Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-31
nNoueM on nnoossrnucrIoN.

4
1t is cause for high hope Of the futurl
| that notwithstanding the energetic effort
of the Butler wing of the Radical party
to entirely change our system of govern
ment, respectable portioa Of that party
have not yielded 10 his domineering dicta
ton. On the contrary, under the lead Of
some of the ablest of their members OF
Congress, this respectable portion OF
Radicalism have fought him on every
inch of ground. We hope and believe
they have finally broken his power. The
Radical opposers of Buffers policy in
Congress have received constant encour-
agenent by the powerful arguments
against reconstruction, which have been
presented by many of the leading Radi-
cal Journals. We find in the Louisville
Commercial, of yesterday, well con-
sidered and appropriate appeal to Con-
gress, from which we extract:
Verify it is high time the Georgia bill,
and indeed the whole reconstruction bus
mess, was disposed of and set arrest for
ever. We have been occupied with the
subject for nearly five years, and most
thoughtful and truly patriotic men have
come to the conclusion that the theme is
about exhausted. The time and mind of
Congress is now required to look after
more pressing anu important affairs. FL
nanciaf matters. need to be studied; the
times demand reform of the civil sery-
ice; the tariff is in an unsatisfactory shape,
and the internal revenue system admits
of still further notifications. These are
live and practical questions. They affect
the minds and pockets of every citizen,
no matter what his condition in life. Nor
has Congress bestowed upon these ques-
tions that care anti serious labor which
their intricacy and importance merits.
And so long as many of our leading men
in that body continue to be engrossed
with the worn out problem of reconstruc-
ton, those things which we cannot help
feeling to be of vastly more consequence
are treated as of secondary Importance.
Accordingly it seems to us that not Mr..
Butler but Mr.. Bingham represents the
policy of wisdom and patriotism. The
people have had enough of war, and of
the fruits of war. To protract the agita-
ton of the reconstruction question can
have no other effect than to keep alive
the war spirit. When the President
penned that memorable phrase, 'eLet US
have peace" surely he did not contem-
plate the perpetuatiOn of this unhappy
squabble with the people of the Southern
States. For our part we desire to be at
peace with them, and it is our sincere be-
lief that the sentiment is reciprOcated by
the great mass of the inhabitants of those
States. But SO long as their domestic
concerns are made the subject of vim
dictive interference on the part of
Congress there can be no civil re-
pose for them, no return of national
spirit, no revival of love and devotion
to the Union. Nominally, the people of
the North and South are again fellow
citizens. But that is not enough. There
should be identity of feeling, as there GER
tainly is identity of interest. We should
feel that our destinies are interviewer for
veal or for woe, and each aad all of us
should endeavor TO effect the restoration
of that ancient love of country which has
been fugitive from this country for so
many years.
But the course of Mr. Butler, and in
deed of all others who insist upon keep
ing up the debate on reconstruction,
whether in Congress or among the press
and people, carries US further and further
away from that era of peace and good
feeling which it was hoped would follow
the election Of Gen. Grant