Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-09-27
Gov. Orr and Gen. sicklcs.

Gov. Orr and Gen. sickles.
The recent course of President johnson
does not find absolute and universal appro-
val even at the South Those who are op-
posed to the paci6cation Of the country Who
,h;nk thew have something 10 make from
continued excitement and disturbance ap-
plsud it A; bat the best class of the late RED
els undoubtedly see clearly that Mr.. john
son has been the worst enemy OF their sec
ton, and that now, by unsettlIng the Work
Of reconstruction when it was quietly and
satisfactorily progressing. be Is doing them
a very poor piece of service. We Ind e'i-
dence OF this in the correspondence, Just
publlshed, between Gov. Orr and Gen. SICK
les. Gov. Orr, leading ex-rebel, and the
presen. governor Of the State oil South Gar
DINA, feels called upon to address Gen. Sick
lee, on his departure from the command OF
the Carolinas, expressing the great regret
which he felt, personally and officially at
the course taken by the President and his
advisers, in this matter. He says
desire to express to you the great regret
winch feel personally and officially at the
course taken by the President and his ad-
wiser, IN this matter. There are many oil
.he orders which have been issued 10y you
since the massage of the Reconstruction Bllls
in March last. which did not meet my ap-
nroval; but il is due TO YOU and TO your
nfHcisl action that | should bear voluntary
testimony TO the wisdom and success OF your
administration, and to express the opinion
that the almost unlimited powers WITH
which YOU were invested by the acts of Con
gress. have been exercised with moderation
and forbearance.
Your General Order No. 10, so far as this
State Is concerned. was, last spring, IN my
opinion, absolutely necessary.
Ii received the approval OF very large ma
ioritv of the citizens Of South Carolina.
and your general administration as COM
mandant of the district Is approved ny a
majority nearly as great.
In all the official intercourse We have had,
beg to tender you nv thanks for the uni
form kindness and courtesy with which |
have been treated personally, and tor the
disposition you have always manifested to
make the burdens of the military govern
ment as light upon the people whom l rep
resent as it was possible under the circum-
Stances.
| have the honor TO be, General, very tru-
" and respectfully your friend and ooedieni
servant, JAS l.. Ohh,
Gov. Of South Carolina.
Gen Sickles in his reply says:
Inmy retirement it is a source of dissatisfaction
to compare the present condition Of South
Carolina with that which found on assum-
ing command in the autumn Of 1865. The
system of free labor has been successfully in
augurated the emancipated blacks have been
invested with civil rights by the voluntary
act OF your Legislature the tranquility and
order which have been maintained attest the
general desire Of all classes OF the people tC
observe the obligations Of good citizens an
abundant harvest has rewarded industry
grain is now exported from Charleston reg
istraiion has proceeded almost 10 completion
without commotIon or tumult, or any serious
interruptions of the ordinary avocatl0ns OF
the people since October, 1850, the courts
of the United States and of the State have
exercised nearly all their ordinary powers
without hindrance. The jurisdiction of the
courts, although permitted jurisdiction
has never been restricted except in particular
cases, imperatlyely demanded by the exigen-
cies of the situation and the civil authori-
ties in general have been upheld. and civil
law has been administered with only such
limitations as become necessary IN the exc
cution Of the several acts Of Congress.
The population Of the Carolinss have not
tried 10 prevent the organization OF legal civ
il governments IN the rebel States, and 1t is
only Just for me 10 state that your own
prompt and patriotic acquiescence IN the re-
q4lrements Of the government relieved the
people yuu represent OF many OF the burdens
of military government. and at the same
time removed some of the most serious i'm
pedIments to the execution OF the rcconstruc-
tion acts in South Carolina.
trust your people will not suffer any det-
riment by reason Of complications for which
they are not responsible. Ii only remains
for them to comply with The conditions pre-
scrbed by Congress, and South Carolina will
soon be restored to the Union with all her
ancient rights and dignity, as a sovereign
State, unimpaired. These conditions have
no other object than to make our institutions
truly republican in substance and form, that
justice may be done and that no occasion or
pretext for conflict may hereafter be found.
There is not, in my Judgment, any sufh-
Gent reason to spprehend that the cOlored
people will not make good citizens. Free
dom and educate are rapidly developing
this long dormant and helpless caste. With
advantages lar inferior 70 the other races
which have found their way to this country,
the African has proved himself loyal, indus
trious and obedient to the laws. Generously
fostered, and justly treated. the freedmen
will become the bone and sinew OF Southern
populluOn and power. With the solution
OF this problem and the disappearance of
the asperitics incident to a long war. the
Csrolinas will enter upon a new career of
prosperity.
am truly YOUR,
- a