The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-03-15
The Situation.

There is a manifest improvement in the
political situation Of the country, and a
material Tightening up of the cloud of des-
pondency, that has weighed upon the 10y
al hearts of the country for the past two or
three weeks. 1t has been found that a
difference of opinion as to the means OF
arriving at about the same goal can exist
between the Legislative and Executive
branches of the government, when both are
honest in their devotion to the great princi-
pies of Freedom, without disrupting the
great U niou. party, whose patriotism has SO
safely and successfully carried the country
through the perils and dangers Of the great
est civil war of modern times.
True, an irresponsible and perfectly reck-
less minority. who throughout the great
rebellion proved their utter want of patrl-
otism by mpathizing with and encour-
aging the enemies Of the country, have done
their best to distract and divide the friends
| of the Union, aud have succeeded III thor
oughly alarming some of the more nervous
and excitable natures, on both sides, who
are still laboring under the impression that
dire misfortune must come. ., .,.a,,4
The copperhead faction of the democracy,
that was so jubilant at the prospect OF an
lirreconcilable difference between the Presl-
dent and the party that elected him, begin
to see that they were wide of the mark, III
their calculations they bave already found
that although the President may differ in
some points with his best friends he is
bound to have no part nor lot with those
who have proved to the world their recreaI-
cy to the principles that underlie the Union
and the Constitution,
To say that zoe rejoice in this improved
state of feeling, is but giving expression to
the public heart throughout this section OF
our common heritage, at least In the en-
counter of opinions, We think the majority
in Congress have shown. and do show an
admirable aud patriotic spirit. While the
pressure from without for a widening of the
breach has not been light nor inconstant
members Of both Houses have preserved a
lconmendable moderation and decorum. And
while the President has been egged on,
to use a common phrase, to carry the wal
into Africa aud to commence the distribu
ton Of places Of honor and trust to his
would-be copperhead friends of such blatant
professions he as not wavered in his adj
herence to the party that elected him. The
democratic party have been lavish of it,
promises Of support and pliancy to do his
bidding if the President would only give il
chance. But in no single instance thai
we have heard Of, has patronage or place
been taken from Union man to make an
opening for copperhead, nor has place
been given to single individual Of thai
persuasion
Among the causes that have contributed
probably, more than all others to alay tht
1 growing Impotence, upon both sides are
the facts that have been developed through
the testimony taken by the Committee or
Reconstruction. The evidence of Gen
Thomas has been made use of by both radi
Gals and conservatives. as their own pecu-
liar thunder respectively. The fact is,
Gen. Thomas testimony as far as it relates
to Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi is de-
cidedly in favor of the views of Congress,
but SO far as it relates to Tennessee, it forms
an equally strong argument in favor of the
Presidents position.
Gen. Thomas, in his testimony before the
Committee says
The people of Alabama are extremely
anxious to be under the Constitution of the
United States, and to have that State in its
regular positionin the Union, but they are
not yet personally friendly to Union men.
lam inclined tothink that very small
proportion Of them would be willing to sac.
rltlce their property and interests in the
South for the sake of the Union. They did
not dc it before. 1t is fair to presume that
they would adhere to the advancement of
their own interests in preference to the in
terests of the National Government.
In some portions Of North Alabama the
public sentiment is decidedly in favor of
the Government In other portions of the
State think the sentiment of the people
may be expressed in this way If they
thought they coDlo establish Southern
Contederacy they would prefer it; but as
there seems no hope of that, they desire to
live under the Constitution of the United
States There is in Alabama a decided
disloyal sentiment, though | think the In
ion sentiment predominates in MANY ,or.
tions of the State.
In the elections that have taken Mace in
that state, there were two distinct nart;es
i'll Northern Ala bama, and the Union can1
didates for Congress were defeated.
1 think the successful candidates in Cen
trai and Southern Alabama were either off
GERS OF the rebel army or active working
rebels
| do not think it would be expedient to
remove the troops until the people show
that they are themselves willing and de-
termlned to execute the Law with impartial
justice to all parties.
II the national troops and the Freed
men bureau were removed from Alabama
at this time | do not believe that the freed
men or that Union men would have iustice
done them
Men who, during the war, had been
avowed Union men, unless they had very
warm friends could not live i'll the State -
They would be annoyed so much in various
ways that they could not live there in any
peace or comfort.
do not think that the condition of the
State of Georgia differs materially from that
81 o.. Afaoama There may be there some
thing more of personal hatred towards the
negro in his relation asa freedman, but
hat has been easily controlled through the
freedmen's Bureau, and that feeling is
Improving in all the States.
The people of Mississippi appear to me to
'e more 1mpulsive, and more prone metand
Up for and assert their opinions.
Thus far the evidence of Gen. Thomas is