Year: 1867

/
the representative men of Alabama, the course
which, under existing circumstances should be adop
ted by our people:


MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA,
March 10th, 1867.


Messrs. J. P Rails A. L. Woodliff and Others Gadsden
Alabama:


| Geutgcme,s-I am in receipt of your favor of the
10Th instant, requesting my views as to the best course
to be pursued by the people of Alabama in reference
to the recent act of Congress known as the Military
Reconstruction Bill Communications similar to yours
have reached me from various portions of the State.
Upon the topics embraced in these several communi-
cations have bestowed much anxious reflection and


do not feel at liberty to withhold from my country
men any opinions l may have formed in regard to
them.


The act recently passed by Congress assumes that
the present government of Alabama is invalid, and
provides that the State shall not be restored to its
proper place in the Union until its constitution is so
modified as to contain certain prescribed features.
The existing civil government Of the State IS recog
nised provisional only and such it may continue
until the required revision of the constitution is COM
pleted. But this recognition of the State as pro
visional government is merely by permission Of the
military authority Of the United States That author
ity under this law, paramount to the State and may,
at any time "abolish, modify, control, or supersede
the same.n This is to be the condition Of things un-
til the State shab declared entitled to representation
in Congress- - But the act provides specifically that
certain things shall be done before such representation
is allowed The things thus required to be done are
briefly these The formation Of a constitution in
which the right of suffrage extended whites and
blacks alike the ratification of the proposed amend
men to the constitution Of the limited States; and
the election of Senators and Representatives IN Con
gress who qualify under existing laws. When all


this is done, thensthe provisions of the act in question


will cease to operate; and then the military bill will
give way to regular civil government


the time I write bill ia Dendinu in GOnoresS
supplemental TO the above referred to. cannot


of course, tell what will be the precise features of the


bill when it passes. But it may be safely assumed


that the bill will become law and that will provide


etfectuay for carrying the existing act into full effect


Hence the question presents itself, what the
people of Alabama to do? This is practical ques


ton, and one Of vast magnitude. 1t involves every


thing pertaining to the future of Alabama.


Surely it cannot be the wish of any rejecting man
that the present. anomalous condition of the State
should be continued. Et may almost be said that
are neither in the Union cut of It, The authority
of the United States Government is fully exercised
over US and vet have voice in the enactment of
national laws or providing for their execution.
This is Il lamentabe condition for any people to be
placed in There is but way for US to escape from
it, and that is to have the State fully restored to the
National Union with all the rights and immunitics of
coequal member thereof.


It NAV be taken for granted that at distant day,
the military commandaut will take the proper steps to
have delegates elected to convention to revise the
constitution of the State. The law Of Congress i'm
perativey requires that this modified constitution shall
extend the elective franchise to all males twentyone
years old, and upwards, of whatever race, color or
pre 7ious condition. In other words the freedmen
we'll as the whites are to be allowed to vote This is
plain specific and unconditional exacton. 1t can
not be evaded But this is the only feature which is
prescribed lis condition precedent to the approval Of
Congress- Unrestrained discretion is allowed in
gard to everything else.


The requirement Of this act of Congress should be
accented as conclusive upon the subject of negro su
fragc To contend against it is simply to struggle
against the inevitable. Such struggle would be ut
tery hopeless, and could accomplish no good to any
ore


At the election Of delegates to the State Convention


portion Of people will be deprived Of the priv
cge of either voting, Of being chosen members


The persons composing this class are those who, as
United States officers members of the Legislature
or executive judicial officers of the State took
oath TO support the Constitution Of the United States
and afterwards participated in the against the
Federal Government This disfranchisemcnt excludes
many good men from voting, and will deprive the
convention Of the services OF many who, tor their tai
ents experience wisdom, and consistent efforts to up
hold the integrity of the National Government, de-
serve and enjoy the confidence of the people. But
such is the law, and need not fear but what wise
and patriotic convention may be chosen from those
who eligible.


All who will be entitled to vote should unhestatingy
exercise that privilege, and those who dsranchsed
should use their influence for the plishment of
all possible good. Let it rot be supposed that they
can do nothing because they unable to vote. The
freedmen to vote for the first time. We
should cherish against them i'll feeling The cleo
tive franchise is conferred upon them; let them exer
else it freely and in their way. No effort should
be made to control their votes, except such as may
tend to enable them to vote nelligently and such
may be necessary to protect them against mschievous
influences to which, from their want of intelligence,
they may possibly be subjected Above all things we
should discourage everything which may tend to gen.
crate antagonsm between white and coored voters


This is an important crisis for us all. We require
prudence and moderation, coupled with decision and
tirmness. | have every confidence that these sterling
qualities will be exercised by people that
will soon have, far Alabama is concerned, def
mite and effective settlement of the great question Of
reconstruction confidently anticipate the choice of
such delegates to the convention as will give US
good constitution, and that will be accepted by
Congress. With a constitution recognised by the
National Legislature, our State would be relieved
from the uncertainties and embarrasswents which
hang over until we are restored to harmonious re-
lations with the National Union.


1t is, perhaps, unnecessary and might be unpro6t-
able to inquire whether not the state of things
now upon US M ght have been averted by policy DIFF
ferent from that which has been pursued in this State
| may say, however, that for some time have been





been accorded to Congress- That body wieds
the chief power in the Government. 1t asserts and
exercises the right to control the whole question of
reconstruction. Its power to do so is complete and
time and again it has given evidence of unyiedinS
purpose to enforce its policy in this regard. While
this has been to clearly manifest have regretted
to find such an unfriendly disposition toward it, 1t
would have been better for US if, before this in ac
cepting the national situation we had made proper
to Congressional requirements We can
not place ourselves in amicabe and harmonious rela
tions with the General Government, while defiance
and denunciation are hurled against its controlling
department.


The antagonism between Congress and the Southern
States has already brought mischief upon Us; and
will suffer still more if it does not cease. Our State
should be continued in attitude Of hostility to
the aw-makng power Of the Government. Upon this
vital question people should profit by experience.
The events Of the past few months show ncontestiby
that persistent opposition and abuse of Congress
tail upon US increased exactons. Those who cannot
see this, or will not admit it, anything but wise or
practical men.


If there can only be settlement Of our political
troubles, Alabama has most promising future before
her Our natural resources are equal to those Of any
State in the Union. These resources are known and
appreciated by capitalists who eager to come
among US and make investments, but who will not do
so in the present condition of political uncertainty.
Only give tranquility and security and capital in