Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-11-01
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
Icorrespondenos Of the American

WAsHINoroN, II. g., ocs. "a, '67.
Mr.. Editor,-The result Of no cleo.
ton in the country ever produced SO much
surprise in the nations capital as the re-
cent ones in PENN lvania and Ohio. The
Radicals we're pr red to hear Of fall.
ing of from IL immense majoriiies Of
1864 and 1850, wing that there were
local and other ucs to produce this re-.
suit. The Demo -Sats were expecting great
reductions in ,lfir old Republican major.
itics. upon the. merits Of the questions
before the peopt; but all were astonished
ut the results, an very many are the the
cries advanced - account for such deci-
sions by the people. The Democrats -
including returned rebels, rebel sympa.
thizers, and cid Republicans Of the John.
son persuasion-afcct 10 believe that the
people have thus 80 the seal OF their con
dcmnalon on the policy Of Congress, on
the reconstruction question. IN connection
with the financial Ssiem inaugurated dur
ing the war and colt uued since. The
Republicans advance numerous theories,
in. all Of which thf.-proicss that the result
wee obtained % misreprosontaiions, aud
by local aud other issues than tie great
issues Of Congressional action. One thing
is certainly true, and admitted by men Of
all parties; that is, that if the question.
(Which is really the goat question under.
lying all others,) whether those who were
rebels in the late conflict should be nd
mitted Internationally TO participation
in the government Of the republic, the
verdict would be as positive as il was in
favor Of the prosecution Of the war in 1864
That verdict would be that "loyal men
should govern the saved republic"
This question, however, while il is the
great issue, is covered and disguised by
the Democracy; while it is also burdened
by the Republicans with one and another
issue foreign to tho great purpose for
which the party was formed and because
Of which il was so ensfrned in the hearts
of the people. Thus, IN Ohio, the ques
ton was not plainly put to the people,
whether rebels should be restored to pow
or, or be subjects of the go, erDment Of
loyal men. II that had been the naked
issue, or if il we're pl,ced in the shape of
approving or disappearing the policy of
congressional reconstruction, the result
would have been far different. Instead of
that, the Republicans, acting on the theo.
ry that what they had done was thorough
/ ly approved, hitched on tho question of
impartial suffrage, wanting TO accomplish
speedily that which the result has proved
they we're not able to accomplish.
Emancipation has been accomplished
Civil rights have been secured. The priv
ilege Of voting is extended TO those most
interested, If the rebel states are recon
structed as proposed by Congress- More
than this may be right, but all that is
right cannot at all times be secured imme-
diatoly. Tonttempt TO secure il hastily.
may endanger thai which has been secur-
ed. So the haste to obtain negro suffrage
in the Nefthern States may work great
calamity 10 those who yet need the pro-
lection of The party which has secured
already much for them. The people will
grant It, if it is right, in its time. But
other questions now are before them.
This will be radical change when it is
made. The people want time to look at
it. They will take time. The whole
question Of suffrage needs consideration.
They will consider it. Now, however,
the question is, "who shall guide the ship,
traitors or loyal men," The effect OF
losing sight Of this question, is the lesson
to be learned from the late elections.
Other complaints Of the fidelity OF the
party to the peoples interests, had their
influence. Extravagant expenditures of
the public moneys, which the people
righ,iully regard as theirs, was charged
upon the 33th aud 10th Congresses II
will be well for Republicans 70 reflect how
far these charges were well grounded, and
beware. Congress should not have met
in July last, unless when met they had
taken off their hats aud stayed awhile.
BY meeting, they confessed necessity
for an extra session. The people belicv-
ed there was. w bn they came, they
manifested greate4love for home than
for the work they cine to DO, aud there
fore left with their work undone. Such
servants the people will not tolerate in pri
vatc affairs, much less will they approve
them in public affairs; especially after, by
a strike, these servants have increased
their own pay sufficient to compensate for
full days work "a full years work.
am very we'll aware that these refer.
ences are not pleasing to interested poll
ticians. But the loyal party of the nation
is not pleased with the complications with
which politicians are leading on to defeat.
Now is the time to correct errors. Poll
ticians and people may learn of each other.
At least, politicians may learn of the peo-
pie; aud this one lesson they may learn,
that first Of all, The people rouid sare The
nation from reLet ruie. And by "rebels. F"
more is meant than those who fought aud
suffered in the Confederate armies.
j. Il. G..