The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1867-03-20
The Military Bill,

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We make the following extracts from a
letter, dated Washington, Feb. 27, ad-
dressed to Maj. L. j. Jones. The letter
was handed US BY him with the request
to publish.
3 s. x y
There is no need ofstopping to discuss
these various conditions. That they
will be very unsatisfactory to the major
ity Of the white people Of S. c., is very
manifest. But they are the law, OF will
be in few days at farthest, and it is the
part of wisdom to look the affair in the
face anddirect our attention accordingly,
Before again rejecting the terms Offered
US, as We did the Constitutional amend
mentr;we shonld consider well what
would be the result of such action.
Would we be likely to get any better
terms by such course? cannot see the
least spot of ground upon which the most
sangune could found such hope. The
Republican party in Congress is strong
enough to pass any law it wishes over
the Presidents veto and the next Con
gress will be numerically quite as strong,
with even more able, active and energet-
ic leaders The whole party claims the
right, and: are firmly resolved to dictate
the terms Of reconstruction; and | am
convincedit is becoming stronger instead
of weaker with intelligent classes at the
North, and will continue to increase as
long as the question is kept open by the
resistance of the South. If we wish
reaction We should accept in good faith
the terms offered, and settle the question
so far as it lies in our power. We should
hasten to establish full and complete
equality before the law for all, regard.
less of race or color. Such course
would restore confidence, and create
reaction IN our favor. 1t would convince
the more moderate portion Of the domi-
nant party that we are not so hostile, and
so little worthy of being entrusted with
selfgorernment as they now generally
believe us 30 be. This is the view taken
of the question by the most able and re-
spected of the Democratic Senators.
Reverdy johnson Of Md, voted for
the new reconstruction bill, and is un-
derstood to have. advised the President
to sign it.. 1t is not what he wishes, but
he does not believe the South will be
offered as favorable terms again if these
are rejected. So also with your friend
Hon. Mr.. B, who is the most ad-
vanced South Carolnian have yet met.
He was warmly in favor of the Constitu-
tional amendment, and thinks it would
be madness to reject the terms now Of
fered. He is of opinion that the next
step would be confscation. Indeed |
hear it rumored that some of the worst
radicals are already maturing confsca-
tion-bill for next winter, believing that
tie present terms will be rejected, as the
former were, and that they will then
have an opportunity Of offering it with
prospects of success. During my stay
here have had the opportunity of be-
coming personally acquainted with many
of the prominent Republicans, and Of
learning the views of most of them. I
am convinced that, with probably very
few exceptions, they are anxiaus to have
the troubles settled as earl y as possible;
and that they do not desire to impose
more severe terms than they consider
necessary to secure the results of the
war, and TO protect the rights of Union
lists and freedmen. But the natural
tendency ofSuch wounds is to get worse
the longer they ara kept open, and if the
South aggragates this by again rejecting
the terms proposed, you may rest per-
fectly assured that We will have far worse
to submit to year hence. Let US then
be wise while it is. time. Let our people
open their eyes to the necessity of fimme-
date action. They should lose no time
lin petitioning the Governor to assemble
the Legislature of the State for the pur-
pose of calling convention. Let our
Legislators be made to understand that
it is the desire of the people to hold
convention, and to adopt such terms as
are necessary to restore peace, harmony
and prosperity to the country. An op-
portunity neglected now may never be
given again. .. T..
/ do not know what your views will be
on this question, Bu5 ] hope man SO
universally and ,deserYedly trusted and
respected, may be induced to use bis in
Auence in favor of what is nov of such
vital Importance to our State. know no
man more capable of leading our district
in the right direction.
Very truly yours,