Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-05

I know, been disavowed by the Government.
With the War Department in all that has
Of my once show the most perfect accord.
Nothing has been done Of which immediate
and fuli informa ion has not been given 10 the
proper proper sa ssu'hoI,iy Nothing has been done
winch mas not always been conceded as
properly SUBJECT 10 review, modification, or
revocation by competent authority. Nothing
OF all tsat has been done has pro
voEed ofhclai censure or elected any
official suggestion requiring the modification
of my orders: and nothing which al first may
have seemed question able, has failed TO re-
eeive official approval, after a full explanation
OF the circumstances which led TO the measure.
This statement, strictly true as tar as ths exis-
tence OF this District is concerned, may be ex-
tended 10 the whole period of ume-now some
" Bat prctracted-duriDg which I have exer-
cised command IN the Carolinas. with perhaps
the single exception of the following instance:
In 1896, with view to conform the penal
code, Of the rebel territory committed 10 nv
command, 10 the dictates OF humanity as well
as TO prevent the wholesale disfran ch isensnt
OF loyalist black And white attempted by GER
tain political managers, pronibied the pun
ishment of whipping as penalty for offences
This order was suspended by the Executives
but the aw-making branch CT the Govern
ment subsequently sdopted my prohibition.
have great satisfaction in reporting thst
The present condition OF affairs In the Caro-
hnas Is one Of peace and order OF general
security toapersons and properly, OF gradual
restoration in material welfare; OF increased
comfort and prosperous industry have lifted
the people of my District from that deep gloom.
distress, and may well say despair, in which
l met them when placed here in command. 1t
IS because OF this improved condition of Al
fairs, that the execution OF the recent measures
OF Congress, designed for the future govern
Bent OF these STATES, is proceeding IN Ali re-
spects most satsfa etorily.
The people Of the Caroiinas are at this mo.
ment accomplishing the first OF the two great
tests which are presented to othem-registration
and electiou-without the slightest show or
violence or tumuit. A spectacle is daily pre-
sented at the different precincts, OF men Of diff
ferent castles, and OF all classes placing their
names on the registry OF voters. without strife
or disorder. that but q short time since would
have been considered as involving inevitable
conflict and blOodshed.
And, If existing orders and regulations re-
main in force, there are no sufficient grouuds
10 appIehend any serious interruption Of the
tranquility, security and order which have
And this has been done as II could only have
been done, by the exercise OF military author-
lty. The lesson TO be taught was hard; IL
coula only be learned successfully from nili-
taIy power. And now the great problem Is
fast approaching its solution. In few short
months or weeks, the REQ uirements Of Con-
gress will nave been met; the vote will have
been cast; the convention will have met: its re-
sults announced; and constitutions for these
States will have been made in pursuance Of
the conditions imposed by Congress Al no
time more than the present has the military
authority Of the Government been more neces-
sary to secure the peaceful consum nation OF
lnc sAedt auu putAiouC "OAh Va AiocOuSLThctlOn.
Yet at this very time issue is made W hich
introduces wide spread confusion to the
rightful character and the lawful extent OF
military authority.
The work of re econ sfructon in the Carolinas
has all been done quietly, without violence,
without the actual exercise of force l. is
known the force was held and will be used If
nee essary. Nor can i hesitate in giving IL TO
You as my deliberate con victiop, that IL civil
ageucies had been employed in the work OF
reconstruction, or bad been allowed TO control
the military in the measures TO be taken, they
would have failed; and that failure would
have involved at some time resort TO militia
ry force not TO preserve order but to suppress
violence; and the blood so she'd would nave
cried out to the people upon whose soil IL had
fallen.
And when l consider how wide chasm has
been spanned: how much of seemingly
hopeless task has been achieved; how little
remains to be done, TO secure all that dread
ful war was waged TO accomplish; how near
is the approach 10 returned Union; and
when realize to yself, that all Of this is 20
be put TO great peril and hazard by measures
which threaten TO impair the authority and
lessen the means Of those upon whom ccess
or failure depend. l have only TO express, in
the most respectful manner, my astonshment
ard regret. That dene and having performed
he further duty Of presenting fully in this
report the facts and considerations bearing
upon the important question now a. issue,
shall faithfully obey any order you may give
me-
Very respectfully, your obd't. serv't.,
ID. E. SIoKLEs,
Mai Gen. Commanding.
Gen. U. s. GRANT, Commanding Armies Of
The United States, Washington