The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-02-17
The Sherman-Johnston Plan of
Settlement.

ble plan OF settlement proposed b,
Gen. Sherman and General Johnston
in North Carolina, had not been adopt
ed Immediately by the authorities a
Washington. Gen. Sherman had mad
the most remarkable and successful
expedition of the war, had demonstra
ted the weakness and utter exhaustio,
of the Confederacy, and lett no room
for doubt in the mind of any one tina
the end of the war was near at hand
Still, Gen. Johnston had formidabl.
army and was in that desperate condi.
tion when fight was necessary i
pushed to the wall. If Gen. Sherman
had been ambitious of ending his ca.
reer by bloody victory, he had an
abundant opportunity for the gratifica.
ton of his desires. But lie saw clearly
that the further effusion of blood was
unnecessary, and believed that an am.
icable settlement of the difficulties
could he made at time when some
kind of n settlement was an imperative
necessity. Happily Gen. Johnston was
actuated by the same impulses. And
if Gen. Breckinridge was consulted, as
President johnson afterwards charged,
it rebounds to his credit that he, too,
gave his advice in the interest of hu-
manity and the welfare of both Sec
lions. These two great commanders,
therefore, set to work on q plan of set
Element and in a short time produced
one that was as far superior to all sub
sequent plans as they themselves are
superior in intellect to the, jack leg
politicians who have bought them into
existence. If the plan had been adopt
ed, the war would have ended with the
surrender of the Confederate armies,
and the Federal government would
have been as much praised for it's gen.
crosby and humanity, as it has been
denounced for its vindictiveness and
tyrannical spirit. The State govern
ments would have been recognized as
the only legitimate governments, form
ed as they were by the people, and the
State officers, after having taken the
oath of allegiance, would have proved
as "loyal" as those subsequently ell
ected under the johnson regime, and
certainly as efficient as the carpet-bag
governments which are a disgrace to
the age in which We live.
But Mr.. johnson, for fear that he
might not be deemed as truly loyal as
Nh. Lincoln, refused to ratify the plan
agreed on. The plan having fallen
through, the Confederates were COM
oelled to surrender Internationally
md without obtaining any guarantees
If safety for their political rights. The
question of settlement of the rights of
he States was, therefore, reserved, and
low it has been trifed with, the dis
graceful legislation of tho past four
ears abundantly shows. Without
authority from the Constitution Mr..
Johnson abrogated the State govern
aents and set On foot plan to restore
hem which, whether it originated with
himself, or Mr.. Lincoln, or Mr.. STAN
ON, was as absurd as it was Illegal
t gave to the Radicals their first idea
+ the suicide of the States," and this
lea being recognized by both the Ex-
cutivc aud Legislative Departments,
is natural that, when difficulty
rose between them, the one superior
strength should have insisted Oh a
Ian of its own, and one more in the
'terest of the party which controlled
le legislation of the country. If the
tates had committed suicide then why
lould President have more power
create governments for them, than
ongress with whom rests all the ley
lative power under the government.
ow this assumed power has been
lbsed let the present condition of the
outh answer. Of course the Radical
ongress is mainly responsible for it,
ut MIR. johnson, from whom they Dor
wed the idea, must share the respon- |,
bility with them. l
The reasons assigned by the enemies
the Sherman-Johnston plan for it's
>rogation were as puerile as could ,
ell be imagined. Mr.. johnson gave {
other reason than that it originated .
ith Gen. Breckenridge whom he had ]
pported SO enthusiastically for the
of the United States. Some
the Radicals charged that it was i'll
nded to reestablisll slavery. Moth
6 could have been more absurb.-
en-. Sherman had no desire to rees-
blish slaTery, and Gen. Johnston, if
desired it, knew that it could not be
ne. Probably the negro was never G
ought of by either. They were both
to establish such condi- !
N of things as would enable mhite a
~ to live under and control the State
vernments rs they had done from
. moment of the settlement of the 9