The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1872-09-13

II
~ transcends the question of legitimate
political influence. II 10 tho manner in
| which the recognized ends of the govern
ment are sustained-protection to person
| and property-and especially projection
| for those unauthorized to protect them
/ selves. For this sake nations have often.
time been content to endure tyranny. The
| symbol of safety has proved moro potent
than the flag of freedom In many lands
How has this been at the south, where re-
Cancellation was to he compassed7 How
has life and the family been environed with
an atmosphere ofsecurity? How has trade
been encouraged, taxation lightened, pro.
perty protected In other words, has the
administration there been synonym in
such sense of good government? Scarce
| ly will any contend so. On the contrary,
do not hesitate 10 affirm that It has been
an organized system of depreciation and
plumber. whereby q most debased set of
! trafficers in northern honor have been
foisted upon southern communities to strip
| them of their substance in the name OF
loyalty. The extent TO which this has
gone 10 almost incredible. SO enormous
| does the computation aggregate, that IL
| might we'll be mishelieved, were it not
borne out by the official report Of q con.
gressional commission. 1t 10 from the in
formation therein contained that the
figures are drawn which desire now to
submit to your thoughtful consideration.
They will well repay your study, even
| when you return to your homes, for they
tell the strange, sad story Of nearly seven
hundred thousand square miles of territory
given up to pillage under the ostensible
forms Of republican government.
The difference between the debts of the
several states subjected 70 his domonina-
ton Of the national administration before
that went into effect, and at the present
time, will measure approximately the in
jury that has been done. The increased
rate OF taxation and cost Of government
will show the hardship that must hereafter
be borne by the people it has undertaken
to care for. The two together will throw
additional light on the question why the
conquered sections have not been recon.
ciled to such rule as has been prescrib ed
by the conquest.
Upon the termination of hostilities q
military occupancy was had of the states
that had been in rebellion. and BY act of
congress Of March 2, 1867. they were con-
stituted into separate military depart
ments. Satisfied that there was every dis
position manifested there to acquiesce in
the result OF the war, and confirmed still
further in that belief by the report Of the
general of the army, who made an ex.
tended tour of inspection with that view,
congress by acts passed in June, 1865, be.
gan the work OF reconstruction. Prior to
that time the confederate debts, local and
general, had been repudiated, SO that the
vast increase which has since resulted is
all chargeable directly to the reconstruc-
ton policy Of the president. 1t has been
done entirely under the auspices Of repub-
lican rule. 1t has been sustained and for.
titled throughout by the administration at
Washington. What the measure Of that
spolation has actually been, may be best
realized from the tsbulated statement l
now submit: