The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-07-31
Gen sickies On Reconstruction.
We find the following letter from Gen. Sickles il
le National Intelligencer Of the 10th


the National Intelligencer Of the 10th
CHARLESTON, s. c., July S, 1857.
Ny Dear Sri have decided not to begin regis
tration in this district until Congress determines who
shall be registered trust therefore, that il will be
the pleasure Of Congress to extend the time for the
completion of my registration until say, October or
November. If proceed now and disregard the wishes
of the President my action would be regarded in
subordination; if I follow his intimations, many
would probably be registered not eligible according
to the true Interpretation Of the acts of Congress-
If it is meant that all who have held any Objected
eral State or muniepal-havng taken an oath Of of
flee to support the Constitution of the United States
and afterwards engaged in rebellion, given aid and
comfort ETC., disfranchised this should be ex-
pressly declared otherwise if left to construction it
may be held that other officers are included than
those classes enumerated in article VI OF the Consti-
tution and that as to these full pardon removes
the disqualification.
fit is meant to exclude lawyers they should be
pressly mentioned, else described by some cassif-
cation as for example, after the word Office, add
"any licensed calling or employment or profession T"
Otherwise If the eligibility of lawyers be left
staucion it may be held that lawyer is not public
officer, although functonary of court or other ju-
dicial body.
The truth is, we have now in operation two dis
tnct systems, originated by Congress- and engrafed
upon the Presidents plan of reconstruction. The first
congressional plan is expressed in the Howard constI
tutional amendment, leaving suffrage to be regulated
by the several States aud imposing upon certain clas-
ses of persons disqualification for Office, punish
ment for rebellion and safeguard for the future.
That plan having been refused by the rebel States,
Congress passed the reconstruction acts which forms
second scheme of reconstruction, entirely distinct in
principle and plan from the former.
In the second plan Congress assumes control of the
question Of suffrage, which is extended to all who can
take the prescribed oath; and also enorces the dis
qualification for Office, which would have been the
penal and conservative feature of the first plan Now
it seems to me that the conservative guarantee
against reaction is the addition made to the loyal vote
BY the enfranchisement Of the colored people. That
being one the occasion for the disqualification clause
ceases. Hence the true solution, believe is to de-
clare, with universal suffrage, general amnesty
naming the exceptions.
A more liberal amnesty is in my Judgment essen
tal to the Of the congressional plan OF recon
structon. It will enlarge the range of popular choice
for the important judicial executive, and legislative
departments of the State governments, otherwise in
conveniently confined to classes very few of whom
fit to hold office. The people surely be entrusted
to Judge and select from those who took part i'll the
rebellion the men at qualified and sincere in their
adhesion to the new order of things. Such men, be-
ing egle to Office, will have motives to identify them
selves with reconstruction and to support the views
Of the majority. Now, more than ever, men Of abi
ity and experience in public business needed for
the State governments in the South; and it is truly
unfortunate tndt at SUCH d ulOuleHL Heitly WHO
know anything Of public affairs, and especially those
who could fill judicial stations DISTINGUISHED This
exposes the experiment of general suffrage dess
hazards. If the experiment fail, it is most likely to
fail from the inability Of the people to put in office
those who could and would assure success.
1t would have been advantageous perhaps to have
removed many disaffected persons, especially judges
sherifs and magistrates, in tile execution OF the sixth
section of the act of I'd of March, if competent
cessors could have been found among those who are
eligible to Office; and would regard the possession
now Of wider field Of choice for civil officers one
of the most effective instrumentaities in the execu-
ton of the military authority conferred upon district
commanders.
Asit is, l find myself prevented, viii the people
by and by, from securing for the public service
Of aptitude and character, whose repentance is
tain as the devotion of the consistent loyalist.
In truth the zeal of some of the converts the
discretion of many of the faithful With reference
other practical suggestions, it might be useful if Con-
gress by Of its committees nterrogated the COM
manding officers of the several districts upon the op-
Grafton Of the reconstruction acts and the further e
gislation required. Very respectfully,
D. f. SICKLEs.