New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-08-12

IN
seciort courae of training that the negroes among M
suscentibe Of attaining to the same state OF
virtue and civilization which the WHITES nv go .to
IL does not prove that they are now IN pun
equals of the white in these
of GOOD citizenship and wise self government anu NJ
did man will 80 insist But being as you go 80
i he. ot,ro Won draw the conclusion lna' oenB Heo'
.,T 80 tho richt 10 vote Women are free, ana also
intelligent and yrtuOus, yet they are io "ui " to
ballot large majority OF Foreigners aie eN'
cent and virtuous, yet they are denleu INC H"non0
-. g. years Of resident probation Thousands OF Doys'
a, s years Of age are intelligent ard vrtuous yet they
are nostponed to the age Of q years The cooeo Peo
- 70 nearly all the Northern States are de-
ted the elective franchise, and where they are
not they enjoy qualified suffrage only why
an tbisY It simply proves that matter what may be
your abstract philosophical views OF equality between
the races the predominant sentiment OF the Northern
peopleis that freedom and equatydo necessarily
carry along with them the right tovote that they regard
the elective franchise boon TO be bestowed by the
respective States upon those only who, 1t Is believed
will use wisely and we'll Now are the negroes OF the
South more intelligent and viruOus than those OF the
North No well informed man, who will be candid can
assert the affirmative On the contrary believe That
the free negroes of the North are the more intelligent
and therefore, better qualified to judiciOusy the
right of suffrage Why they excluded from the ballot
box while those of the South admitted at the point
Of the bayOnet4 This Inconsistency clearly demonstrates
that those power recreant TO the principles they
profess II they believe the principle right ana saceu
they should make it universally applicable H. on INC
other hand they believe am sure the masses az tc
North do believe that the application OF the principe III
the Northern States incompatible with good GorrHmeR
then they ought enforce it in the South Tor the ann
of the true statesman is to promote good 0orerme III
all the states.
The Congressional scheme of reconstruction is based
upon the assumption that the ten prescribed States are
without good government-that lawlessness prevails
that life and property insecure and the Republican
press and leaders assert that loyal citizens especially
those from the North are abused prosecuted ormented
threatened. and sometimes murdered This whole
assumption untrue There is less lawlessness In the
South than I'm the North the laws faithfully executed
by our Courts Of udicature and evenhanded justice Is
meted out TO white and black. Wewelcome enterpHslng
good people among us from any quarter We earnestly
wish them to come with their capital energy, and enter
prise to aid us in developing our resources
and reestablshng our lost prosperity. But they do
not come Nor Will they come, until tranquility, upon
sound principles of craftsmanship shall be restored IL
is great mistake to suppose that the consumma'loh o
the Sherman programme of reconstruction VIII induce
them TO come 1t may bring trading politicians of so in
feror type that they cannot obtain Office at home Ihey
will come TO traffic for the black mans vote In the hope
of making their salt by the emoluments Of Office But
the honest Woodworking mechanic the capitalist ana
the manufacturer Will cast their destiny ana hz
ard their fortunes in any State that is under negro 40
mnion IL seems to be supposed by many that If these
States be once restored to representation in Congress all
will be we'll and that prosperity will follow as matter
of course Never was there more fatal mistake There
is no certainty of States being represented IN Con
cress il we adopt the plan of recOnstructOn-t Is not
even promised will such admission DIng gOou gov
erument TO the several States. The Sherman scheme VIII
certainly result in bad government which Congressional
representation has no necessary tendency TO cure And
1 repeat there can be prosperity for any people
cursed with bad government Capital, energy, and enter
prise will shun it.
Ihave written much than intended when be-
gan But have written in spirit OF the most perfect
frankness and kindness. have much more that Wish
10 saw but fear / may take too much space in your
columns IT, indeed you should deem ii proper to publish
what have said Respectfully, your obedent servant
HERscHEL V, JOHNSON.
Auo,Std Ga, Aug. G, 1867.