The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-04
GRANT IN PEACE.
BIZ GENERAL AID Ana sADEAU.
No. v.
Grants First Political Step.

Grants first political step was taken when
Jchnson's plan of reconstruction was rejected
Joy the North. The rejection had been complete
Not only was the constitutional amendment
that johnson opposed accepted by every
Northern State. but a Congress antag-
onfssTic to the Presidents views was
returned by overwhelming majorities
Now Grant was, in some respects, as absolute
democrat as ever lived. He believed implicitly
iu TIE rule Of the people: when they pronounced,
he submitted. He had taken no decided stand
mp to this time, but when the will of those who
had won in the war was definitely known, he de-
clared that the decision should be accepted.
HIr johnson, however. had no idea Of submit
ting At the beginning he may have undertaken
his enterprise with patriotic motives. but he
persisted, after it was plain not only that he was
opposing those who had been his polit-
deal allies and had placed him where he
was but that he was offending the sen
fiment of the faithful North. Very few
supported him after the elections but those who
had been hostile to the Union in the moment of
its peril. Grant had, therefore, double reason
deliberate decision of the people was against the
FEeSlu8uL, OUT tHO VOICE OIL tue VAST majority Ol
Unicn men had reached their leader.
Mr. Johnson, however. remained as deter
mined as ever He had appealed to the people,
but he refused to abide by the result of the ap-
peal The amendment was still to be submit
ted to the Southern States, and every effort was
made By the administration to induce them to
reject it. They were assured that the North
would recede from its position if they held out;
that the present feeling was temporary, that the
Presidents policy in the end must pre-
vail. Grant, on the other hand, now
took decided stand in recommending submits
eion. He felt that he stood in such position
sbefore the country, almost representing the
Union sentiment that it became bis duty to ad-
dress the Southerners
~ he bad done nothing to induce the Northern
psEple to come to their decision. but after the
decision was made he used all his influence to
prevail on the South to accept it. That influence
With the South was very great. The clemeccy be
had shown them was not forgotten. His pres
.snt power was not ignored. No Southerner of
smportance at this time went to Washington
without presenting himself at Grants headquar-
tiers, while many visited his house; and to all he
prefered the same advice. Formal delegations
came from the South to consult with public men
upon the course they should pursue. They all
saw Grant, who made, indeed, efforts to meet
them.
Among these was a very important deputation
from Arkansas and Mr. Seward, the Secretary
of State, although he was opposed to the amend
xnent arranged an interview for them at his
eWu house with Grant. The General-in- chief
spoke very plainly; he declared to the delegates
that he was their friend, and as their
Friend he warned them that the tenn
Der of the North was reused, and if
these terms were rejected harsher ones would
be imposed He argued and pleaded with them
and with every Southerner he met, for the sake
of the South, for the sake of tbs entire country,
for their own individual sakes, to conform to the
Aituaton He assured them that submission TO
She inevitable would secure a tightening of all
shat was really onerous in the conditions now
IMPOSED.
This conduct was in complete harmony with
Grants whole character. 1t was the practical
snan who spoke who saw that worse remained
behind if the South failed to submit now But
besides this sagacous foresight Grant showed a
wsrnth of feeling at this time that was more
conspicuous because of his inexcitability during
the war. He seemed to have keen
or personal interest, an unwillingness to
lose what lad been secured at SO
much cost. Perhaps he did not want to see his
own work uudone, his clemency made subject
for arraignment OF course, no such word was
uttered to or by him. but he certainly never in
his career appeared more anxious or ardent
in any task than in his efforts now to induce the
South to come Ia to the terms which he believed
the easiest the North would ever offer.
The following letter to Gen. Richard Taylor,
She brother-in-law of Jefferson Davis, and one OF
the most influential of the Southern leaders
shows that this view is no imaginative specula
iation or farfetched criticisms:
s.HEAbeuARTEas ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES I
WASHINGTON, D. c. Nov. %, 1866.
"Dear General-Your letter of the goth is lust
received My letter to Pride with which this is
SnclQsed, answers a part of yours.
THE day after you left here the President
sent for me, as expected he would after my con.
vsfsaton with the Attorney general l told him
fny views candiGly about the course thought he
Rhould take. in view of the verdict of the late
elections. It elected nothing satisfactory from
PIN, but did not bring out the strong opposition
he sometimes shows to views not agreeing with
@is own. | was followed by General Sickles
wAe expressed about the same opinion did
Since that have talked with several mem
bers of Congress who are classed with the Radi
Gals; Schenck and Bidwell for instance. They
express the most generous views as to
what would be done if the constitutional
amendments proposed by Congress were
adopted by the Southern States What was
done in the case of Tennessee was an earnest of
what would be done in all cases. Even the dis
qualification to hold Office imposed on certain
classes by one article of the amendment would,
no doubt, be removed at once, except it
might be in the cases of the very highest offend
ers, such, for instance, as those who went abroad
% aid in the Rebellion, those who left seats in
Congress. etc. All or very nearly all would soon
be restored, and 80 far security to property
and liberty is concerned, all would be restored
ct once. would like exceedingly to see one
Southern State, excluded State ratify the
amendments to enable US to see the exact course