Year: 1874

so long as it was an advantage to Us we
cherished it; when it became simply an ad-
vantage to the South we destroyed it. 1t was
not then an act of humanity and justice, but
measure of cruel war


We do not see how we can enter upon any
broad measure of reconstruction without con-
sidering this act There is no way Of con-
sidering it but in q national convention. We
do not propose to restore slavery. As well
seek to restore the rule of the English crown
over these States. We do not advise the
limitation Of any of the rights of the freed
men as citizens On the contrary, we should
insist that they were protected In the enjoy
ment of every right Of life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness We would 60 as far as
General Butler himself in protecting the
negroes from lawlessness But we are bound
to consider whether we do not owe the
Southern States something more in the way
of reconstruction than our simple fluctuations
to the leaders of secession that we did not
hang them. What do we owe as o matter OF
justice to them as we'll as Of advantage to our
selves? We see clearly enough that we cannot
reconstruct the South upon the existing basis
that we cannot ignore the real leaders and
citizens of the States and make an alliance
with the negroes and carpet-baggers. We
have been laboring to do this for nearly ten
years, and we see anarchy, poverty, corrup-
ton, outbreaks, bloodshed, threatened civil
strife, and over all the phantoms of reputation
and St. Domingo war of races. This is
what our plans of reconstruction have
brought. because we have never approached
the question in a spirit of courage and
justice. We have treated the South, not with
wisdom and foresight-for we do not now
speak of considerations of humanity and
brotherhood as Attila and Genghis
Khan were wont to deal with their conquered
foemen. We have destroyed the genius, the
valor, the enterprise OF the Southern States
we have given them peace which is simply
bankruptcy and desolation we have de-
prived them of material and moral power;
and yet we marvel that its people do not arise
again and show the spirit which sent Wash
inton and Lee into the field, Jefferson, Henry
and Calhoun into the Senate.


Let us, then, approach this question in
spirit of courage and justice. Let us profit
by what William III. did after the Revolution,
and by the wisdom of Napoleon and the late
Bourbons when they came to power on what
seemed the ruins of France. Out of these
ruins they rebuilt France surprising in
wealth and splendor and scientific achieve
ment any previous epoch in its history. We
begin by an act Of justice. Let us assemble
in national convention and discuss these
questions Of peace and reconstruction: If the
abolition Of slavery has imposed upon the
South too severe burden, let us see in what
way we can aid the people to carry the burden.
Let us consider the State and local debts as
sumed since the war and arrest the tendency
to reputation, which Injuries the North as
well as the South. Let US consider some gen.
eral plan Of public improvements, and more
especially how we can restore Southern in.
dustry, agriculture and commerce. If eman.
cipation ia so glorious an achieve
ment that rebounds so much to our
national honor, let us assume our
share of the burden it imposes, more espe-
cially as we enjoyed the advantages of slavery
and protected it as sacred institution for
generations. Do not let history say that we
freed the negroes as an act of cold, cruel, mill
tary advantage, and at the expense of our con-
quered brothers. In this convention let us
consider other questions, less immediate, per-
haps, but arising out of the war, and OF
transcendent importance to ourselves. The
term of the Presidency, the exceptional and
unrepublican powers Of the Senate, the
finances, the power of States to borrow money
with no intention Of payment, the relations Of
the States to the nation, the railway system,
civil service-all these questions arising out
of the war and unforeseen by the fathers
should be considered now. In short time
we shall celebrate our centennial anniversary
of national existence. How better can we
celebrate that glorious time than by assem-
bling in national convention of peace
and reconstruction that will give new life
to the stricken and suffering South and
strengthen republican institutions through
out the land?


The National Republican, the winter organ OF
the administration, discusses the argu ment OF