Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-23
GENERALS sICKLEs AND SHERIDAN,

GENERALS AND SHERIDAN,
The letter of Governor Orr, of South Caro-
lima, to Major General Sickles, late Comman-
der of the Second Military District, to which
we referred on Saturday, has been published,
and is q just tribute to the administrative
abilities of that officer. That all Of those who
accept the reconstruction plans of Congress in
that district approve of the wise and prudent
administration of General Sickles, which con-
terred substantial benefits upon the great
majority of the people, there is no doubt
There are the same Indications of public sen.
tment, on the part Of all those in the Fifth
Military District, who are not actively Cd.
posing reconstruction. They express their
regret st the removal of General Sheridan, be.
cause they do not believe that any change of Of
tcers will benefit them, and say Justly that
whatever army officer is assigned to the COM
mand, he is bound to carry out the laws. Thus
1t is that all those who oppose the reconstruc-
ton measures of the National Legislature are
Of course hostile TO the officers entrusted with
the execution of the laws; while those who
favor the admission OF their States on the Con-
gressionai plan regret to see any changes made
which may possibly delay that end, or lead to
the enforcing OF harder conditions.
Gen. Sickies, in his reply to Governor Orr,
says:
I'm my retirement it is q source of much
Satisfaction to compare the present condition of
South Carolina with that In which found it
IN ass umlng command In the autumn of 1865
he system OF tree labor has been successfully
inaugurated. The emaneipated blacks have
been invested with cvilrights by the voluntary
acts Of your Legislature. The TRANQUILITY and
order which have been maintained attest the
general desire of all classes OF the people to
observe the obligations OF good citizens. An
abundant harvest has rewarded industry
Grain is now exported from Charleston. Re.
glstration has proceeded almost to completion,
without commotion or tumult, or any serious
interruption OF the ordinary avocaions Of the
The population of the Carolinas have not
tried to prevent the organization OF legal civil
governments IN the rebel States, and it is only
just for me 70 state that your own prompt and
patriotic acq uiescence tn the requirements of
the Government relieved the people you repre-
sent OF many OF the burdens Of military gov
eminent, and at the same time removed some
OF the most serious impediments to the execu-
ton OF the reconstruction acts in South Caro-
ana trust your people will not suffer any
detriment by reason OF complications for which
they are not responsible. 1t only remains for
them 10 comply with the con ditions prescribed
by congress, and South Carolina will soon be
restored to the Union with all her ancient
rights and dignity as sovereign State unlrn.
paired. These conditions have no other OBJ.
lect than to make our institutions truly repub.
iiean IN substance and form, that justice may
be DONE and that no occasion or pretexr for
con fiict may hereafter be found
There is not, in my judgment, any sum Client
reason to apprebend that the colored people
will not make good citizens. Freedom and
education are rapidly developing this long
dormant helpless caste. With advantages far
inferior TO the other races which have fourd
their way TO this country, the African has
proved himself loyal,industrious and obedient
10 the laws. Generously fostered and Justly
treated the freedmen Will become the bone and
slnew OF Southern population and power
With the solution of this problem. and the as
peIlies incident to long war, the Caroiinas
Will enter upon a new career Of prosperity
alike attractive to the pnilanthrophist who
seeks the happiness OF his fellows, and gratI.
wing to statesmen whose ambition Is gratined
In the progress Of the common wealth."