Daily Kennebec journal., 1875-02-23
lailn geNnctPt SourN2I
AUG T. st A.
TUESDAY MORNING. Feb. IS. 1875.
rHrRton. nEEn on THE sI7EA u0N

tellipepce for which the author is distln-
guished. His views in regard to the pres
ent situation will not have the weight they
would were he actively engaged in poll
tics for, as he points on. himself. the more
a person is withdrawn from the atmos
phere of politics, the less is be capable of
understanding the political conditions in
the country al large and Judging as to pol
ieies and results. The letter occupies
more than three columns of the Tribune,
and is directed to V. W. Smith,
Speaking of the causes of the repnoh-
can defeat experienced in the elections
last fall. he saws it was due to the tiuan-
cial panic.-for which the government
was not responsible, but which came
from the exhaustive consequences OF a
long and expensive war. ."-to,hc back-pay
business, imbeciities in the treasury de-
partment, Sanborn contracts, Washington
city government frauds, and the agitation
of the question of a third term for Presi-
dent Grant The last mentioned subject
he considers one of serious Importance,
and takes decided and strong ground
against third term for any President,
quoting Washington, Jefferson, Madison,
Monroe and Jackson against it. 'If,"
says he .there be anything unalterably
fixed and determined in the American
mind and heart-if there be any one
principle to which our people have an
"chored, il is the third term example of
Washington. And am devoutly thank
"ful that there is so much left ofthe teach
''ings of our political fathers to which
their descendants cling. These things,
added to the causes which you so clearly
.'present, both explain and excuse the
feeling which found expression through
1.-The ballot.box against the administra-
.tion."
Among the measures necessary 10 nation
al prosperity Mr.. Weed mentions first that
Of resumption of specie payments. This
he would do gradually and not by any
forcing process. England after her pro-
tracted wars waited twenty Years to re-
sume. We can resume in less time if we
will. Mr.. Greeley's homestead law next
comes in for sharp eensure from his old
antagonist. In regard to q protective tar
if, he speaks of the tariff from 1918 TO
1886, as ''wise protective tariff. the OPP
erations of which were beneficial to all
the interests and industries of the coun-
try, the like of which he would be pleased
to see repeated. Statesmen Of pure char
acter are needed. Trade-unions and eight
and Ten hour systems are vigorously de-
nounced. 81 knew nothing" he says, sin
'early life of these miserable eight and
"ten hour systems, and owe whatever l
..have since enjoyed of success and con-
''sideration to the habit, rs an apprentice.
"a journeyman, and small beginner on
my own account, of devoting from
..eleven to twelve hours day diligently
land cheerfully to active and healthful
physical labor" In relation TO recon-
struction we quote more fully from his
letter:
Reconstruction, from the beginning most DIFF
fcult problem, has been embarrassed by want of
wisdom at Washington and by embittered memo
ries in the South. The disorganized condition Of
the Southern States attracted thence bold and IN.
scrupulous Northern adrenturers, Who associated
with dsbanded soldiers, 'the cankers Of long
war;" remained to devastate conquered country.
These wretches inflicted upon South Carolina,
Florida, Louisiana, &C., &c, the worst possible
rfS ata MT tba ypf,
perpetrated in these and other Rebel States cvil
zation bushes. And yet those who suffer from
carpet-ba dishonesty and oppression are them
selves largely to blame for it. When rebellion
was conquered if the white inhabitants yielding
to the inevitable and recognizing their former
slaves as freedmen, had treated them kindly and
offered them employments with reasonable wages
the designs Of carpet baggers would have been
thwarted. l affirm this because there is undena
bile evidence that in localities where the law Of
kindness prevails, where masters endeavored to
conciliate their former slaves, they were uniform
ly successful, and that in such localities not only
nothing is heard of a war between races" bat
reconstruction has been practically accomplished.
These instances of good sense and forbearance,
regret to say, are exceptional. For the most part
those who rushed into rebellion to divide the I'm
ion are now as aggrt ssive and defiant As they
when Fort Sumter was fired upon. Unable TO es
tablish Confederate Government, they seemed
determined to avenge themselves upon the freed
men, who, but for the madness and folly Of their
masters, would have still remained in bondage
The "Whte Leagues Of Louisiana were only
too accurately described by Gen. Sheridan. Such
organizations are not needed to subseve the pu1-
poses Of good government. They are banded to-
geher TO hunt, hound, and If needs be, murder the
negroes. Reconstruction therefore, seems as DIFF
feut and dist ant at the close Of the war.
Georgia always less ultra and more practical than
south Carolina Alabama, has re-established law
and order. North Carolina nfamously governed
for two or three years, seems now TO be doing bet
ter That United States soldiers are required in some
excited sections TO protect freedmen cannot be
1ubted. The officers in command should be men
of intelligence and prudence, acting only when
the duty is clearly imperative. InLousiana there
has been nothing but misrule disorder, fraud, cor
rup:ion anarchy and violence from the close Of
the war. 1t Is difficult TO ascertain which party or
what faction is the worst. Gen. Grant was not,
fear, fortunate in his early appointments OF FEEDER
al officers; nor do believe The Kellogg Govern
ment worthy Of the sacrifices required 10 maintain
It. The Congressional Committee recently in New
Orleans may find remedy for the evils, which
have so long scourged that fertile and rich bat
miserably distracted State.
Mr.. Weed says he cherished the hope
that the Wings Of the South would form a
nucleus for reconstruction after the war
WAS over, and has not vet relinduisbed