The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-11
THE NEW YORK PRESS.
EDITORIAL oPEIONs OF THE LRADlNe JOURNALS
uPoE CURRENT ToPIos-ooMPIED EVERY
nav FOR THR EVENING TRLBGRAPHs
a.ot,oraI ReIatIons Practical Progress
of RecOnstructtOn.

In Judging of the progress OF RECONSTRUCTION
we are accustomed to consider the subject WIN
n too exclusive reference to the formal action
required by the terms of the law. By that
action. of course, the time and form of South
ern reconstruction will necessarily be gov
erned. The law prescribes conditions and
provides the power to apply them, and the
faith of Congress and of the Republican party
is pledged to abide by them as the only oondi-
Gions of restoration. In this sense their para
mount importance iustifes the care with Whlch
each succeeding step of the military COM
,nanders Is watched, and the anxious scrutiny
which is bestowed upon every fresh manitesta-
aion of local opinion.
And vet the law cannot reach more than the
form and technicalities of reconstruction. IL
may insure regularity and in manner COM
pleteness; it may provide the stipulated guar
antees for future peace and loyalty, ana may
thus do all that was contemplated by leglsla-
tion to make reconstruction just, safe, and
effectual. After all, however, the essence of
true unity and safety must be sought in other
directions, and must be promoted by other
agencies. ''The letter killeth, the spirit giveth
life" Behind the law, and beyond the sphere
of its influence, lies the feeling of the people,
which alone will afford the measure Of success
plan. For all genuine purposes of the Union,
1t is essential that the great majority OF the
Southern people be converted and in spirit
conciliated, with view to the rsGstablshment
of sectional harmony, and the cultivation OF
those friendly relations which imply commu-
nifty of sentiment and interest. otherwise,
reconstruction will bring back elements OF dis
cord and renewal of contests which every
Unionist desires to render impossible.
1t is from this point of view that the crimi
nal folly Of those who are inventing new
demands and forging fresh fetters for the
South becomes apparent. That course were
well enough if the understood policy of the
country were to treat the Southern States as
conquered provinces for an indefinite period.
It would be perfectly in accordance with
policy designated to foster irritation by pro-
longing an era of coercion. Inasmuoh, how
ever, as this policy has been in effect repudi-
ated by Congress, and is most assuredly repu-
dated by the country, the result to be aimed
at is the promotion of reconstruction under
the law, with no fnrther exercise of coer-
cion than may be absolutely needful How
much is needful, and how it will be applied,
are questions which each Military Commander
must in q great degree determine for himself;
this fact being always remembered, that the
exercise of undue authority, or the gratuitous
display of military rule, is calculated to inn
pede that real work of reconstruction which
We have the testimony of competent and
not over-hiendly witnesses, that the disposi-
tion manifested at the South is indicative of a
more thorough and gratifying change than
might at first sight appear probable. OF the
formal progress of reconstruction we learn
from official sources, and it is nearly all that
could be desired. OF the practical and abiding
progress which is measured by the current of
popular sentiment, Senator Wilson and Judge
Kelley speak, after enjoying ample opportuni-
ties Of observation; and they testify that the
great body of the Southern people return to
The Union, not sullenly and reluctantly, but
with heartiness that implies sincere accept
ance of the situation. They realize the terrible
blunder of the Rebellion, and honestly accept
the conditions which precede restoration. We
infer from the reported remarks of Messrs.
Wilson and Kelley that, in their judgment, the
real reconstruction of opinion, as distinguished
from technical reconstruction in obedience to
the law, is progressing satisfactorily.
This change is undoubtedly strengthened by
The pressure of material interest and by the
growing acquaintance with Northern men.
The South has learned that rebellion is ruin,
and it is rapidly learning that recovery from
ruin can be attained only through the Union.
Its people feel that the North is able and will
ing TO relieve them from the distress which
Overshadows them, and that nothing hinders
their approach to prosperity but the obstacles
which stand between them and reconstruction.
The response to appeals for Southern
relief has helped to produce this altered feel
ing. 1t has shown that the North is neither
harsh nor ungenerous, and we believe the
Charleston Mercury when it states that the
circumstance is appreciated by the South.
The needs of industry and business in that
section are exerting an influence yet more
powerful. Its people see that the money they
lack is idle because of its abundance at the
North and they see also that Northern capi-
talists are ready to assist them the moment
q restored Union becomes an accomplished
fact. conscious identity of interest is there
fore, spreading at the South and its influence
promises to be more potent, because more
universal, than that of the politicians. Even
now it is bringing forth good fruit. Virginia,
the Carolinas, Alabama, and other States find
themselves the theatre of shrewd observation
and practical inquiry which promise to be the
prelude to an influx of capital and enterprise
They discover that the means and the will are
waiting to develop their vast mineral resources
to people their farming lands with workers
and 10 turn to profitable account the magnif
cent water power, in the possession of which
the South is superior to all other portions o
the country. In a word, they are finding ou
the available worth of the resources which
were never more than fractionally profitable
nnder save-labor but which will insure pros
perity so soon as the removal of political dif
dculties shall make the interests of North anC
South in all respects identical.
This increasing personal inter-communica
lion produces corresponding effect upon tn
minds of large and influential class at tn
North. From several States, especially iron
Virginia, we hear of parties Of capitalists search
for inVastmant9 and anazad ~ tI,a amman