Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-03-01
THE souTnEnN STATES.
Letter from En- Coz. Broom, Of Georgia. on
Reconstruction.

Ex-Governor Brown, of Georgia, publishes
n letter. reviewing the political situation oil
the country, and advising the people OF ueoI,
gia to accept the terms imposed by the VII
recently passed by both Houses OF Congress-
He says.
at only remains for me to add that CON
slider it The duty OF the Governor oil Georgla
to call the Legislature together without ue-
lay, and TO recommend the passage oil an
act calling convention of the people OF TINS
State, so to change our State Constitution as
to provide for universal suffrage in conlor,
nifty with the measure which has passeu
Congress known as the fisherman amend
ment," aud to provide for the early eleetloh
OF Legislature which will adopt the Con
stitutonal Amendment in accordance with
said rcqur ement.
1--WE now have the assurance OF Congress
in the passage of this bill, that this snail
settle the question OF our admission. we
shall never get better terms. Let us comply
with them, and be ready to be represented IN
the next Congress as soon as possible.
respectfully suggest that the people OF the
several counties of this State, who favor the
proposed convention, hold public meetings
with as little delay as possible, and urge
upon the Governor 10 convene the Legisla-
ture and recommend them to take prompt
action.
"The Governor and Legislature were elect
| ed before the Constitutional Amendment was
proposed, and ! respectfully submit that 1t is
their imperative duty in the present eondi-
| ton of the country, TO take the necessary
steps to refer this question to the people at
4 the ballot-box. The most appropriate way
OF doing this is to order an election Tor dele
gates to a convention TO act upon the propo-
sition now submitted by Congress. rus
they cannot with propriety refuse, IL the
people demand IL.
"Let the people speak. Ii the State will
adopt this line OF policy, and the Convention
will memorable Congress, asking that the
Judges County Officers, and others neees-
sary to the efficient working of the State
Government be relieved from the provisions
of the Constitutional Amendment, believe
the petition, il presented in proper spirit,
will be granted, and we shall soon be reiey-
ed of much OF the gloom which Is now wide
spread over the whole South.
"Ii we reject the terms proposed in the
Sherman bill, confess see no hope for the
future. Should we accept them trust the
example of Georgia may be followed ny
other States, and that this vexed question
may soon be permanently settled upon the
best terms which we will ever be able to get.
I am aware of the rapldity of the changes
which we are required to make, and of the
: natural prejudices which our people enter.
tain against negro suffrage, but we should
not forget that In yielding 10 an lneVltaDle ne
cessity, that these people were raised among
us and naturally sympathize with us. Theil
conduct during the war proved this. II thet
we treat them kindly, pay them their wage
5 promptly, and in all respects deal justly by
/ them, we shall seldom have cause to com
+ plain of their refusal TO respect our wishe
. or consult our interest at the ballot-box.
e LAS the questions which | have discussed
d are of vital Importance to the whole country
+ and as do not wish to be misunderstood o
l. misrepresented, respectfully request til
u editor of each newspaper who comment
0. upon my letter to giveit entire to his readers
ID This is due alike to me and to the public.
"Praying that the God who rules the UNI
verse may speedily bring order out of CONT
70 sion, and send His richest blessings upon Ou
re whole country, am, very respectfully, you
u obedent servant,
III "JosEPn Il. BROWN