Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-08-17

cisive majori,ies over all the elements which
oppose 1t, left to develop themselves and ap-
iiopis,s mus left free can defeat such recon-
struction As this, we then know what to %,
what in fact we must do, IL we desire to per-
peiua.e flee institutions. 1t is best 10 know
all these things before readmisson into the
Union 10 granted. 1t will be too late to learn
them afterward. Now 10 the time aud this u the
opportunity to completes this work SO that its
will stand. Every dictats OF wisdom and
patriotism demands this work at our hands
II hastily or partially done. recon struction
will drag with IT a train OF evils to this coun.
try which can never be remedied. II is not
necessary TO cay that however we restrain tue
oppositen party now, the moment reconstruct
tisn is accomplished this party will regain its
activity and we ought to know in ad vance
whether it possesses the power 70 undo what
we thought we had done. do not mean 20
intimate that it would be possible to e.estab.
fish slavery: perhaps 10 woul Id not even be
practicable to take from the freedmen the right
ofsuffrage, though this latter Is doubtful These
politicians are willy and sagAcious They will
maze no laws which are not equal on their
face to all men. 1t is in the execution OF these
laws which seem to hear equally on all. that
wrong will be done, and o condition of things
prodaeed which bears no resemblance to tree
government except In name. Social exclusion,
withdrawal OF business relations, open exhfbi.
lions OF hostility, If not indeed actual hostile
acts, interruption OF or interference with the
freedmens' and other schools maintained by
Charitable contributions from the North; these
Will be the weapons used against Union
men and the colored race. Acts OF wrong aud
violence Will meet DO suficient redress If
indeed any redress at all in the courts. These
are acts which cannot be reached by the
General Government, and yet which quietly
and silently render justice imposs ibie and es-
tablish Discrimination against classes or color
odious and upbearabie. say then again that
unless reconstruction IL accomplished after the
aeass Il bs Q, All the
ply hhve reproduced and perpetuated in the
South what we sought to destroy We ought
to Know In advance adv II possible whether the
actionists and their active influence in this
country are compatible with the peace of the
country, and the security Of our installations.
Another question ought to be and probably
Will be decided in the course of the coming
canvas Tor and against Convention. That
question is this: Have the eluggishness OF
mind and body and the tendency TO assaii BY
violence the right OF opinion and discussion,
engeDdered by habits acquired during the ex.
isreI &c OF slavery and the system of politics in
the South untitled the people for such self gov
erEmt ut as is i'm lied By free speech free press
aud he fullest peaceable discussion OF all pub.
lie questions .eh
This is most important question: and one
which. if answered In the light of existing
facts, must be answered unfayorably. Not
only do the reactisnary Anti. Reconstruction
lists use all the instruRentaliries have named
except such as they are restrained from using
ny the nj litary auinorities, but there is little
doubt that they would resort at once to the
int mldaton and violence which long prae.
CT has made a habit, if they darea to do so
in the presence of the military forces of the
United States. Candor comPels me TO say
that this tendency TO repress freedom ofspescn
is not confined TO either party, but prevails
though 10 much less extent, among the
RecoI structlOnists. whether they have been
always Union men, or have lately Joined the
ranks of the Reconstruction party. 1t becomes
the Government OF the United States TO fro wn
upon such measures by whatever party pro.
p s-d. and no rebuke SO salutary or SO prey-
Iant OF good results can be administered as Tor
the Government 10 protect all parties in thu
exercise OF free speech. Results Will show
what we must expect IN the future in esrab-
fishing in The South what are cardinal prn
cipl-s of our Government.
The foregoing remarks refer exclusively to
the white race in this District.
The condition 3nd the future OF the col.
or-d are far more hopeful AID encouraging
The earnest and touching anxiety Of the
Freed people to learn, cannot but make a
profound impression upon the mind of any
one who has had the opportunity TO observe
IL Ii may safely be said thai the marvel
lous progress made in education and
knowledge by these people, aided by the noble
charitable contributions of Northern Socie.
ties and individuals, finds no parallel in
the history OF mankind. II contin ned. (and
If continued at all il must be by the same
agenciesl and the masses Of the W hite people
exhibit the same iudisposition to be educated
that they do now. five years will have
transferred intelligence and education. SO far
as the masses are concerned. to the Colored
people OF this District. The social and DO
htlcal results OF such a change canno. fail to
be important and 10 great extent decisive #
the questions which we are seeking to solve
II becomes us therefore TO guard jealously
agaiDst any reaction which may and will check
this most desirable progress OF the colored
race. In this view also we should ass are our.
selves that the reconstruction we are ATTEMPT
ing to set up in the South is OF a character
and possesses the Vitality TO encourage and
maintain this progress and perpetuate its re-
suits.
These, General, are briefly nv views upon
the condition OF affairs in this District, and
they furnish the reasons why l am pursu-
ing The course in the administration OF nv
ofice which l have indicated to you. IL is
not improbable that i may be mistaken and
that reconstruction forced and hurried may
nnaiIy result IN equal good. 1t seems to me.
however, that we will incur a great ri X by
departing from the course i have marked ont
for myself: and if by carrying out other meas.
uIes, we ran 10 accomplish the results we
all nave al heart. we will have entailed end
less evil upon these people and upon the
country, and will have disarmed ourselves OF
the power 10 remedy il.
l am confident that reconstruction will be
satisfactorily accomplished In this dis rict, in
spite CT the open and active opposition of the
dIsloyal reacnonists. / can safely say that
Alabama will give not less than ten thousand
major ~ OF white votes for reconssruction,-
ard think II may be said with almost equal
certainty that Georgia will give a white ma
Jority in the same direction. Not less than
thres-fourtss OF the colored vote in each OF
these States will be cast for reconstr action
Inc same remarks are substantially true or
fiofiaa, ana Il ! have so earnestly in yited
your attention 10 the danger Of opposite results
/, has only been to furnish the data necessary
to meet the case and to justify the course /
nave thought IT judIcious TO pursue. All the
facts that can bear upon these questions /
shall continue to report a. they come to nv
knowledge.
Ii Is however my duty to state that In nv
Judgment the condition OF affairs in the
southern states even should reconstruction
be satisfactorily accomplished, will of neces.
sity be reprod ction in q more or less modi.
ned degree, OF what now exists in Tennessee,
unless some measures are adop ted TO free the
country OF the turbulent and disloyal leaders
OF the reactionary party. Whilst these per-
sons remain In the country to exercise the
ba'eful influence they undoubtedly possess,
there can be no peace. :.
l believe that in Florida and ALABAMA the
DANGER from this cause is less than In Georgia
but In all these States there is so much danger
OF the disorder and violence which mark the
daily history of Tennessee that 1t would seem
wise 10 adopt whatever measures are practi.
cable 70 remove from the States in process OF
reconstruction the causes which now endan9er
loyal government in Tennessee
donot venture TO suggest remedy for the
evils that may be developed. Such matters
merit and will 20 doubt, command patient
examination and careful action, and having
laid before you the facts. and nv own eenerai
views upon them, consider my duty per.
formed. ~
am, General. very respectfully. your obs
dient servant, JOHN POpR
Bvt Msj. Gen. S. A Commanding.
Genera al u 5. GRANT, General in Chief, u. s.
A, Washington, u. u. eusr @rT