The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-12-09
VIEWS oF LEArINf; RADICALS In REGARD
TO RECONSTRUCTION.

gagged in furnishing the country with the views Of
certain leading Radicals, concerning che practicakl
workings of reconstruction as it has been accom-
plished in the South. under the military bills.
These views arc obainedin in conversations, held by
the various prominent lights among The Radical
cabal with special correspondents of the Herald,
sent to their places of residence for that purpose
As q matter of curiosity and with desire to keep
the readers of this paper thoroughly posted in re-
gard to the sentiments and feelings of that party
toward US, we make few extracts from the letters
of these correspondents. Our space prevents
re. publication of their views generally upon other
national topics, and among them the finance qucs-
rion is discussed prominently and with apparent
interest but we have selected that which most in
timatey concerns the reader, 10 wit, rcconslruc-
tiQn.
The first conversation under notice is with Hon
JouX SHERMAN, Senator from Ohio, and author of
the original bill respecting Congressional recon-
strucion Of the South, wherein il was declared
that ''no legal State governments, or adequate pro-
lection for life aud property now exists in the rebe
States" thus remanding US into territories under
military rule. In the outset Of the conversation
Mr.. SHERMAN informed The correspondent that he
had no opinions he wshed.o conceal, nor reasons
be reticcnt but that lie had nothing especial to
communicate. Thcreupon, the correspondent put
direct question as follows: "What subject, in our
present circumstances, do you regard as most i'm
peratiycy requiring the national attention." To
which the honorable Senator promptly responded:
,,N Tlof SO n1 bv he
election of General Grant, which secures the
honest, firm. but kind enforcement of existing
| laws. The laws already made are enough They
| cover all the points sufficiently. The necessity
was .hat they should be carried out in their proper
| spirit, and not administered by an. Executive in
tent on defeating the purpose for which they were
/ made. 1t was the national will that there should
be no more chaffering over the laws but that they
| should he put in force. Grants election WAS an
expression of this will and the desired re-
suit. In any further discussion of reconstruction
| l would myself favor the utmost lberality toward
| the South; would relieve it Of all forms of dsa-
bility, provided only it gives protection to the
people within its limits; but if murder for poii-
cal opinion is 60 as it has, ii the spirit OF
disafection to laws properly made is 10 prevail
there the only safety is in the other course. But,
as have said, the subject is not likely TO be
brought up. Grants election is resting place
|
point that there was some other subject Of more i'm
mediate importance, which was assentcd o by Mr..
SHERMAN, with The remark, that he regarded the
national finances as most important of all. The
conversation then easily gdcd into discussion
Of greenbaoks and specie payments, with which
We have nothing TO do at present.
This utterance Of Mr.. SHERMAN, upon the sub
| hoe hoop
reported 1t shows an improved feeling in the
mind of the gentleman who stood foremost in the
wholesale disranchisement OF our best citizens.
He will find, too that lbcrality towards this Sec
ton will not be fruitless. and will do much in
bringing about thorough reconstruction, founded
on more substantial basis than so-called loyalty.
In the very nature OF things, the Southern people
will stand nloof from the party represented BY Mr.
SHERMAN, hut all thinking men will willingly de-
clare their purpose TO maintain the laws and mp
hold the principles of freedom and true republican
government, that peace and prosperity maybe
secured throughout the land This is the unal-
terablc determination of leading men every ywhere,
despite the slandcrous declarations that "spirit
{. of disaffec:ion'' exists in their breasts.
Senator MORTON, of Indiana, is the next promi-
nent Radical who goes through the boring process
inauguracd by the Herald Tho antecedcnts of
this gentleman are we'll known to the country, and
his record upon reconstruction equally clear.
That is. he has been on both sides of The contro-
| yersy between the Executive and Legislative de-
partmcnts of the government, rs in 1865 strong
supporter of the Johnsonan policy and in 1867 an
ultra member of the extreme Radical faction. But,
then. lie was Governor of Indiana in the first in
stance, and had not arisen 10 the dignity of United
States Senator, which was probably obtained
through n knowledge of his conservative views.
Al any rate, he became one of the great lights Of
the Radical party when the provisional govern
ments" were stricken down in the South, and
military despolism established in their stead. As
such, one of those faithful correspondents is sent
10 ply The honorable gentleman, and engage him
in political conversation, of which the following
extract is leading portion:
"Thc reconstruction laws proper, Of course, will
not be interiered with, but the establishment Of
governments i'll these Southern States must be nc
complishcd thoroughly, even if further legislation
| is needed 4 government must afford protection
to its people or it is no government. 1t Should
he self reliant, no doubt, while at the same time
it shields its citizens from insult or injury. The
governments in the Southern States have failed in
this respect not from any inherent defects in the
constitutions of these governments, but from the
spirit or rotous and fnclious disregard Of law mud
order exhibited by one portion of the people, and
the inability Of the other portion-o whom by
legal process OF election the management Of affairs
was cntrustcd-to enforce the law and command
obedience. Until these governments are SO eslab-
lis'led that their official and representatives
can operate without obstruction or intimidation,
Congress is bound TO make such provisions will
&c, rid of the difficulty, and make The State gov
! crpment of Louisiana stable and respected an
organization rs the government Of Pennsylvania.
Tronps may he required for this purpose, and il
| i I,E4..