The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-25
A Critical Period In the Life OF the
Republlc-Pen Portraits OF Con-
temporary Statesmen.
A MBELOUS ATTACK UPON
JOHNSON AND SEY MOUR.
Reconstruction and the RecOnstruc'
tlOn Statesmen u Defended-A
Bitterly Partisan Work.

second volume OF Mr.. Blaine's TDenty
Years Of Congress. II is introduced with
Grants portrait facing the portrait OF
Andrew johnson, drawn in firm lines
in the first chapter. This coincidence
is one Of the minor dramatic elements
which give this second portion Of the
work it's sustained interest. The open.
ing chapter has material enough in
the story of Lincoln's death and burial,
and Johnson's accession and first
speeches, to save a whole history from
dullness. Over years sflame with po-
litical contests Mr.. Blaine conducts his
readers, and is a guide who moves
confidently and gives directions clear
ly and persuasively.
usC0LN's FUNERAL.
Here is a part Of the picture Of Lin
coins burial procession: "rhe Bplen-
dor OF the oeremonials which aggran-
die living royalty as much as they
gloriiy dead heioism was wholly want
ing in the obsequies OF Mr.. Lincoln.
No part was taken by the govern
ment except the provision OF a suit
able military escort. All beyond was
the spontaneous movement oil the
people. For 100 miles, through eight
great States OF the Union whose popu-
lation was not less than l5,000,000, an
almost continuous procession OF
mourners attended the remains OF the
beloved President. There wal no
~pageantry save their presence. There
was no tribute but their tears. They
bowed before the bier Of him who bad
been prophet, priest and king to his
people, who had struck the shackes from
the slave, who had taught a higher
sense OF duty to the free man, who had
raised the nation TO a loftier concep.
ton OF faith and hope and charity. A
countless multitude OF men, with
music and banner and cheer aud the
inspiration OF a great cause, pres 'nts q
spectacle that engages the eye, fills the
mind, appeals TO the imagination. But
the deepest sympathy OF the soul 10
touched, the hight Of human sublim-
ity is reached, when the same multi
tude, stricken with a common sorrow,
stands with uncovered head, reverent
and silent"
DEMANDING IL ARMIES.
The grand review OF the armies of
the Potomac and OF Sherman in Wash
ington furnishes another and closely
following gcene for the historian to de-
pict. Eastern and Western troops
thus We'd with each other, though, as
Mr.. Blaine points out, "the %geograph-
ical distinction was not altogether &C.
cuIate, fJr Western troops had always
formed a valuable part Of the Army OF
the Potomac, while troops from the
East were incorporated in Sherman's
army, and had shared the glories OF
the Atlanta campaign and OF the
march to the sea. The quiet dlsband.
ing Of the immense Union force is
described and certain striking facts
about the armies noted, as, for ex-
ample, the youth OF the Union gen.
erals. In one passage tha ages OF the
chief officers are noted. Logan was
but thirty-iive when he went to the
field. Garfield was a major-general at
~thiTty.one. Grant was thirty-eight az
Denelson. Sheridan AZ thirty-four
''smashed" Early, and at thiTty.tive
Mcclellan succeeded Scott, and a long
list OF young men did splendid service.
LINooLN's POLICY OF RRCoNsTRUCTIoN.
The chapter recounting Lincoln's
attempts at reconstruction will revive
the recollections Of those then old
enough to note what was passing, and
will illustrate to the new generation
the extraordinary difficulties OF the
problem, while the account OF John
sons political decline and fall is con-
else and instructive. Mr.. Seward is
given due prominence in this period.
Mr.. Blaine says: at might we'll in
deed be said Of Mr.. Seward as Mr..
Webster ea!d of Samuel Dexter: The
earnestnees Of his convictions wrought
conviction in others. One was ON.
WINGED and believed and aesented be-
cause II was gratifying and delightful
to think and feel and believe in unison
with an intellect OF such evident supe-
riority.' The opportunity given the
South by Johnson's unexpected
clemenOy wa3 misused. Leading rebels
were nominated for office, and the
colored man wat trampled on" OF
this Mr.. Blaine says: what was
done during the year Immediately fol-
lowing the surrender of the rebel
armies was done at Southern sugges-
ton, done by Southern men, done
under the belief that the Presidents
policy would protect them in 1t, done
with q fixed and merciless determi-
nation that the gracious act Of emanci-
patton should not bring amelioration
to the colored race, and that the
pseudo-philanthrophy, as they regard
edthe anti-slavery feeling Of the North,
should be brought into contempt be.
fore the world"
With the meeting OF the Thirty
ninth Congress in December, 1865, Mr..
Colfsx in the chair and Thaddeus
Stevens, the Republican leader, came
the tug Of war" in reconstruction.
"Gen. Banks resumed the seat which
he had left TO accept the Governorship
of Massachusetts, in 1857. His check
cred and remarkable career, both civil
and military, during the eight inter-
veninR years bad greatly increased his
reputation. . . g The first debate on
reconstruction developed the fact that
the Democrats in Congress would en-
deavor to regain the ground they had
lost by their hostility 20 Mr.. Lincoln'a
administration during the war" Grad
ually oil hope Of co. operation between
President and Republicans in Con-
gress wa abandoned. The Republic
n stood firm. "rhe Wings OF 1871
were C~ontendiug only for systems Of
finance, and they broke finally with
the President because Of his veto Of q
bin establishing a legal agency FOR the
use of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT a ma.
iionsl bank disguised under another
name. The Republicans of 1865 were
contending for a vastly greater stake
for the sacredness Of human rights,
for the steure foundation of free gov
eminent. Their constancy was greater
than that Of the Whigs, because the
rights Of person transcend the rights
OF property"
A KNOW sorHIHol STAB AT CARJs cHURz.
F1. Grants brief tour Of investi-
In the SRuth and that Of Mr.,
70 CONTRACTED, and the subte'