Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-08-30

4 VPPosfttth PsftJ ho"s tuo momohe fcoVu
struction is accomplished this party will
regain its activity, and we ought to know
In advance whether II possesses the pow.
or to undo what we thought we had done
1 do not mean TO intimate that il would
be possible to re-establish slavery; perhaps
il would not oven be practicable to take
from the freedmen the right of suffrage
though this latter is doubtful. These
politicians are willy and sagacious. They
their face 10 all men. II is in The execu-
ton OF these laws which seem to bear
equally on all, that wrong will be done
and condition Of things produced which
bears no resemblance 10 free government
except in name. Social exclusion, with
drawal Of business relations, open exhibi-
tons Of hostility, If not, indeed, actual
hostile acts, interruption Of or interference
with the freedniens and other schools
maintained by charitable contributions
from the North-these will be the weap-
ons used against Union men and the col
ored race. Acts Of wrong and violence
will meet no sufficient redress, ifindeed,
any redress at all In the courts. These
are acts which cannot be reached by the
General Government, and yet which quiz
city and silently render justice impossible,
and establish discrimination against class
es or color, odious and unbearable. say,
accomplished after the fullest development
Of all the influences against IL. by decisive
majorities, we will simply have reproduc.
ed aud perpe.uated in the South what we
sought to destroy. We ought TO know in
advance, II possible, whether the presence
Of the leaders Of these incurable reaction
lists and their active influence in this coun-
try, arc compatible with the peace Of the
country aud the security Of our institu.
tions.
Another question ought to be, and prob.
ably will be decided In the course es the
coming canvass for and against Conven-
ton. That question Is this: Have the
slugeishness Of mind and body and the
tendency to assail by violence the right Of
opinion and discussion, engendored by
habits acquired during the existence Of
slavery and the system Of politics in the
South, untitled the peoplc for such self
government as is implied by free speech,
free press, and the fullest peaceable dis
cussion Of all public questionsS This is q
most important question, and one which,
II answered In the light Of existing facts.
must DO answered unfavorably. Not only
do the reactionary .reconstruotionis
use oil the instrumeutalities have named
except such rs thoy arc restrsibod from
using by the military authorities. but
there Is little doubt that thoy would resort
at onco to the intimidation and violence
which long practice has made habit, "
they dared TO do 80 In the presence Of the
military forces Of the United States. Can.
dor conpels me to say that this tendency
TO rcprcss freedom Of speech IL not con.
fined to either party, but prevails, though
TO much less extent, among the recon.
struotionists, whether they have been al.
ways Union men or have lately Joined tho
ranks OF tho reconstruction party. II be-
comes the Government OF tho United
States 10 frown upon such measures, by
whatever party exercised, and no robuke
50 salutary or 80 pregnant of good results
can be administered an for the government
to protect all parties In the exercise Of free
speech. Results will show what we must
expect In tho future by establishing In the
South what are cardinal principles Of our
Governm ment.
The foregoing remarks refer exclusively
TO the white race la this district. The con.
dllon aud the future Of tho oolored race
are far more hopeful aud encouraging
The arnest aud touching aaxIeties of the
freed people 10 learn cannot but make q
profound impression upon the mind Of
any one who has had the opportunity 10
observe H. II may safely be said that
the marvellous progress made la education
and knowledge by these people, aided by
the noble, charitable contributions Of
Northern societies aud individuals. finds
no parallel In the history Of mankind, II
continued, II must be by the same means;
aud If the masses OF the white people ex-
hibit the same indisposition TO be educated
that they do now, five years will have
transferred intelligence aud education, so
far as the masses are concerned, TO the
colored people of this district. The social
aud political results Of such change can.
not fail to be important, aud. to great
extent, decisive Of the questions which we
are seeking TO solve. 1t becomes us,
therefore, to guard zealously against any
reaction which may and will check this
most desirable progress of the colored
race. In this view, also, we should Al sure
ourselves that the reconstruction we are
attempting to set up in the South is Of a
character and possesses the vitality to en-
courage and maintain this progress and
maintain. this progress and perpctuate its
results.
These, General, are briefly my views
upon the condition Of affairs in this
District, aud they furnish the reasons why
am pursuing the course in the admins
traton Of my Office which have indicated
you. 1t is not improbable that may be
mistaken, and that reconstruction, forced
and hurried. may finally result in equal
good. 1t seems to me, however, that We
will incur a great risk by departing from
the course have marked for myself; and
if, by carrying out other measures We fail
to accomplish the results we all have at
heart, we will have entailed endless evil
upon these people aud upon the country,
and will have disarmed ourselves Of the
power to remedy it. / am satisfied that
reconstruction will be satisfactory accom-.
plished in this district in spite of the
open and active opposition OF the disloyal
reactionists. l can safely say that Ala
L. -. Ill s~.vo - loea th.x n mn ori