The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-22

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laws were enacted comforting the pai'os
MON tha negro. and the acceptance oil
ouch new laws by these State govern
ments was made the condition preceuen'
| n, their complete restoration or rehapih-
| ,a,Ion simultaneously Congress by la"
| declared that In case Of rejection OF the
condition that the Stae government shouiu
no removed. and military, or provisional,
| covsrnors substituted In the South to
| enforce reconstruction under the late en-
| actments. The matter was submitted In
] the early months OF 1857.
"At this juncture one or the leading
| city papers Of New Orleans appealed 10
| the Confederate generals for their adj
| vice I'm the premises. stating the soldiers
would give more disinterested counsel
than the politicians as 10 the course the
people should adopt. My name headed
the rol-call. and, as urged by this paper.
l responded
''The matter was quite simple or SEEM
ed so. 10 my mind, and may be summarlly
stated as follows: Do the interests OF
the people who have so vanly followed
us call for recognition and acceptance
Of the laws Of Congress, the full recogni-
ton of their State Governments, the pre-
servation OF State autonomy or do they
call for a prompt rejection Of those laws
the consequent subversiOn of State auton-
omy by military commanders and the
vigorous enforcement OF those laws by
the bayonet? Ny judgment was the
interest Of our people called for peace and
putting behind us all war spirit and feel
ing and my answer was, in substance.
that the congressional reconstruction
measures should be in good faith ac-
cepted-that negro suffrage should be
given fair trial, and, If it proved 70 be
premature. TO go 10 Congress and ask
its repeal or withdrawal in due course OF
law. That was all.
But my response opened the fioodgates
Of savage abuse and unprecedented fe-
rocity. 1t was denounced as treason
desertion from my people to the enemy
and still IT goes.
Democracy made resistance to negro
suffrage the exclusive issue Of the day
to be rejected at all hazards. military
Satraps and all other things acceptable,
but negro suffrage, never!
From the quarters Of the earth poured
letters threatening my ssassinati ton. and
all dire things that could he devised by
Ku-kluk Khan and similar associations.
All my efforts 20 put the matter before
the people were futile The press was
closed against me. and amidst the tenn
pest Of passion the 'still, small voice Of
truth and reason was drowned, and even
the very newspaper that insisted it was
my duty TO advise our people. denounced
me as n 'desertcr' for doing the very
thing II urged me 20 do Following its
lead ard initiative, others took up the
charge. exaggerated and disseminated il
broadcast. but they were careful not to
publish my letter. and suppressed the
very paper upon which they prcdicated
such severe accusations. all this in the
face Of the fact Of my loyalty to the
best interest Of our people. Governor
Joseph +. Brown, with his usual good
judgment, came 10 a recognition Of the
reconstruction measures, but after the
overthrow Of our State autonomy and
the assignment of military governors.
or 'satraps. as then denominated. In this
connection il should be remembered that
we accepted paroles Of honor at the
captulation at Appomattox Courthouse
under pledges to obey and respect the
laws Of Congress. my construction or
Observance Of which led to my being
pill0ried."
The General says his part in recon-
StructiOn measures was taken and ended
in the early months OF 1857. as related
above. 1t was not then thought that
Grant would be nominated for President
two years thereafter. and there was 10
understanding that If elected the con
quering commander would give the Con-
federate an appointment. General
Grant General Longstreet goes on 10
say, was above such paltry consldera-
lions. / should have instantly rejected
and resented such an approach, and the
subject was too mOmeutous. Yet when
President Grant sent my name to tn |
Senate for confirmation as surveyor Of
customs IT New Orleans the torrent |
ment. alleging General Grant had in
duced my course early In 1861 When |
Johnson was President and Grant not a |
formidable Presidential possibility, by |
promises SO far in the future as to be |
wholly beyond reach or influence for |
political reasons With the prescience I,
look 50 far ahead and the sagicity to |
work out such schemes and q C 0ns |
he was the last man in the country 20
project them. The act was prompted by |
his big. generous heart. not to tie in |
divdual. but 10 the South as the olive |
branch, but was SO nobla that prejudice |
beciouded its appreciation.
1T seems the time Is opportune for
a hearing not warped BIZ passion. I'm |
the Cabinet Of Mr.. Clev In Is a gentle |
man who was wounded wi h me nj the |
Wilderness, while the premier carries |
lead in his body received under Genera |
sherman at Atlanta, while he Birmi0g- |
ham reunion sends n cardili itation |
to tie GRIND Army T. visit 4thern |
me ropolis at its regular encampm,nt in |
1875"
Tho Letter concludes:
My days are passing swiftly by. and
now that the happy SIGNS indicate Il ia
Ycrab.e OPP nrtlnity L. be heard let u
erdeaA Or 90 remove any points that
may b. obscure. 1 know that my guide |
~ the matter. my original and continu-
ins purpos. was the best interest Of our
people ana IT is important they shonld
be undcccived and know the real truth |
OF The unllllcaI hi.lnru IL tI-o-r ..-..-