The tri-weekly standard., 1867-09-03

| Important Letter from Gov. Graham
He Proposes to perpetuate the Rebel
lion, by another Appeal to the North
ern People
We find in the New York Times the fol-
lowing extract from letter written by Gov
Graham to a resident of Van Buren,, Arkan-
saS:
"The situation of the States of the South
to which you allude, is indeed melancholy.
We are realizing the truth of the declaration
of Mr.. Fox, that the most dangerous of all
revolutions is a restoration" The idea of
distraining the States by military domina-
ton, into the adoption of Constitutions tor
local governments, with the right of suffrage
extended to negroes, without any qualifca-
tion except being the male sex and over 81
years of age, and by the Howard amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States, at the same time disfrancllising all
men of experience and influence among US,
is the most solemn farce that has been enact
ed in all history. 1t is to roll back the tide
of civilization two centuries at least, and
place the ballot in the hands of consituen.
cy less qualified for the office of government
than has ever before exercised it in any re-
publican country. The Board of Registers
of voters has just been announced here and
includes one negro to two white nen gener-
ally throughout the State. When the whele
series of steps in the process of "reconstruc-
tion," as it is called, shall have been fully
consumnated, think the people, wherever
they constitute majorities, will find it to
their interest to vote against Conventions for
the objects in view, and bear with the reign
of military government until another ap-
,,aal ho So To r,ph1io fbo
North, and especially in the Northwest"
Gov. Graham speaks out at last, very
much, no doubt, to his own surprise, for he
did not expect that any portion of this letter
would see the light. This letter. was prob
ably addressed to Gen. Gatlin, formerly of
this State.
We have no space to day to notice at
length these views of Gov. Graham
But it is now plain to every one that Gov
Graham is fixed in his opposition to the
reconstruction measures, and to every essen
tial provision they contain. He is opposed
to colored suffrage. He is opposed to any
measures which will restrain the disloyal SO.
as to enable the loyal to establish new goy-
eminent in the State preparatory to her ad-
mission to the Union. He IS opposed to.
Convention, and will counsel his followers:
to do all they can to defeat Convention.
And he advises the continuance of military
rule, and the perpetuation of the spirit of |
rebellion, until another appeal can be made
by the discontented portion of our people to
the Democrats and johnson men ofthe North
and Northwest.
Such is, briefly, Gov. Graham's position.
Who sustains him it Does Gov. Worth
Does his organ, the Sentinel? Will that pa
per speak ont? We dare it to speak. ST.
lence on its part will be construed by the
public into an endorsement of Gov. Graham's
views.
Gov. Graham has written himself down in
a few words as q dssunionist. The only way
in which the Union can be restored is by
and through the reconstruction acts. Gov
Graham is we'll aware of this. He is
opposed to these acts, calls the work of re-
construction under them "solemn farce"
and declares that if we reconstruct under
them we will "roll back the tide of civiliza-
tion two centuries; at least" He is, there
fore, an ayoa1ed disunaonist We repeat the |
question, who will sustain him in his posi- |
ton?