The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-05-05
Gen. Dix's~ Letter.
NEW YORK, April %.

NEW YORK, April 70.
J. L. DoucLAs, Esq, Chairman, sc.
DEAR SIR-If It were in my power, it
would afford me great pleasure to accept the
invitation ysu gave me yesterday to attend
the meeting to be held in Brooklyn this eve
ming, to sustain the policy of President John
son 10 regard to tho southern states lately in
rebellion.
In the general scope of his views l fully
concur. From an early period after the
close of the war, it was understood that,
when those states should have given their
assent 10 the amendment abolishing slavery
and repudiated the debts contracted to over
throw the government. they should be per
mitted 20 resume their places in the Union
and to be represented In both houses of con-
gress. The exaction of new conditions is a
violation of that understanding and is calcu-
lated to prolong the separation of the states
against which we carried on for four years a
sanguinary war, and to widen breach
which it is our duty by all just and practical
measures to repair and heal.
That there viii be, for a long time to come,
much hostile feeling at the south, must be
expected as a necessary consequence of the
war. But it is in the power of each house
| of congress TO refuse to receive as represent
| etives, persons who are not loyal to the I'm
| ion, and thus to exclude from all participa-
| ton in the enactment of laws those who
would be disposed to pervert the Legislation
of the country TO its injury. The right
| course is very clear to NY own Judgment
| 1t seems to me TO be utterly incompatible
with the principles Of our political orgsniza-
| ton to exercise In peace a control over the
| affairs of any state which is not represented
IN the legislative body. The existing condi.
ton of things is anomalous, and should for
the general good be terminated as speedily
as possible. Whatever inconvenience may
result from the prompt admission of the
| southern representatives, l can find none &c
| prejudicial in their influence, as the exam
Pile, under a representative system like ours,
Of denying to one-fourth of the people of the
country voice in their own government.
In view of the great public interest In
volved in a speedy restoration of the states
quo ante belluns. and laying aside, as every
patriotic citizen should, all personal and par
| ty considerations, / deeply deplore the diff
ference of opinion which exists between the
| executive and legislative branches of the
| government, and continues to prevent con
| currence in some common plan of adjustmen
| which will re establish the former relation,
| of the states to each other, and leave the tai
ent and industry of the country free to work
out the prosperity it is destined to attain.
Believing the policy of the president bes
calculated to serve this result, it is my earn
est desire that it may be carried out.
| When we shall have done all that Justice
! good faith and an enlightened view of thu
general welfare require of US, We may count
with the more confidence ON the good sense
and the patriotism of the people in all SEQ
| sions of the Union to sustain our political in
situations. While have always deemed ii
right that some of the leading msp who plot
ted the rebellion and set it ON foot should re
ceive the punishment due to their crimes,
am OF opinion that it is both polite and jus
to bring back into the Union as speedily at
| possible, the great body of the southern PEG
pie who were forced or deluded into a treas
enable resistance to the authority of the gov
eminent. Necessary reforms in our com
mercial and financial systems. and the pro
| lection of international interests the mos
urgent and delicate, concur in pressing upon
us speedy settlement of our domestic dis
| sensions.
l am truly yours, JOHN A. DIX.