The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-17
The Real Work now Being Done at the
South.


NOTHING could be farther from the truth than
the assertion that the Republican party is
seeking to oppress or degrade the people of
the late Rebel States, or that it is actuated by
q spirit of revenge towards them. The history
of the world may be searched in vain for an in
stance of clemency on the part of victors to-
wards the vanqushed in a great war equal to
that displayed by the loyal people of this
country towards the late Rebels. No public or
private executions, no imprisonments or acts
of banishment, no oonfscations of estates, no
forced contributions to pay the expenses of the
war; in short, none of the pains aud penalties
usually inflicted upon the defeated-especially
in civil wars-have been suffered by the late
Rebels. Such magnanimity is unparalleled.
II may well challenge the astonishment and
admiration of the world.
All that the Republicans seek for the future
is the peace and prosperity of all sections-of
the South no less than the North. And this
they believe is most surely to be attained
through the full triumph of the great princi-
pies of freedom and equality which have
made the North so prosperous and powerful.
Senator Wilson has admirably set this forth
in a recent letter to some gentleman in Vir-
ginia who had written him concerning contis-
cation. Mr.. Wilson says
"I will suggest my dear sir, q sure way for
your people TO avert from themselves contsca-
tion remove disabilities, restore law, order,
peace, and individual and national prosperity
and happiness. Let them f,bandon at once and
forever the ideas, ,a principles Up ana policies OF
dices, hates, and passions enXendered by their
Rebellion and the conflict tney inaugurated;
let them accept the result OF the nations VIC
tory-the unity of the States, the perpeGuity of
the Republic, the emancipation, enfrancnise-
rment and citizenship of the bondsmen, their
equality of rights and privileges. Let them do
this in spirit as well as in form. Let them es-
tablish schools for the education of both races;
let them encourage the freedmen TO be thrifty
and temperate, to gel homeSJeadS, and to en-
gage in industries in varied forms; let them
develop the mighty resources our Heavenly
Father has given the people OF the South, and
cherish spirit OF fraternity and love. Such
msSnanimitvi I'M and make n6scltion an Gmn i'm.
possibility, cause disabilities speedily to disap
pear, and bring down upon them, their states.
and their country blessings and benefits"
What could be more reasonable than this
Is it not the true plan for the people of the
South to followY Can any other course bring
them true peace and lasting prosperity
Yet this is the sum and substance of the Re-
publican policy,
Should any one object to this that the people
of the late Rebel States are deprived of the
right of local selfgovernment, we would reply
that the re-establishment of constitutional
State Governments in the Rebel States is the
grand aim of the Republican party. These
people lost their local State Governments
through the Rebellion and war which they
carried on against the United States Congress
is now assisting them to reconstruct the shat
tered fabrics of their local governments. The
work has been embarrassed and delayed by
the unconstitutional interference of the Presi-
dent in establishing illegal organizations which
he has had the assurance to call estate Gov
ernments,' but which lack all the character
istics of just and valid Governments. But this
embarrassment will speedily be overcome, and
constitutional State Governments will soon
arise in each of the late Rebel States, giving
to all the people the blessings of local self
government. This is the true meaning of ere
construction" 1t is work of rebuilding-the
substitution of law and order for anarchy and
usurpation; and when we consider the tre-
mendous war through which we have passed,
place in connection with the overthrow Of
slavery, the complete annihilation of all con.
stitutional local governments or organiza-
tions in the Rebel States, as consequent upon
the Rebellion,w we are perhaps making as rapid
progress in the work of reconstruction as
could reasonably have been expected. States
are not rebuilt in day. The fabrics of con.
stitutional governments overthrown by the
oonvulsions of civil war cannot be extern
pOrized on the instant. Time is required fol
such works as these; lawful authority must
supervise and direct the steps taken; all must
he done "decently and in order"
The clamOrs of partlsanship cannot deceive
the people in regard to this great work. They
have watched it WELL They have discussed i,
at every step. They have expressed theil
Judgment upon it in the most unmistakable
manner. They have elected representatives
with direct reference to it, and Congress. in
the passage of the Reconstruction acts, has but
carried out the unmistakable will of the soye
reign people.
THE AUSTRIAN MINISTER is not yet defnitel,
.oad ,,non II seems that Mr.. Henry I