Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-07-14
From the Chicago Times

From the Chicago Tmesl
The Philadelphia Press says: Letters
received here from prominent members
Of congress indicate that at the coming
meeting Of that body the provisional
governments now existing In the south
will be entirely abolished, and the terri
torial plan advocated by Senator Sum-
ner and Hon. Thaddeus Stevens some
time ago adopted. Prominent southern
u~nionists declare that while these gov
ernments remain in force thorough re-
construction is impossible
What does it mean by thorough re-
construction 2" Does It mean Brown
low governments? Does it mean the
Acknowledgement of the best class OF
me- ia the south-the radicals do not
dispute that the men most prominently
engaged in the rebellion were the best
men there-and the reimbursement OF
negroes so ignorant that they have no
more conception of principles OF govern
ment than the Digger Indians?
Does thorough reconstruction mean
the subsection of the best class in the ex-
cluded states to those negroes aud to rad
icals so contemplate and destitute OF
honor that Secretary MeCulloch said
there could not be selected from them
men 1T to be intrusted with the minor
revenue offices in the south, and that il
would be better to suspend the collection
of the revenue than to fll the offices with
such creatures?
II this is not what the radicals mean
by /" thorough reconstruction" win thew
please enlighten the uninitiated d? II it
is what they mean, those terms describe
a project more hideous and criminal thar
words can express.
From the samel
Two or three days ago q correspondent
Of the New York Times, in a long letter
from Tennessee, gave an account Of the
manner in which the government Of that
state is conducted, and Of the political
prospects and plans of Gov. Brownlow.
Commenting on the facts stated in the
letter, the Times says:
Congress has been asked to legislate
for Maryland and other states whose pol
itics are not entirely satisfactory. We
submit, however, that II there is to be
any extension Of the sphere of congress
sional authority in the matter of state
government, il ought to embrace Tennes-
see. There, II anywhere, military gov
eminent, administered by prudent and
responsible officers, would be mereiful.
There, il anywhere, the existing civil
government should be declared y nui-
sance, to be tolerated only until some
thing better than BrOwnlowism can be
constructed in its place "
The rebuke from so prominent a repub-
lican newspaper should induce the press
Of that party to join in such a cen
sure Of Brownlow's government as will
compel Il to respect law and deceney. II
Is what the Times declares it TO be, q nui-
sanee, aud as such should be denounced
by ali who respect order and Justice.
Congress has no authority To set IN 4
military government Ia the state. and the
attempt 70 do 30 would be criminal usur-
patton. The evil is One which can only
be reached by a public opinion which
shall teach Brownlow the policy Of pay.
ing some regard to the rights OF his op-
ponents. Were be made to feel that his
outrages and those of his creatures were
execrated blythe republican party outside
Ofthe state, he wOnld fear the downfall
of his influence at home.