WASHINGTON, March 7,
1867.
Dear Brother: ...
You will have noticed that my name is connected with the Reconstruction Law. I
did nothing but reduce and group the ideas of others, carefully leaving open to
the South the whole machinery of reconstruction. The bill was much injured by
the additions in the House, but, after all, there is nothing obnoxious to the
South in it but general suffrage. This they must take, and the only question is
whether they will take it in their own way by their own popular movements, or
whether we shall be compelled at the next session to organize provisional
governments. I hope and trust they will learn wisdom from the past. Can't you
in some way give them that advice? Three years ago they hated you and Johnson
most of all men; now, your advice goes farther than any two men of the nation.
We will adjourn soon until November next. The impeachment movement has, so far,
been a complete failure. Butler and Logan are reinforcements, but will effect
nothing.
The President has
only to forward and inforce the law as they stand, and he is safe. He ought not
to, and must not stand in the way of the determined movement to recognize the
rebel States. He has had his way and it failed; he ought now fairly to try the
Congressional way. I think some of going to Paris in April. I am tendered an
honorary membership of the commission, and a free passage. The occasion is
tempting; if I go, it will be about the middle of April.
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