Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-09-12
GREAT LETTER.
Y Ward Beecher on Restoration
and Peace.
Total change Of Views--The Lion
changed into a Lamb.

rts softhe Soldiers and Sailors Union
:, svention, to be held at Cleveland,
\Mo. 18th instant, having invited
IP% Henry Ward Beecher to be pres
sut to act as chaplain, the reverend
sAotleman responds as follows:
PEEKsK1LL, Aug. 80.
has. G.. HaIpin, Breuet Brigadier
qhsrQl II. W. SIocum, Major Gen
Gordon Granger, Major General,
I characterization II am obli-
ID to YOU for the invitation which
IN have made to me to act as chap
I'm TO the convention of sailors and
mdiers about to be convened at
(1hveland. | cannot attend it, but L
h.artily wish it and all other conven-
tions, of what party soever, success,
wbose object is the restoration of all
States lately in rebellion to their
l@eral relations.
8Our theory of government has no
ubce for a State except in the Union.
II is Justly taken for granted that the
Mites and responsibilities of State
ID federal relations tend to its political
halth, and to that of the whole ma
tbn. Even territories are hastily
hought in, often the prescribed con-
dItions are fulfilled, as if it were dan
@rous to leave community outside
a the great body polite.
Had the loyal Senators and Repre-
INITIATIVE of Tennessee been admitted
II once on the assembling Of Congress,
nd, in moderate succession, Arkansas,
Aabama, North Carolina and Vir-
6nia, the public mind Of the South
Nould have been far more healthy
iban it is, and those States which
1gered on probation to the last would
bve been under more salutaryinfu-
bee to good conduct than if dozen
&mies watched over them
Every month that we delay this
healthful step complicates the case.
1he excluded population, enough un-
attled before, grow more irritable I;
BE army becomes indispensable to
bcate government, ands upersedes it ;
Dc government at washington is call
ID to interfere in one and another diff
culty, and this will be done inaptly,
an sometimes with great injustices
Afor our government, wisely adapted
b its own proper functions, is utterly
Be7oid of those habits, and unequipped
with the instruments which fit CEN
tralized government to exercise au-
4hority in remote States over local
affairs. Every attempt TO perform
kueh duties has resulted in mistakes
which have excited the nation. But
Fhatever imprudence there may be in
the method, the real criticism should
be against the requisition of such du.
ties of the general government.
The federal government is unfit to
exercise minor police and local gov
ernment, and will inevitably blunder
when it attempts it. TO keep half a
Score of States under federal author.
ity, but without nationalities and re.
sponsibilities, to oblige the central
athority to govern half the territory
, of the Union by federal civil officers
and by the army, is policy not only
uncongenial to our ideas and princi
pies, but prominently dangerous tC
the spirit of our government. How
ever humane the ends sought and tht
motives, it is, in fact, course of in
struction preparing our government
10 be despotic, and familiarizing th,
people to a stretch OF authority whicl
Can never be other than dangerous Il
liberty.
/ am aware that good men ar
withheld from advocating the promp
and successive admission of the exile'
States by the fear, chiefly, of its eflcc
npon parties and upon freedom.
1t is said that if admitted to Con
gress, the Southern Senators and Rep
resentives will coalesce with Northern
democrats and rule the country. l
this a nation, then, to remain dismem
bered to serve the ends of parties
Have we learned no wisdom by tn
history of the last ten years, in whicl
y Just this course of sacrificing the ma
tion 10 the exigencies of parties plung
ed us into rebellion and war;
Even admit that the power woul
pass into a party made up OF South
ern men, and the hitherto dishonore
and misled democracy of the North
that power could not be used just a
they pleased. The war has changed
not alone institutions, but ideas. Tn
whole country has advanced. Publ
sentiment is exalted far beyond wha
ithas been at any formerperiod. Aney
party would, like river, be oblige,
TO seek its channels in the alread.
existing slopes and forms Of the con
tinent.
We have entered a nevy oro of iher