The Daily Dispatch: December 21, 1865., [Electronic resource]

The President's message and General Grant's report.

The President's policy of restoring the Southern States to equal rights with the Northern, under the Constitution, and, in the language of Mr. Seward, "remitting them to the constitutional authorities chosen by their own people," is the only efficient means of re-establishing harmony and insuring the rights and prosperity of the whole Union. It was not surprising that the calm and truthful communication of the President should excite Mr. Sumner's malignity, and that he should style it a "white-washing" message. Had the President recited as true the falsehoods relative to Southern cruelties to the blacks, and Southern disloyalty, which have been invented and circulated to help on the agitation against restoration, and for the degradation of the Southern white man, it would have been a marvelous proper document for Mr. Sumner. Our gratification being in proportion to that gentleman's discontent, of course we hail the short message with satisfaction.

President Johnson states that "the people throughout the entire South evince a laudable desire to renew their allegiance to the Government, and to repair the devastation of war by a prompt and cheerful return to peaceful pursuits." And he expresses an abiding faith that their actions will conform to their propositions." With regard to freedmen, he declares, from information he had received, that nearly all the Southern States have adopted measures to confer upon them "privileges which are essential to their comfort, protection and security." It is plain that Mr. Johnson considers that all this may be done without the aid of the officious fanatics in Congress. It is a pretty good hint to them that their proffered assistance is altogether uncalled for. They might be told, in addition, with equal truth, that their interference will only make the freedman worse off and more miserable than he is.

General Grant's letter to the President is honorable alike to his judgment and his sense of justice. It fell like a bomb in the midst of the agitators, who are endeavoring to prolong the troubles of the country and perpetuate the hate between the two great sections of the Union. He declares that, after his tour through the Southern States, he is convinced that the mass of thinking men of the South "accept the present situation of affairs in good faith," and that they consider the questions of slavery and State rights — the right of a State to secede from the Union--"as settled forever. " So perfect and general does he represent the acquiescence of the South in the authority of the Government, that "the mere presence of a military force, without regard to numbers, is sufficient to maintain order." Even this, we are sure, General Grant does not consider necessary for the preservation of order among the white citizens; for, in the next paragraph to that containing this remark, he states that the Southern people, whilst in the work of reconstruction, "want and require protection from the Government." He recommends that, in affording this protection, white troops alone be sent into the rural districts and elsewhere, except forts upon the sea-coast. He urges, among other reasons why black troops should not be sent, that they "demoralize labor, both by their advice and by furnishing in their camps a resort for the freedmen for long distances around. * * The late slave seems to be imbued with the idea that the property of his late master should, by right, belong to him; at least, should have no protection from the colored soldier." This shows plainly what is General Grant's view of the necessity of the presence of the military. This "idea" of the "late slave," which has been widely disseminated in the Southern States, General Grant believes has come from the agents of the Freedmen's Bureau; an institution which he frankly states has been conducted neither with good judgment nor economy. Whilst he believes that the majority of the agents of this bureau advise the freedmen that "by his own labor he must expect to live, " the General is "sorry to say the freedman's mind does not seem to be disabused of the idea that the freedman has the right to live without care or provision for the future." This evil idea is producing idleness and filling the camps and cities, and he thinks, in such cases, "disease and vice will tend to the extermination or great reduction of the colored race."

These are facts and conclusions that are the best answers to the ravings of the Congressional fanatics. What General Grant says is worth something; and that is put forth like a shield to protect the South, now without a voice in the National councils, from the infernal malice which would hand her over to a continuous oppression and degradation.