The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-09-05
When shall we have Peace.

The first interest of the American People
is Justice; but the second-hardly less i'm
portant and more palpably urgent-is Peace.
We need to build and repair and restore,
and replant. Vast regions, lately devastated
by Civil War, still lie waste; muItitudes OF
widows aud orphans Of the war, in spite OF
returning abundance, are thin clad aud lam
Ishbg. There is much capital at the North
which should be transferred to the south
and there invested in draining swamps civil
izing wilds, erecting factories, and making
all manner of useful wares and fabrics.
Something is being done in the right direc-
ton; but Immensely more awaits the adj
vent of assured peace.
How long must that be still awaited?
Had President Johnson called the late
Congress directly on his accession to power,
and said to 1.-THE rebellion is ended; the
work "of Reconstruction should begin at
once propose such and such basesys;
consider and ''modify them ae You shall
see fit"-all would have ended ere this
Those who who had been rebels were then
ready and anxious for Reconstruction, and
prepared to accept any terms that did not
threaten their property or their lives.
Mr. johnson did not call congress; he de-
vised and promulged programme of his
own. 1t had all the faults which are at
tributed 10 the plan of Congress, differing
from that only in putting the Southern
Blacks, who were mainly loyal, under the
feet of the Whites, who had nearly all been
Rebels
Congress at length met and dissented
from the Presidents programme, bat was
quite too tardyin perfectipg aud submit
ting one of its own The Southern Whites,
believing they were at liberty to choose, adj
hered to the Presidents plan; the Blacks
with nearly all the Whites who had been
loyal throughout, sided with Congress
Hence Reconstruction halted while 40 APP
peal was taken to the People of tie loyal
States, which resulted in au overwhelming
majority for Congress; which thereupon re-
vised It's terms Of Reconstruction, making
them less favoravIs TO the ex Rebels than
they had been It's new terms ditler radl-
caliv from the old in this: they are not a
proffer TO be considered; they are laws 10 be
obeyed. Aud the indications have been ia
vorable to general obedience,
But Mr.. johnson interposes again, and
opens new fight with Congress, by sus-
pending the Secretary Of War, and ordering
removal Of the more radical district com
manders. He thus inaugurates new strug-
| Gle, which threatens to be long and bitter
one.
But why should it? who is to gain by it?
If the Southern States shall promptly
comply with the requirements Of Congress,
the work of Reconstruction may be soon
| completed. The machinery is III motion;
the Registrations are nearly completed; ev-
cry State may be organized as Congress pre-
scribes before this year closes. But if, Oh
The contrary, the South shall! reject the
terms of Congress, We are all at sea for no
one knows how long. Meantime Military
rule must be maintained at the South at
heavy cost, while peace, security and thrift,
cannot return. The present Congress holds
| till March 3, 1869; and no one imagnes
| chat it will meantime abandon the course
which it has already marked out. The
South may have Reconstruction and Peace
by accepting the terms dictated by Con-
gress: it may reject these, aud cling to
johnson if it will; but, it should, all must
await in doubt and abide the issue Of the
next Presidential contest.
! Who wishes thus to protract fruitless
strife, pernicious uncertainty? What is to
be gained thereby? and who will gain it?
If the South should now refuse to recon.
struct her States as Congress has prescribed
she cannot think so badly as she has talk
ed Of Military despotism. She will virtual
| ~ say that her position is quite tolerable
when coutrasted with form of self govern
ment which recognizes and treats Blacks as
men. To reject the terms of Congress would
DO to defy that body to do its worst.
Let us have peace!-not some time MOI
perhaps, but surely and soon! Industry and
business are weary of waiting while politi-
clans play out tier little game. Let us
have none otter than real Peace; but let us
have this surely and soon!