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


We print in another place letter from the
Hon. HERsCHEL V. JOHNSON of Georgia, VINO
ran for Vice-President on the Douglas ticket
in 1860, setting forth his view of the problem
of Reconstruction, and controverting what he
assumes to he the erroneous notions ana un-
inst exactions of Congress and the North. lie
mildly complains that his former letter, when
was criticised in these columns, was not
nrinted in full therein; but, since We print this
one at length, we presume he will complain no
more. Let us try to arrive mt the basis OF
common underStandng-by n comparison, point
by point, Of our relative positions:
|. Mr.. johnson speaks of " the ten prescribed
Estates" as though they had been turned or
kicked out of Congress and an equal voice IN
the Federal Government According to our
recollection, they went out Oh their own mo-
ton, shaking the dust from their feet, and
clanking their swords on the stairs as they
strobe haughtily down and away. We do not
care to call attention to these factsi but we
cannot abide their misrepresentation.
III. Mr.. johnson speaks freely Of " the Southern
"neonle.r their views and wants, their wrongs
and rights, but the context proves that he re-
CARDS the Whites only as constituting that
people We, on the contrary, contemplate the
,rhole people of the South, Black as well as
White, Union in 1862, IA well as Confederate,
and insist that the rights, interests and we'll
being of them all shall be cared for.
III. Mr.. johnson sOlemnly AYERS that he
never, in his whole life, cherished sentiment
or did an act of intentional hostility to that
Federal Constitution whose authority Ire repu-
dated, or to that Union of the States which
he waged long and bloody war to disrupt
Perhaps not. All we have to say in the
premises is only that the Kind of loyalty to the
Federal Constitution and Union which he
evinced in joining the Secessionists and help
ing on their "war of independence Is not
now in fashion in this country, and we do not
believe ii soon will be.
". Mr.. johnson says he is in favor of in
vesting the Blacks with every right consis-
" tent with their welfare, the interest of we'll
organized society," and the perpetuation of
4" good government" SO he was, We do not
doubt, when he held number of them as his
chattels personal, and undertook TO dissolve
the Union because the Republicans would not
consent to open vast territories TO the influx
Of Slavery The pending question is not as to
his honesty but as to the correctness of views;
and the issue of that trial by battle which he
invoked has decided that his views as to rhat
are the rights of Blacks not inconsistent with
their welfare. &C., &c, are not henceforth to
control our National policy. We do not pro-
pose to re-argue the question so forcibly debated
at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Atlanta, aud Five
Forks. The argument, to be cogent, should
precede the decision.
V. Mr.. johnson opposes the present enfran-
chisement of the Southern Blacks, because of
their gross ignorance. We admit the ignorance;
but we plead in abatement: 1. That it is not
confined to the Blacks 2. That every day sees
it lessened; 8. That the Blacks were sufficiently
intelligent not to rise IN mad, wild insurrec-
ton when proclaimed free by President Lin
coin and cut the throats Of their masters de-
fenseless wives and children, as their present
defamers insisted that they would try to do
and were wise enough to foresee that the War
would result in their emancipation before almost
any one else perceived it. On the whole, we
consider it morally certain that the Southern
Blacks will vote at least as wisely and pru-
IDENTIFY ss the Southern Whites have done in
the average for the last ten years.
VI Mr.. Johnson apprehends that the Blacks
will be melted to vindictiyeness toward their
late masters by the inculcations of White ennis
saries from the North. Their entire conduct
In freedom has nobly repealed this imputation.
And no "drill-masters" from the North can
teach them half so much regarding their past
treatment by the Southern Whites as they
know by experience already.
VII Mr. johnson fears that the last throb
of fraternity" will be crushed out of Southern
breasts If the Congressional plan of reconstruc-
ton be persevered in. He here forgets again
that there are several millions of Southern
breasts not covered by White skins. We
! would have the White ones throb as fraterualy