The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-27
Ex.Gevcrnsr Brown, Of Georgia. On Recon-
strnction.

buU COITuptOucs
Ex.(sevcrnsr Brown, Of Georgia. On Recon-
strnction.
We published some extracts yesterday from
a letter which Ex-Governor Joseph E. Brown.
of Georgia, had prepared for circulation in the
South on the subject of reconstruction and
the political situation of the Southern States.
They are marked by good sense and sound
advice, and they express substantially the
views we have been urging all along upon the
Southern people. They give US ray Of hope
that light IL about to break in upon the South
as 10 its real situation and the folly Of resist
ing the will and power of the North. If other
leading public men of the rebel States will
follow Governor Browns course reconstruo-
ton may be contaminated within short
time. - 4
Mr.. Brown says:-'Tf we reject the terms
proposed in the Sherman bill, confess ses
no hope ior the future. Should We scoepa
them, trust the example Of Georgia may be
followed by other States, and that this vexed
question may soon be permanently settled upen
the best terms which we will ever be able 70
get I am aware of the rapidly Of the changes
which We are required to make and a The
natural prejudices which our peopls entsrtaiA
against negro suffrage; but we should not
forget that In yielding to an inevitable neces
sity these people were raised among ~ and
naturally sympathise with us. Their c6nducl
during the war proved this Il, then, NO treaa
them kindly, pay them their wages promptly
and in all respects deal justly BY them, We
shall seldom have cause 10 complain Of theil
refusal to respect our wishes or consult our
interest ct the ballot box"
He therefore urges upon tho Governor 70
call the Legislature of the State together with
out delay, and to recommend the passage Of
State constitution, so as to provide for univer.
sal suffrage. in conformity with the Sherman
bill, and also to provide for the early election
of Legislature which will adopt the constitu-
Honal amendment, in accordance with the re-
quirement Of said bill.
This Is the only way Of salvation for the
South. The people of that section have
lost already opportunities Of being restored,
through their obstinacy, ignorance and bad
feeling. They might be now enjoying AL the
privileges Of American citizens had they not
stupidity rejected the terms offered. They lost
sight Of their powerless condition and that they
were completely at the mercy Of their con-
querors. They foolishly imagined that the North
would concede their claim to political rights
which they had really forfeited by the war.
Not understanding either their own situation
or the temper Of the public mind ct the North,
they showed their teeth when they ought to
have bowed their heads In submission TO the
fate they had brought upon themselves This
had bad effect upon to people q tie Loyal
States The politicians saw what was taking
place in the public mind and seized the OBJ
portunity to make capital out Of It The con-
sequence was that harder terms Of restoration
were demanded BY the party in power. n the
Southern States had adopted the constitutional
amendment they would have been restored
upon that condition. Having rejected that,
the Sherman bill, with harder conditions, ID
now offered. Should they show hostility 10
this measure the consequences will be still
worse. General conAscation and prolonged
military rule might follow for the North ID
determined 10 crush out the seeds and rem
nants Of rebellion and to hold control Of poll
teal power. Mr.. Brown wisely says, "if ws
reject the terms proposed in the Sherman bin
/ confess see no hope for the future" These
truthful and emphatic words should sink deep
into the heart Of every Southerner All who
love their country and would save 1t and them
selves from ruin should take Governor Browns
advice-should throw overheard the old secesh
politicians and begin . new political existence.