New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-08-08

unquestioned sentiment of history that tn
liberty which Mr.. Lincoln declared with hi
pen General Grant made efectual with hi
sword-by his skill in leading the Unto
armies to final victory9
But I prefer that General Grant sha
speak for himself, by here quoting from hi
private letter to Mr. Washburne, and pub
| lished without the Generals knowledge o
permission, dated August 80, 1868, in whic
he said; "The people of the North need no
quarrel over the institution of slavery. Wha
Vice President Stephens acknowledges a
the corner stone of the Confederacy is al
ready knocked out. Slavery is already dead
and cannot be resurrected. 1t would take
standing army 10 maintain slavery in tn
South, if we were to make peace to- da
guaranteeing to the South all their forme
constitutional privileges.
81 never was an Abolitionist-not ever
what could be called anti slavery-but tr.
to judge fairly and honestly, and because
patent to my mind, early in the rebellion
that the North and South could never liv,
in peace with each other except as on,
nation. as anxious as I am to see peace
and that withoM slarery, re established,
Uould not therefore be willing to see ans
settlement until this question is forever set
Hed"
In q letter written by Mr.. Lincoln to Gen
eral Grant, April 80, 1864, is this emphatic
sentences 81 wish to express in this way my
entire satisfaction with what you have done
up to this time"
HE HAS BEEN TRUE IN PEACE AS IN WAR.
But since he became President how faith,
fully has he carried out his pledges in which
we are most directly interested?
In his inaugural, March 4, 1867, we find
these wise words in regard TO suffrage and
the fifteenth amendment:
"The question of suffrage is one which is
likely to agitate the public SO long as a por-
ton Of the citizens of the nation are ex-
cluded from Its privileges in any State. 1t
seems to me very desirable that this ques
ton should be settled now, and l entertain
the hope and express the desire that it may
be by the ratification of the fifteenth article
of amendment to the Constitution
Indeed, his language often points to his
clear apprehension of the fact that peace
could only be fully restored by removing
the causes of disturbance. In his message
in regard TO Mississippi and Virginia, April
7, 1869, while he urges the restoration of
the States to their proper relations to the
Government as speedily as possible, he
clearly states that it must be conditioned
that the people of those States shall "be
willing to become peaceful and orderly COM
and to adopt and maintain such
constitutions and laws as will effectually
secure the civil! and political rights of all
persons within their borders.
He CoMMENDs THE INDUSTRY OF THE FREED.
MEN.
True to all his instincts, all his declara.
ions and acts in his first annual message,
ne has for our people as freedmen kind
word, and declares the freedmen, under
he protection they have received, are max
ng rapid progress in learning, and no com.
plants are heard of lack of industry on their
part where they receive fair remuneration
or their labor; and among the reasons
which he finds for gratitude to the Giver of
Ill good, is country with population of
orty millions of free people, all speaking
me language; with facilities for every NOR
al to acquire an education with institutions
losing to none the avenues to fame or any
blessing of fortune that may be coveted;
With freedom of the pulpit, the press, and
he school," Again, he declares that the
second great object Of the Government is
o secure protection to the person and prop.
rty of the citizen of the United States in
ach and every portion of our common coun-
ry wherever he may choose to move, with
nut re ference to original nationality, reli.
ion, color, or politics, demanding of him
My obedience to the laws and proper re-
pect for the rights of others.'
HE RATIFICATION OF THE 15Tm AMENDMENT.
Though, as he said, it is unusual to notify
he two Houses by message, of the promul-
alton of the ratification of an amendment
} the Constitution, yet he sent one in re-
ard to the ratification of the fifteenth
in which he said: "Institu-
ons like ours, in which all power is derived
irectly from the people, must depend
,ainly upon their intelligence, patriotism,
nd industry. | call the attention, there.
're, of the newly. enfranchised race to the
Importance of their striving in ever honor
BILE manner to make themselves worthy of
leir new privilege. To THE RACE MORE
AvORED HERETOFORE BY OUR LAWS WOULD |
AY, WITHHOLD NO LEGAL PRIVILEGE OF AID.
ANCENENr TO THE NEW CITIZEN. The |
'amers Of our Constitution firmly believed |
lat republican government could not en-
ure without intelligence and education gen
rally diffused among the people" The
Father of his country" in his farewell |
ddress, used this language: "Promote,
len, as matter Of primary importance,
lsiitutions for the general diffusion of
nowledge. In proportion as the structure
the Government gives force to public
pinion, it is essential that public opinion
!ould be enlightened" In his first annual
essage to Congress the same views are
'rcibly presented, and are again urged in
is eighth message.
repeat that the adoption Of the fifteenth
mcndment to the Constitution completes
lie greatest civil change, and constitutes
lie most important event that has occurred
nee the nation came into life. The change
ill be beneficial in proportion to the heed
lat is given to the urgent recommendations
Wa Shinntan LIE 1LacA raaaI,,n M nd ~ inna