The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-13
HENRY WARD BEECHER
ON THE
CLETEL1ND CONVECTION.

The Executive Committee having in
charge the preparations for the National
Convention of Soldiers and Sailors to be
held in Cleveland on September 18th,
notified Henry Ward Beecher, of his
appointment as Chaplain to the Con-
vention. In reply that gentleman writes
rs follows:
PEEKsKILL. Aug. 80, 1866.
Charles G. Huipine, Breret Hrigddier
General; II. w ,Siocuna, Mfyor Gene
rol; Gordon Granger, Major General,
Committee.
GENTLEMEN / am obliged to YOU
for the invitation which you have made
me to act as Chaplain to the Convention
of Soldiers and Sailors about to convene
at Cleveland. | cannon attend it. but ]
heartily wish it and all other Con-
Ventions whatsoever, success, whose
object is the restoration Of the States
late in rebellion to their Federal re-
lations.
Our theory of Government has no
place for a State except in the Union. 1t
is Justly taken for granted that the
duties and responsibilities of State in
federal relations tend to its political
health, and to that of the whole nation.
Even Territories are hastily brought in,
often before the prescribed conditions
are fulfilled, as II it was dangerous to
leave a community outside the great
body polite.
Had the loyal Senators and Repre-
sentatives of Tennessee been admitted
at once on the assembling of Congress,
and in moderate succession, Arkansas,
Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and
Virginia, the public mind of the South
would have been far more healthy than
it is, and those States which fingered on
probation to the last would have been
under more salutary influence to good
conduct than if dozen armies watched
over them.
Every month that we delay this health
full step complicates the case. The ex-
cluded population, enough unsettled
before. grow more irritable; the army
becomes indispensable to local govern
ment, and super~edes it; the Govern
ment at Washington is called to inter-
fere in one and another difficulty, and
this will be done inaptly, and some
times with great injustice-for our Gov
eminent, wisely adapted to its own
proper functions, is utterly devoid OF
these habits, and unequipped with the
Instruments, which fit centralized
government III cAeIClSS NitiiViItS ~
remote States over local affairs. Every
attempt to perform such duties has re,
suited in mistakes which have excited
the nation. But, whatever imprudence
there may be in the method, the real
criticism should be against the requisites
of such duties of the General Govern
ment. I he Federal Government is unit
exercise minor polieean local govern
nent, and will inevitably blunder when
it attempts it. To keep a half score OF
States under Federal authority, hui
withou national tiesand responsibilities
to oblige the central authority, to govern
half the territory OF the Union by Fede
raj civil officers and by the army, is
policy not only uncongenial to our ideas
and principles, but pre-enIlnently dan
gerotls to the spirit oil our government
However humane the ends sought ant
the motives, it is, in fact course OF in
struction, preparing our government t
be despotic, and famiiarizing the people
ton stretch o authority which can neye
be other than dangerous to liberty.
l am aware that good men are WIN
held from advocating the prompt ant
successive admission of the exied State
by the fear, chiefly, OF its effect upon TN
parties. and upon the freedmen.