The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-04-12
RECONSTRUCTI0N.
The lincoln vs.. stanton PIan-Inter-
estimg Cabinet Secrets.
Fsom the st. Louis Republican,

FIom the St. Louis Republican,
The papers heretofore contribu-
ted to the Galaxy magazine by
Hon. Gideon Weiles, eX-secretary of
the navy, have been extremely valu-
able in a historical point of view;
throwing as they do, much light up
on some of the most important
movements OF the war, and showing
precisely where the credit or the
blame of success or failure belongs.
Based not alone on personal recol
lections, but on memoranda made
at the time the events occurred, and
also on private official documents
never before published, these papers
present an array of plain facts which
cannot be dispFoyed-and, so far
as We are aware, there has been no
attempt to do so. In short, the
contributions of Mr.. Welles are in
the best and truest sense of the
word, reliable history. In the latest
article, which appears in Galaxy
for April, he passes from military
and naval operations to the more
peaceful, but infinitely more impor-
tant, domain of politics, giving US a
clear insight into the views of Pres
ident Lincoln concerning recon
struction, and the dicussions of the
cabinet thereon, Immediately be-
fore and after his death. AS this
subject has been the theme of much
debate IN public and private circles,
and as this is the first authoritive
revelation regarding it which has
ever appeared in print, we propose
to produce q few Of the leading fea-
lures, asking for them the careful
attention of our readers. After al
1ading to Mr.. Lincoln's connection
with the Wing party, and his chiv-
alric devotion to Henry Clay, Mr..
Welles says:
Time, reflection and maturer years
tempered his enthusiasm and modi-
fed his feelings. He did not who'll
ly relinquish his party obligations,
but investigation, discussion and
response biity had wrought change
in his views. Aside from personal
admiration of the eloqent Wing
champion, which fingered In his
mind a pleasant remembrance, and
apart from association which begets
attachment, Mr.. Lincoln, in his later
years, retained but little zeal for
Wing doctrines. When elected,
and during his administration, he
was sincerely and eonscientiously,
in feeling and in principle, FEEDER
al Republican, friend Of States
rights, and in his general views an
opponent of Consolidation. Obser-
walton and experience made him
less centralist and more State
rights Republican than he had been
in his earlier years. If the exigen-
cies of war impelled him to exer-
else extraordinary and sometimes
doubtful powers, he lamented the
necessity, and became more and
more an admirer of the federative
system, and in his convictions an
earnest constitutionalist.
When it became evident that the
war was drawing to close, Mr..
Lineoln's anxiety in regard to the
condition and treatment of the
South naturally increased, and he
was continually talking about the
matter to members of the cabinet,
In and out of session.
He dreaded and deprecated VIC
lent and revengeful feelings, or any
malevolent demonstrations toward
those of our countrymen who were
involved, voluntarily or involuntar-
lily, in the rebellion. The leaders,
ne believed, would flee the country
when they became satisfied their
cause was hopeless. He often ex-
pressed a wish that they might be
facilitated in their escape, and no
strenuous efforts made to prevent
their egress. * x His great object
was clemency to the rebels and
peace to the country.
have reason to suppose that III in
terviews with General Grant and
Sherman he bad enioined upon
them the concession of liberal terms
to the rebels on the first indication
of disposition to yield and ADAM
don the contest. To these merciful
and considerate views of the Pres
dent may be attributed the liberal
terms extended by the conquering
generals to Lee and Johnston.
Each of our generals was impressed
with the humane, generous and pa
triotic design of the President,
whose earnest, deepest wish was
peace to the people, an early resto-
ration of the national union, and
the re-establishment of the States
and people in all their original, re-
served and undoubted rights, on
terms of equality and justice.
After the surrender of Lee came
the proclamation or order of Gen
eral Weitzel converting the Virgil
MIA legislature, which did not meet
the cordial approval of the major
ity of the cabinet. Mr.. Welles
stated his objections to the presi-
dent In a private conversation, and
the ideas of the latter are set forth
as follows;
He said his object and Intentions
were to effect reconciliation as
soon as possible, and he should not
sickle about forms. provided he
should attain the desired result;
that he thought 1t best to meet the
rebels as men, fellow-countrymen,
who were reasonable and intelligent
and had rights which we were will
ing and disposed to respect. They
had been in error, had appealed to
arms, and, after having fought well,
were beaten and humbled.