National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-20
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Street SOut
Hugh McCulloch on lincoln.

Whether Mr.. Lincoln would have been
competent to deal with the questions which
were presented after the war In tho recon-
struction Of the southern states; whether he
would have exhibited the qualities Of n
statesman, Is, know, regarded by many as
somewhat doubtful, but II Is, think, only
fair to infer, from the ability which he dis
played as President, that he would have
been equal to the new duties which he
would have been called to perform, " he
had completed the term for which lie had
been elected. He was well versed In con-
stitutional law, his mind was well balanced,
he was free from vindictiveness, and he
was emincntly patriotic. He would not
have quarreled with his party as
his successor, Mr.. johnson. did. He had
the confidence of the people, and could,
therefore, have given direction to recon-
structive legislation. His aim would have
been to bring about by honorable concilla-
ton harmonious relations between the sec
tions, to secure the supremacy of the gov
eminent without interference with the re-
served rights Of the states. There is
nothing In his record to indicate that he
would have favored the immediate and full
Acknowledgement Of those who, having been
always in seyitude, were untitled for an
intelligent and independent use of the
ballot. In the plan for the rehabilitation
Of the south which he and his
Cabinet had partially agreed upon, and
which Mr. johnson and the same Cabinet
endeavored TO perfect and carry out, no pro-
vision was made for negro suffrage. This
question was purposely left open for further
consideration and for congressional action,
under such amendments Of the constitution
as the changed condition Of the country
might render necessary. From some OF
his incidental expressions, and from his
well-known opinions upon the subject of
suffrage, and the states to regulate 1t,
my conclusion is that he would have been
disposed to let that question remain as 1t
stood before the war; with, however, such
amendments Of the constitution as would
have prevented any but those who were
permitted to vote In federal elections from
being included In the enumeration for repre-
sentatives In Congress-thus inducing the
recent slave states, for the purpose of in
creasing their congressional influence and
power, to give the ballot to black men as
well as white
Nor would Mr.. Lincoln have been vindic-
tive against the masses who had been in
arms against the government. Educated,
as the people of the south had been, In the
doctrine that the Union was confederation
of states, from which any state or number
of states might withdraw when in the opln-
ion of majority of their citizens IL had
failed to accomplish the object for which 1t
was formed. he would not have regarded
the attempted secession as being treason,
IN the ordinary acceptation OF the term; nor
would he have regarded as traitors any Of
the southern people except those who while
continuing to hold federal offices and TO
draw their pay from the federal treasury
used the influence of their positions TO
overthrow the government whose servants
they were. For them he would have
fa M In than IA
have granted no pardons. They were
guilty Of treason, for which there could be
no palliatiOn. These, however, were com
paratively few. The war on the part of the
south was revolutionary. II was not only
so considered by other nations, but by those
who administered the government after the
war was ended Officers OF high
were appointed to federal offices by
Gen. Grant. The vice president of the con
federacy, when subsequently In Congress
was treated with great respect by botl
parties, Two Of the members Of the pres
| ent Cabinet and nearly every one OF the
southern senators in the last and present
| Congress held distinguished civil or mill
tary positions under the confederate gov
eminent This would not, could not, hay,
been the case had they been guilty o.
| treason, They We're rcvolutionists, moi
| traitors, and as such they would have beer
treated by Mr. Lincoln,
Nor would Mr.. Lincoln have appointed
to southern offices such men as, unfOrtu
nately, were appointed, whose chief mis-
sion seemed to have been TO enrich them
selves, overload the stateswlth debt, and per
petuate the sectional dlscord which had al
ways, to some extent, existed, and whicl
had been aggravated and intensified by tn
war. His sympathy was as broad as hi
patriot sn. Devoted 10 the Union--no