Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-13

he said: ssTod, what DO you think of it2''
The Governor warmly acquiesced in the
Presidents view of it, while Stanton and
Galloway expressed themselves as on the
doubtful side, although il might have some
what the effect anticipated by the Presi-
dent.
GWen, gentlemen continued Mr. Lin
coin, slet US conclude that it will, and that
that phase Of the question is finally settled.
What most concerns me, however, is the
after consequences Of this wholesale emaul-
cipatiOn Of four millions Of people, who,
for period Of nearly two centuries, have
been in the most absolute bondage, and
who, necessarily, are totally devoid Of the
requisite intelligence to enable them TO
take care Of themselves. If my life is
spared, and on me should deyOlve, In con-
neetion with the National Legislature, the
solving Of this important problem, l am
free to say, right here, that, in my opinion,
the blacks should be regarded in the same
light as an infant just born, and necessarily
dependent on its parent for the most care
full and nurturing aid; that the benign
spirit of education must form the chief
cornerstone Of their nurture; that in
this most important matter they must be
learned 10 crawl before they are permit
ted to stand upright and walk. What
1 mean by this smile is, that they
cannot, on the instant, be qualified to take
care of themselves; that it would be futile
and dangerous TO intrust them with a share
of the governing power. They cannot be
expected to grasp, on the instant, the true
principles Of republican government. In
short, gentlemen, the now ignorant blacks
must be educated up to the situation. As
with some, I do not entertain any fears Of
their former masters, that they will seek to
wreak vengeance on their former slaves,
looking on them as the prime cause Of their
discontinue. l believe, on the contrary,
the whites will treat the blacks with kind
ness. On them (the former slayes) they
Che whites) will be compelled to lean for
years for their very subsistence. To guard
against anything Of the vengeance order,
however, and to gain time for the educa-
ton of the blacks, Iwould place the subdued
States under a kind of semi-military terrific
rial government, granting partial voice to
the blacks, after a while, in the govern
ment Of the territory, but Withholding an
indiscriminate ballot until is purpOrt was
better and thoroughly understood by them.
In this way / would place the Southern
1AdlEo uAA4 HIDlAG uAAANA a AOhEAAAAAAEAALdA
pupilage, compelling them to look to the
General Government as their parent and
protector. This state of things should, in
my opinion, continue for at least ten years.
In that time great progress could be made
in the education and general enlightenment
of the blacks; the former masters would be
enabled TO get used to the changed situa-
ton; the population would be beneficially
leayenediby immigration from the North and
the European States to such degree as to
make il safe and proper to again admit the
recusant South, in a body, TO full COM
muniOn with their Northern brethren.
Any other course would, in my opinion, be
dangerous, unWise and full Of disastrous
consequences"
While delivering this opinion-or rather
plan of cOnstructiOn-Mr. Lincoln seemed
inspired. His cOuntenanee, just before so
full Of melancholy wrinkles, seemed to
smooth out, his eyes shOne like diamonds,
and his whole contour was of the most an
imated description. II was listened to
in the most complete silence by those in
the room; and after its conclusion the 81
lence continued for the space Of a. least
ten minutes. All seemed deeply impressed
Secretary Stanton in particular, who sat
with his hand buried in his beard, and the
burden Of the most intense thought on bis
expressive brow. Indeed, the silence was
almost painful.
Sam. Galloway was the first to break the
silence, with The exclamation (eviden'ly
intended as a relief: '.Mr. President, how
are you, anyhow in 4 CHEEKY voice. This
remark diSsipated the sOlemnity of the Oc-
casiOn, and after a short general converse
tiOn, Mr.. Stanton took leave of the party,
leaving Gov. Tod, Sam. Galloway and the
President together. Then commenced what
might be called a relaxation. Mr.. Lincoln
commenced one Of his inimitable stories.
Galloway duplicated it and Tod tripli-
cated-they were all celebrated in that line
and thus another full hour and a half
was consumed, after which the Governor
and Mr.. Galloway took leave Of the Presi
dent and wen. to their hotel.
OfcOurse it is not claimed that the above
plan Of Mr.. Lincoln's is narrated in the
identical words used by this great man on
the occasion, but the gist Of il is here rec
orded; and it is fair to presume that had
his life been spared he would have urged
upon Congress this plan Of reconstruction.