The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-09-25
An Important Letter from Henry
Ward Beechcr.
PEEKsKILL, Thursday, August 80.

me to act as Chaplain of the Conven-
ton of Sailors and Soldiers about to
convene at Cleveland. ! cannot attend
it, but I heartily wish it, and all OTHER
conventions, of what party soever, Sue
cess, whose object is the restoration of
all the States lately in rebellion to their
Federal relations.
Our theory of government has no
place for State except in the Union.-
II is Justly taken for granted that the
duties and responsibilities 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 prescribed conditions
are fulfilled. as if it were dangerous to
leave the community outside of the
great body polite.
Had the loyal Senators and Repre-
sentativcs of Tennessee been admitted
at once, on the assembling of Congress,
and. in moderate succession, Arkansas,
Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and
Virginia, the public mind of the South
would have been far more healthy than
! il is, and those States which fingered on
probation to the last would have been
under more salutary influence to good
conduct than if dozen armies watched
over them.
Refusing to admit loyal Senators and
Representatives form the South to Con-
gress will not help the freedmen. 1t
will not secure for them the vote. It
will not protect them. 1t will not Sc
cure any amendment of our Constitu-
! ton. however Just and wise. 1t will
only increase the dangers and compli-
cate the difficulties. Whether we re-
gard the whole nation, or any section Of
it, or class of it, the first demand of our
time is entire reunion!
| Once united, we can. by schools,
churches. free press and increasing
free speech, attack each evil and secure
every good.
Every moment that we delay this
hcalthful step complicates the case. The
excluded population, enough unsettled
before, grow more irritable: the army
becomes Indispensable to local govern
ment, and supersedcs it; the Govern
mcnt at Washington is called to inter
fcrc in one and another difficulty. and
this will be done inaptly, and sometimes
with great iniusticc-tor our Govern
mcnt wisely adapted to its own pro.
per furct,ons. is utterly devoid oftEosc
habits, and uncquipped with the instru
mcnts which fit centralized govern
, mcnt to exercise authority in remote
States over local affairs. Every attcmp
TO pcr(orm such duties has resulted il
mistakes which have excited the nation
=, But whatever imprudcncc there may be
I, in the method the feel-~.iHcis.1 shcuh
= be against the roquisition of such dutio
. ~ y. ' ( Mt
, The Federal Government is unfit t
exercise minor police and local govern
ment. and will inevitably blunder whe
it attempts it. TO keep a half score c
!, States under Federal authority, BIT
. without national ties and responsible:
ties TO Obligc the central authority Il
d govern half the territory of the Uniol
u bv Federal civil officers and by the ar
C MY. is policy not only uncongcnial It
G our ideas and principles, but pre- emf
Il ncntlv dangerous to the spirit of GU
d Government. However humane tn
&c ends sought and the motives it is. il
y fact course of instruction, preparing
l. our Government to be despotc and til
e miliarzing the people to astretch O
'. authority which can never BOTHER tina
l., dangerous to liberty.
y am aware that good men are with
o held from advocating the pompt an
!e successive admission of ne exile
p States by the fear, chiefly OF its ctleC
s. upon parties and upon frcedhen.
l. 1t is said that if admitted Il Congress
&c the Southern Senators and representa-
y tivcs will coalesce with Northern Dem
< ocrats and rule the country. Is this III
TO ton then to remain dismeIbered t
serve the ends of parties? Have W
learned no wisdom by the history c
the past ten years, in whic. Just thi
Is course of sacrificing the nation to til
B. cXigencics of parties plunged us int
- rebellion and war?
>. Even admit that the power shout
10 pass into the hands of part made II
1t. of Southern men and the hitherto di'
T. honored and mislcd Democracy Of I'll
~ North. that power could MT be use
Just as they pleased. The var hi
changed, not alone institutions, bl
ey ideas. The whole country has advan,
lis ed. Public sentiment is eXalHa far b,
H. You'd what it has been at any form'
period. A new party, wouA, like
river, be obliged to seek its chnnels
the already existing slopes 4d form
iii of the continent.
ne We have entered new era. of libe
,r- ty. The style of thought Stree al
me moro noble. The young mW of OF
to times are regcncrated. The geat arm
IL has been a school, and huldrcds
No. thousands of men are gona home
ne preach trucr and nobler viw of HI
ve man rights. All the industnl int
y ests Of society are moving WIN increa
cd wisdom towards intellitncc al
liberty. Evcrywhcre-in clfrches,
IFS literature, and nature and mural SC
A. cnccs, in physical industrios,in soci
he questions, as well rs in polilig, the II
mt ton feels that the winter is DER, and
ID new spring hangs in the hoizon Al
m works through all the elclrnts.
nj this happily changed and advpccd co
nt. dition of things, no party of he retr
" grade can maintain itself lkerythii
marches, and parties must mach.
hear with wonder and Shame al
of scoyn the fear Of few that tc Sou
vor once moro in adjustment will the Fe
40 eral Government will rule Til nation
liz The North is rich-never s0eich; d
nf South is poor-ncver beforob poor.
,ut The population of the NorthEs near
p"' double that Of the South. le indl