Excerpt from Speeches of Hon. S. S. Cox: At the Academy of Music, Brooklyn, July 23, 1868
He insisted that "the Southern citizens were anxious to return to self-government in the Union as soon as possible." Was this mere whitewash, or fact? Did General Grant tell the truth, or did he lie? I think he told the truth. (Cheers.) Who has robbed us of the fruits of victories bought with such a price? Was there reconciliation needed from the judicial or executive departments toward the South? No. Justice was satisfied. No scaffolds were required. Even good Mr. Greeley went bail for the rebel chief. (Laughter.) The Executive gave amnesty. Only the hyena and other "beasts" (Cries of "Butler.") prowled among charred ruins and grass-covered graves ravening for prey and reprisal. (Cheers.) The reconciliation was cordial between the people. The Executive was earnest in his efforts. He had no power, even by his vetoes, to stop the legislation of Congress, if it were sincere in conciliation. All that was wanted was, what Mr. Lincoln said ought to have been "compelled" by an amendment to the Constitution: Representatives from the South on the floor of Congress. The alienation would thus have been spanned with the Roman bridge of gold; and the Constitution would have furnished the arches for its construction. (Cheers.) The Executive had a plan which harmonized with the Constitution. The Supreme Court, as we now know, would have approved. But Congress, by means of secret caucuses and reconstruction committees, impeded all the efforts of Governors, people, Legislatures, assisted by the departments at Washington, who were ready to bind anew their practical relations, by means of members elect to Congress, and with their good will and allegiance to the old Government. It was Congress which refused their admission. This was a solution of the problem. Con-proposed a dilatory, monstrous, inconsistent, prescriptive ban against amnesty, Union and peace. Now that chaos has come from it, the country is tickled and taunted in a Republican platform, with gratulations on the marvelous success of reconstruction!
It is between this plan of Congress, which settles nothing permanently, and the plan of the Constitution, which is a settlement in form and fact, that furnishes the theme of political debate. Which plan shall be the election of the people? I do not ask a passionate or biased opinion between them. The only question is: "What is best, not for parties, not for soldiers, not for General Grant in gratitude for martial services rendered with rare ability - but what is best for the country?"
Discontent South.
Before considering why the dominant party has ailed to reconcile and rebuild, let me ask whether the discontent at the South now existing has not grown more bitter with each day"s delay since General Grant"s report in 1865? Wisdom would say, "Look at the fact of discontent and obliterate its existence." The reasons for this bitter feeling, South, may be fallacious; the people may have no just cause for it; but so long as the discontent exists, it is a menace to peace and a source of danger. There are reasons paramount why the discontent should be appeased. Is it a valid reason: or prolonging trouble that it is waxing? When grievances grow, is there not more reason for assuaging them? There was some wit, but no wisdom in the remark of Judge Busteed, that he would keep the States South out in the cold, till their teeth chattered to the music of the Union. He would increase their discontent, and of course, add new burdens for their further repression. Discontent in communities is the source of crime, laziness, social discord and personal unsafety. Already secret societies, associations and conspiracies, curses of every kind, and outrages of every hue, taking the course of hostility between the races, keeping capital from the Southern borders, and industry paralyzed, are unsettling so much of the established order as the war ev. Это и многое другое вы найдете в книге Speeches of Hon. S. S. Cox (Samuel Sullivan Cox)