Litchfield enquirer., 1867-03-07
WHOLE NO. 223l.
LETTER FROM FIX GOV. BROWN ON
 @ RECONSTRUCTION. 11as

]. ATLANTA, Ga, Feb. 2s Ex- faass Hraurn f of athls city will publish in the papers of tomorrow morning, three column letter. reviewing the political situation of the country, and advising the people of aGeor- gia to accept the terms imposed by the bill recently passed by both Houses of Congress. He says: "It only remains for me to add that consider it the duty of the Governor of Georgia to call the Legis- lature together without delay, and to re- commend the passage of an act calling a convention of the people of this State so to change our State Constitution as to pro
 vide for universal suffrage in conformity
 with the measure which has passed Con
 gress, known as the Sherman amend
 ment, , and to provide for the early cleo
 tlon of Legislature, which will adopt the
 Constitutional Amendment in accordance
 with said requirement.. We now have the
 assurance of Congress in the passage of this bill, that this shall settle the question of our admission. We shall never get better terms. Let us comply with them, and be ready to be presented in the next Congress, as soon as possible. I respect fully suggest that the people of the seve- ral counties of this State, who favor the proposed Convention, hold public meetings with as little delay as possible, and urge upon the Governor to convene the Legis-
 lature and recommend them to take prompt action. The Governor and Legislature were elected before the Constitutional Amendment was proposed, and respect fully submit that it is their imperative du- ty i'll the present condition of the Coun- try, to take the necessary steps to refer this question to the people at the ballot-box.
 The most appropriate way of doing this is to order an election for delegates to con- vention to act upon the proposition now submitted by Congress- This they cannot
 with propriety refuse if the people de- mand 1t. Let the people speak. If the State will adopt this line of policy, and tho Convention will memorabilia Congress, asking that the Judges, County officers and others, necessary to the efficient working of the State Government be relieved from the provisions of the Constitutional amend ment, believe the petition, if presented ln proper spirit, will be granted, and we shall soon be relieved of much of the gloom which IS now widespread over the whole South. If we reject the terms proposed in the Sherman bill, l confess I see no hope for the future. Should we accept them, I trust the example of Georgia may be fol lowed by other States, and that this vexed question may soon be permanently settled upon the best terms which we will ever be able to get. am aware of the rapidity of the changes which we are required to make,
 and of the natural prejudices which our people entertain against negro suffrage,
 but we should not forget that in yielding
 to an inevitable necessity, that these peo- pie were raised among us, and naturally sympathize with us. Their conduct dur ines tha --ar larn1rad 4laia-.T If than Iva frao& them kindly, pay them their wages prompt ly and in all respects deal justly by them, we shall seldom have cause to complain of their refusal to respect our wishes or con- suit our interest at the ballot-box. As the questions which have discussed are of vii tai importance to the whole country, and as do not wish to be misunderstood or misrepresented, respectfully request the
 editor of each newspaper who comments
 upon my letter, to give it entire to his read CTS. This is due alike to me and to the
 the public. Praying that the God who
 rules the Universe may speedily bring or der out of confusion, and send his richest blessings upon our whole country, I am,
 very respectfully, your obedient servant,
 JOSEPH E. BROWN.