Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-01-10
8fotoro enquirer.
rHE onsTRucTIONIsTs.


Tho utter depravity aud recklessuess OF
Andy johnson and his copperhead allies is
strikingly manifested at the present time
For nearly two years after the close OF the
war they constantly abused Congress and
the Republican party because they did not,
with headlong precipitancy, restore the
rebel States to their former status 10 the
Union. They were then in favor Of imme-
diate restoration, and heaped abuse without
stint upon Congress for what they chose to
call its tardiness in the work. Congress
after mature deliberation and careful inyes-
tigation adopted plan of reconstruction
much milder than Andy johnson had be-
fore advocated Scarcely was the ink dry
with which il was written, when the Presi-
dent with his horde Of rebel and copperhead
followers, began to oppose the adoption Of
the required measures in The lately rebel
hous States and do all in their power to
prevent their restoration. At once all the
executive power and patronage was welded
to prevent the calling Of conventions, and
adoption of constitutions preparatory to re-
1..--.- sr~.. i40VUTIUdsIy 10 sympathy
with the rebellion were sent South at gov
ernment expense to gather up and manuiac-
ture false reports of the condition Of the
country, and of the utter unftness OF the
Union men Of the South to govern them
selves. Wherever it was found that the
work Of restoration was progressing most
rapidly, every possible obstruction was
thrown in the way by the removal OF officers
and the appointment Of others either known
or hoped to be in sympathy with the op-
struetion policy of the President. Thus the
spirit of rebellion was nurtured and encour-
aged by presidential treachery, until to-day
but a single officer originally in command OF
the various departments remains, every
other having been removed because he per-
mitted the work of restoration to 60 on too
smoothly and swiftly. The appalling re-
cord of this obstruction policy is carefully
kent from the public as far as the prostltu-
ton of the associated press can control the
transmission of such news But murder
viii out, and the record Of crime and blood
shed that comes to US from all parts Of the
South is almost without parallel. Union
men, white and Black, are hunted and shot
down like wild beasts, deliberate murders
arc of every day occurrence, and the deter
mination of the late rebels seems to be to
exterminate the Union men Of the South.
Notwithstanding the righteousness of these
proceedings, not a criminal is brought to
justice, not murderer is subjected to even
the appearance Of a trial This is all the
result of having a degraded and traitorous
executive. He has removed every efficient
officer, and in every way by speeches and
actions encouraged this lawless spirit. And
while so doing he and his followers are using
every means in their power to prevent the
restoration Of these States to the Union, un-
less the control Of their governments is given
into the hands OF these mur0elUus deuiUus,
who not satisfied with the horrid bloodshed,
cruelty, starvation and cold blooded muir
ders perpetrated during the rebellion, con-
tinue to mbrue their guilty hands in the
blood Of innocent men, whose greatest Of
fence has been to love their country and sus-
tain her lawful government. Inciting to
these dark deeds Of blood is the daily work
Of the Copperhead leaders of the country
while they ask to have its government
nlaeed in their hands.