The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1866-08-17

ally the prOlOngatlOn OF Mr.. lincoln =
term; to be conducted in all essential
respects upon like principles with
those expected OF Mr.. Lincoln had he
lived, and in unbrukcn harmony with
the Union party to which it was in.
lebted for its existence.
RISE OF POPULAR SUSPICION,
In great measure the Admins.
tration was so conducted until quite
recently, although apprehensions
were more or less excited from time
to time among the loyal people of the
country by the rumors of Cabinet
changes and the reported influence o,
prominent members of the Democrat
ic party upon the President, that sc.
rious differences might arise between
him and the Union party Whatever
fears prevailed in that regard were
allayed 10y the sentiments and 'pur.
poses declared in the Presidents an.
nual message, which gave assurance
to the country that his views on the
subject OF the ebellion, and the treat
mont that should be administered to
the insurgent States and traitors, had
undergone no material change.
Although different opinions between
the President and Congress, in re.
gard to the best mode OF rcconstruc
LIng the Southern States, were antici
patcd by many persons, all assumed ,
from the tone Of the message and the
allegiance owed to the Union party by
the Presidents common with the ma
jority in Congress that no serious iii
vision would be permitted between
them, and that the President, whatcv.
cr might he his objection to particular
measures, would accept the plan Of
reconstruction finally adopted by
Congl css rs the authorized branch of
the Government to determine the
question.
Such was my own conviction at the
time Of the opening Of Congress, and
tor some time thereaiter
The relations between the Prcsi.
dent and the heads Of the Executive
Department, with the Union members
of Congress, were those that exist he
tween members Of the same political
or. anization. The patronage OF the
! Government was chiefly controlled by
such Union members, as it was undel
the Administration of Mr. Lincoln -
The President, while feeling that he
had cause to complain of the criti.
cisms made upon his coduct by GER
tain members Of either House, eX.
pressed no purpose of carrying his
resentment beyond the individuals
who assailedhim.
lie declared his purpose of settling
all differences within the Union par
ty, from which he could be neither
seduced nor driven.
THE FIRST VETO AND THE ACCOMPANY
ING DEFIANCE.
SO firm was the public confidence
IN his purpose to approve the final
action Of Congress, ia the matter OF
reconstruction that it was little affect
ed by his veto OF the first Freedmen :
/ Bureau bill, much as was the disap
probation Of large portion OF th,
Union party at that event. Indeed
but for his speeches a few days there.
after, on the I'D Of February, tho
veto would have made little impres
sion on the country. Interpreted il
the light OF that speech, which wa'
not less unfortunate in some of its cX
Iprcssions than the circumstances un
der which il was made, the veto eX
cited the fears of many rs to the III
innate designs Of the President.
HorEs AND FEARS.
Still the assurance given in Tho
message of his having, with Congress
the strongest desire to secure TO th'
freedmen the full enjoyment of thei
freedom and prosperity, and theii
independence and equality, in making
contracts for their labor, couplet
with the reasons for the veto tina
there was no immediate necessity fo
the measure, and that before the Law
in force ceased to have effect, i'urthe
) experience might assist to guide to
/, wise conclusion rs to the policy to III
adopted in the time Of peace, salts
, fled the country in great part, tha
the Presidents objection applied u
the time, and to particular feature
of this bill, and that he wOnld he pre-
pared to approve a measure OF lik
l purpOrt, not containing like ohjec
= tionablc clauses when the necessiL
G for it should exist. In other word
t his objections to the present bill wa
c not to be taken as indicating oppC
. sition on his part TO the principle o
. which it was based, or for the pul
1 pose it sought. With these assnl
+. ances, neither Congress nor tie 10y
e al people of the country were dis
. posed to withdraw their coniidcnc
c from the President.
J., 1t should be admitted, howevc
!, that there were those who claimed
i enjoy Il large share Of the President
d confidence, and we're not OF the Unio
II party, who prorcsscd TO regard u pc
!. lmancnt breach between him and I'll
d party as certain They seized u
= occasion of the veto of the Freed
mems Bureau bill to rally the Den
ocratic party Of the North to the SUI
port Of the Administration, and Al
l pcaled to the South to JOIN them
e their efforts TO hasten the scpNr
70 ton.
y, ruE COALITION OF 3oCriERS nEDE
AND NoRTiigRN coprERiiEADs.