Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-09-25
Pc A E.
An Important Letter from Henry
Ward Beecher.
The Political Situation as View
ed from the Pulpit of Plymouth
Church.
The duty of the hour as pointed
out On the G9'edt RddicdL DiUjIIe.
PEEKsKILL, Thursday, Aug. 30.

PEEKsKILL, Thursday, Aug. 30.
GENTLEMEN: | am obliged to you for the
invitation which you have made TO me TO
act as Chaplain OF the Convention Of Sailors
and Soldiers about to convene at Cleveland.
cannot attend it, but heartily wish it,
and all other conventions, Of what party
soeyer, success, whose object is the restora-
tion of all the States lately in rebellion to
their Federal relations.
Our theory of government has no place
for State except 10 the Union. 1t is just.
ly taken for granted that the duties and re-
sponsibilities Of State in Federal relations
tend to its political health, and to that OF
the whole nation. Even Territories are
hastily brought in, often before the prescribe
ed conditions are fulfilled, as if ii were dan
gerous to leave the community outside OF
the great body pol tic.
Had the loyal Senators and Representa-
tives of Tennessee been admitted at once,
on the assembling of Congress, and, in mod
crate succession, Arkansas, Georgia, Ala
bama, North Carolina, aud Virginia, the
public mind of the South would have been
far more healthy than it is, aud those States
which fingered on probation to the last
would have been under more salutary iutlu-
euce 10 good Conduct than it dozen armies
watched over th,m,
Refusing to admit loyal Senators and Rep
reseniatives from the South to Congress
will not help the freedmen. 1t will not Sc
cure for them The vote. IL will not protect
them. IL will not secure any amendment
of our Constitution, however Just aud wise,
II will only increase the dangers and cOm-
piicate the d faculties. Whether we regard
the whole nation, or any Sc ,tion of it, OF
class of it, the first demand Of our time Is
entire reunion
Ouce united, We can, by schools, church
es, tree press and increasing Tree speech
attack each evil aud secure every good.
Every moment that We delay this health
ful step cOmplicateS the case. The eXclu-
ded population, enough unsettled before
grows more irritable the amy becomes
Indispensable TO local government, aud sn-
psrsedvs il; tie Government at Washing
ton is called to Interfere in one and auutheI
difficulty, and this will re done inaptly, ane
sometimes wi b great hju tice-fUr our
Government wisely adapted 10 It's propei
functions, is utterly devoid Of those habits
aud nequipp-d with the instruments whicf
fit centralized government to exercise an
ihority in remote States over iscal affairs
Every ate mpt 70 perform such duties ha
resulted in mistakes which have excited th
nation. But whatever imprudence ther
may be il the method the real critics.
should be against the requsltion Of suu
duties OF the General Government.
The Federal Government is uufit 20 exc
else minor police and local government, al
will inevitsbly blander when II sttepts IL
To keep half score OF States under Fd-
eral authority, but without national ties al
responsibilities 20 oblige the central
thority Ia govern half the territory Il he
Union by Federal civil officers and hy he
army, IS policy not only uncopgeui Hto
our ideas snd principles, but pre-rminetly
dangerous 10 the spirit Ot our GoveruIar.
However humane the ends sought aud ae
motives, Il IS, NJ fact, course Of insthc-
tion, preparing our Government TO be ass
putic and famiiarizing the people "A
stretch Of authority which can never beth
or than dangerous to liberty.
/ am aware that good men are Withheld
from advocating the prompt ard successive
admission of the eXiled States by the ear,
chiefly, Of its effect upon parties aud lpon
freedmen.
IL is said that if admitted 10 Congres the
Southern Senators aud Representative will
cualesce with Northern Democrats 40 rule
the country. Is this nation then 70 rmain
dismembered To serve the ends of priest
Have we learned M wisdom by the STORY
at the past ten years, IN which int this
course OF sacrificing The nation TO te exi-
gencies ct parties plunged rs into roellion
aud war
Even admit that the power shout pass
into the bands OF party made MP olSouth-
ern men aud tho mtnerto dishouord aud
misled Demo ,racy OF the North, iha power
could not be used iusl as they plased. -
The war has charged, not alone Institutions,
! but IDEAS. The whole country haNdvapo
ed. Public sentimeat Is eNhalted Tar be-
youd what il has been az any fIrme period.
| A new party, would, Ike river, ! obliged
/ 10 seek its chanuels ia the alrrad existing
| stones aud forms of the cnutiueut.
We have eutrred a new era of berry
/ The s.yle cf thought is tree ana Tre nob'e
Tue young men Of our times are regenerA-
ted. The great srmy has been chool aud
hundreds OF thousands Of men are gone
home 20 preach a uner and noblr view Of
! human Vi ghts, An the indusJia Interests