Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-11-07
From thc New Yck Tribune.
RECONSTRUCTION.
lfffr from tire non. FEerscheI v.
Johnson, OF Georgia.
NJ Elilor III "a Tribnne; /;

srR: Several days absence from tht
\. and business engagements, hav,
vented an earlier acknowledgment
your courtesy, in publishing my
Ter Of the 9th ult. | respectfully
a place in your columns for reply
h is very desirable that a better
derstanding between the Northern
Southern people should be brought
out This can be done only through
u press, which your Iiberality, in
Is instance, tends to promote. Per.
ps each section misunderstands the
Der. In the North, the South is SUP.
Bed TO be contumacious, and untrue
the Union. In the South, the North
4 regarded as untrue TO the Constitu.
bn, and determined to impose on us
erms of reconstruction that are de-
fading and despotic. 1t may be that
VA utual misconception exists, and.
ewing each other through the media
M passion and prejudice, the obstacles
harmonious and good understand
tg are greatly magnified If they
puld, as it were, be brought tace to
ice, ana consider the causes of dsa-
reement and discomfort in the spirit
candor and concilimtion, who can
1ly that some common ground OF
Increment, satisfactory to both, might
Dt be discovered Ii is in this tenn
r ! venture again TO trespass upon
BUR kind indulgence.
VI The quarrel between the two sec.
pms has been as bitter since the war
the war was fierce while it ragged.
hrely this ought not to be so. The
4 ght having ceased, the quarrel should
base. The vanquished are entitled to
agnanimity and justice, and the vic
prious can afford TO practice these
toble virtues That war has decreed
bat we shall live together under the
name flag. We are the successors of
common political ancestry; we have
y common interest in the memory of
Fur past career; we are inevitably
iuked to common destiny. For
whatever shall be tho fate of the South
|mill finally be the fate of the North.
s. long as we continue to be one peo-
ple, under one Government, its bless
bugs or its curses will ultimately be
distributed throughout the entire ex-
|tent of our territorial limits. The
North cannot permanently enjoy more
liberty than the South, and the mis-
guided policy that shall oppress us,
Though it may, for a time, be unfelt at
hhe North, will finally result in the
overthrow of the Constitution, and
end in despotism. The cancer that
appears on the smallest extremity,
may confne itself to the point of at
tack for many years, but it will vitiate
the blood, and at last produce death,
The North, in its power, may force its
policy upon the desolated, overpow-
cred and almost impoverished South ;
it may dictate to us State governments
repugnant to the wishes and senti-
ments Of the great majority of her in
telligent people; it may enthrone the
negro race in the position of superior
ity and dominion over the white, by
the power of the bayonet; it may
open the doors CT Federal legislation
to members who will represent igno-
rance and depravity, and call this re
construction of the Union. But ! fear
it will be merely crusting over the
smothered fires Of the volcano Ag-
gression never relents; !. its appetite is
never satiated and when it has riv-
eied chains upon US, and has nothing
more to do, think you it will pause in
its march or return TO the track OF
wisdom, justice and moderation Not
unless human nature is changed not
unless all history is fable not unless
the philosophical relation between
cause and effect has ceased. Aggres-
sion is never at rest until, like Alex
ander, il has accomplished its scheme
of aggrandizement, and then, like
Alexander, il weeps because there is
no other field for conquest. The only
safety is in arresting it, if possible, in
the beginning
While thus characterize the policy
Of reconstruction which is being so
fercely pressed, as aggresslve,1 shall
not assail the patriotism Of its authors.
/ combat erroneous measures of bad
Craftsmanship. / protest against them
as oppressive aud unconstitutional,
whether so designed or not. ] enter
my feeble appeal in behalf Of good
gouerHment. plead for constitutional
rights, for the equality Of the States,
for Union of c0nSent-not of force.
In my letter of the 10th ult., | called
the ten States, under military govern
ment, "prOscribed States" You take
me up on that. Well, suppose used
the wrong term, docs that prove they
are not entitled TO self government
Does il show they should be put under
negro dominion at the point of the
bayonet According TO American
IDEAS Of liberty, the right Of selfgov-
ernment is inherent in the people, and
It's disregard is tyranny.
But | think | designated them "the
ten prescribed States" In your judg
ment they are not ''proscribcd," but
that their misrepresentation in Con
gress is their own act, because "they
went out on their own motion" Ii is
true they attempted to "going out !
but the North said they should not,
and maintained their resolve by the
sword. Hence these States we're never
but Of the Union. Congress has al
ways so held and so legislated. The
laws Of taxation, pussed during the
war, are being enforced. The Federal
Judiciary is regularly organized and
performing its appropriate functions