The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-05
Military Admiuissrntion In tho South.

HHiutafy Administration In tho SOuth.
The order issued by General Pope reversing
the decision Of the Post Commander at Mobile
in regard to ono Of the local newspapers will
be read with very general satisfaction. 1t
negatives the impression that was gaining
ground that there was q disposition on the part
of our military administrators in the South to
shackle the press This General Pope dis
claims in the most emphatic terms He de-
clares that it is the duty Of the military authori-
ties to secure the utmost freedom Of speech and
of the press consistent with law, and orders
that no officer or soldier In his command shall
interfere with newspapers or speakers on any
prelext
Nothing will tend more to inspire confidence
and hopeful ness among the Southern people
than acts Of this kind. However harsh the
Recons rucion act may appear to them, tho
wise and liberal Interpretation given to it by
the military authorities will soon reconcile
them to the measure. Certainly thus far, they
have no reason to feel dissatisfied with the
choice of the officers appointed to enforce its
provisions In North and South Carolina Gen.
eral Sickes made the first move towards reas-
surfing the population, by general order re.
lieving them from the operation OF a class of
State acts which bore most oppressively upon
them. He also put stop to the working of
the grain distilleries, which had raised the
price of corn to point that threatened
famine. General Ord's pithy recommen-
dation to the negroes Of Mississippi
to provide for their families before at
tending political conventions did an immense
amount of good. Sheridan's prompt and
decisive measures in Louisiana squelched the
reyivng spirit of treason and showed the stub
born secessionists, who had managed to keep
the upper hand there, that they had no mercy
to expect from him. Thomas had difficult
card to play in Tennessee between the rebels
and Parson Brownlow, but he has managed to
keep them tolerably quiet. Schofeld, in vir-
ginia, has also shown great deal of tact the
only mistake he committed-that Of suppress
right
Taken as a whole, the military administra-
ton under the Reconstruction act has been q
greater success than we had any reason to
anticipate. The generals to whom it has been
intrustei are governing with great deal Of
intelligence, ami, although it is new
field for them, they have made but few mis-
takes in It The cutlery raised by the copper
head journals against their being intrusted
with so much power has proved to be sense
less clamor. The Roman pro-consuls, to whom
they were compared, were a very different
class Of men, and had very different response
bilities. Their blunders Of administration
could only be criticised and checked at long
intervals. They were, In fact, rarely or ever
brought under the influence Of public opinion.
With our military Governors the case is very
different. They can do no act without its being
Immediately telegraphed all over the country,
and without it's bringing back promptly the
criticisms Of the press. The Roman pro-con-
suls were not subjected to such checks, and
therefore there is no justice in the comparison.
If the same wisdom and prudence continue to
be manifested by our military administrators
1t is not improbable that another and more
ticklsh comparison will be drawn. People
will begin TO ask themselves whether here, at
the North, il would not be better for MS to live
under the rule of such men than to submit to
the incapacity and corruption which disgrace
every department Of our State and municipal
governments.