Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-12-06
rwOLErTERs OF LINCOLN.
The Problem of reconstruction
and the Enlistment of Coioreo
Troops.

The Problem of Reconstruction
and the Enlistment of Coloreo
Troops.
The latest volume OF rebellion Re-
cords contains two interesting letters
from President Lincoln. One relates
TO reconstruction; the other TO the en-
listment OF colored troops. Both OF
these letters were written shortly after
the fall OF Vicksburg, and when that
event together with the battle OF Get
tysburg, had given the Union cause
bright prospects. General S. A. Hurl-
burt, in command at Memphis Mr..
Lincoln wrote the 3lst OF July, 1868 as
follows:
~ understand that Senator civilian Ky
Sebastian of Arkansas thinks Of offering 70
resume his place in the senate. OF course,
the senate, and not !, would decide whether
TO admit or reject IL. stu, should feel
great interest in this question. IT may bd
so presented as to be one OF the greatest
national Importance; and il may be other
wise so presented AS so be OF no more than
temporary personal consequence To him
"The empancipation proclamation applies
TO Arkansas. think it is valid in law, and
will be so held by in the courts. l think
shall not retact or repudiate IL. Those who
shall have tasted actual freedom l believe
can never be slaves or quasi slaves again.
For the rest, believe some plan, substan-
italy being gradual emancipation, would
be better for both white and black. The
Missouri plan recently adopted, | do not OBJ
iect 90 on account of the time for ending the
institution; but | am sorry the beginning
should have been postponed for seven years,
leaving all that time TO agitate for the re-
peal Of the whole thing. 1t should begin at
once. giving at least the new born "a vested
MT at m frppnnm winch pOnld n
away. If Senator Sebastian could come
with something of this sort from Arkansas,
/, at least, should take great interest in his
case: and | believe q single individual will
have scarcely done the world so great a
service. See him, If you can, and read this
TO him: but charge him not 10 make IL pub
lie for the present. Write me again. Yours
very truely, A LINCOLN"
The other letter was written to Gen.
eral Grant ten days later, and was as
follows:
''ExECuTivE MLNsroy. WASHINGTON. ID.
c., Aug Q 1s63.-Maj. Gen. U. s Grant:
see by dispatch Of yours that you incline
quite strongly toward an expedition against
Mobile. This would appear tempting TO me
Also were it not that, in view OF recent
events in Mexico, ] am greatly impressed
with the importance of re-esta blishng the
national authority in Western Texas as
soon as possible. / am not making an
order, however: that leave, for the pres
ent at least, 10 the general-in chief.
IA word upon another subject. General
Thomas has gone again 10 the Mississippi
Valley, with the view of raising colored
troops. have no reason to doubt that You
are doing what you reasonably can upon
the same subject believe it is a resource
which, If vigorously applied now, will
soon close this contest 1t works doubly-
weakening the enemv and strengthening
us We were not fully ripe for it until the
river was opened Now think at least
100000 can and ought TO be organized on it's
shores relieving all the white troops to
serve elsewhere.
"Mr. Dana understands you as believing
that the emancipation proclamation has
helped some in your military operations. |
am glad if this is So
ibid you receive a short letter from me
dated the 18th, Of July. A. LINCOLN