Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-16
tennessee Not Model Of Reconstructed
States.

Tennessee Not Model Of Reconstructed
Some of our contemporaries have ex-
tolled Tennessee as pattern to be ad..
mired and initiated by the people OF
states engaged in the work of recon.
struotion. "If the States now excluded,
Il is said, twill follow Tennessee in dis
franchising rebels, and make their
respective Brownlows the administrators
of their affairs and their representatives.
in Congress, there need be no mlsglving
as to the prompt recognition of the work
performed"
calamity than the multiplication OF
Tennessees as members Of the American
Union. OF the whole South, Tennessee
is beyond doubt the part ia which the
least has been done toward genuine
reconstruction. 1t is nominally loyal,
of course. 1t is represented in Congress.
II is not included in the region over
which the provisions Of the military
government acts extend. And yet
What is its condition Essentially
volcanic. Loyal strength is the
result not of loyal votes, but of rebel dis
reimbursement Browniow's authority
is contingent upon the application OF
the crushing process to the majority OF
the people He is as absolute in his
sphere as any of the military command
ers in theirs, and infinitely more I'M
scrupulous He makes laws to suit his
purposes. He interprets laws accord
ing to the dictates Of his convenience.
He tightens the DISTINGUISHING screw as
often as he, finds it necessary, and en-
ploys the bayonet when no less pungent
weapon will carry his point. The result
is that the State he governs approaches
nearer and nearer to anarchy. Nowhere
on the continent, save in hapless Mex
leo, is life or property less secure, or
liberty more transparent mockery. A
condition Of civil war really exists all the
time-smothered it may he, but liable
ut any moment to burst forth under the
excitement of some sudden difficulty.
No other state of things is possible so
long as the Brownlow doctrine of recon
struction is allowed to prevail. For a
period, perhaps, it had. its uses While
the rebellion lasted, any less rigorous
rule might havefailed to keep in check
the hostile elements with with which the
border States abounded But there is no
pretext for perpetuating in peace the
iron-handed administration which was
Indispensable amidst the turmoil OF war.
The country requires the allegiance of
all its citizens, but this is possible only
when the powers that be cease TO heap
penalties upon whole classes, and to per-
secute as outlaws all who decline to pro-
nounce their party shibboleth. Brown
low proceeds on the notion that it is
necessary, day after day, to pile Goals Of
fire upon the heads Of the great majority
of the people, simply because they
decry his acts and seek to thwsrt
his ambition. A statesman similar
" situated would acknowledge mu-
tual reconciliation as the stepping stone
to reconstruction; he would see that
the loyalty of State can have no eff
cient guarantee except the attachment
of the people; and he would avoid the
fatal 5lunder of supposing that the ele
walton of his nominees to power is test
Of the fitness Of the people for the pos.
session of the franchise. In q word
wise ruler, occupying Brownlow's posi-
ton, within the period which has elapsed
since the close of the rebellion, would
have restored Tennessee to peace, and
placed it far on the road 10 prosperity.
Brownlow, on the contrary, by pursuing
a course of which almost fiendish malig-
nifty is the chief characteristic, has alien
ated class from class, driven moderate
TA,n ~
ant rebels, and forced his State, rich in
natural resources, to a condition of des-
peration, almost of despair.
We are glad to see that the exaltatiOn
Of Tennessee as model State is depre-
Gated by influential Radical journals
Missouri has tried the proscriptive policy
thoroughly, and the St Louis Democrat
is not disposed to recommend its adop-
ton. Tennessee" that print remarks,
is not a particularly good pattern for
other States tits not absolutely certain
that the methods adopted by the loyal
men there may not fail to secure their
safety" The probabilities point in the
opposite direction. There can be no
permanent safety in methods which im.
ply the continued parade of the conquer.
Ors authority.
Contrasted with the Tennessee system,
the reconstruction policy Of Congress is
merciful and just Stern it is, indeed,
and despotic for time, but it opens the
door to a milder authority, and offers
inducements 20 the acceptance Of condi-
tons by which the South may materially
improve its position. The guarantees it
0xacts imply no long-eontinaed humilia-
ton, and no more radical changes than
those which follow logically from the
late conflict
Instead Of commenting Tennessee as
a model to be initiated BY the States, or
TO be respected in framing the polity OF
the Republic, we submit that II should
be studied as an illustration of the evils
and dangers Of theory Of reconstrue.
ton based upon nRrrOw-mindedness and
hate. Congress holds in its hands the
power Of securing loyal organizations
throughout tho South. For the rest,
reliance must be placed upon the
amended spirit and will Of the people,
and these are more likely to be affected
BY generous forbearance, as suggested
By Siekles, than by tie intolerance and
lawless violence which have their official
incarnation in the irrevorend Brownlow.
Ner Ysrk Times