History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by the House of Representatives, and his trial by the Senate for high crimes and misdemeanors in office, 1868Ross, Edmund G. (Edmund Gibson)
History
History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by the House of Representatives, and his trial by the Senate for high crimes and misdemeanors in office, 1868
Ross, Edmund G. (Edmund Gibson)
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875 -- Impeachment
Four years of war, during which law was executed only at the point of
the bayonet throughout the States in rebellion, have left the people
possibly in a condition not to yield that ready obedience to civil
authority the American people have been in the habit of generally
yielding. This would render the presence of small garrisons throughout
those States necessary until such time as labor returns to its proper
channels and civil authority is fully established. I did not meet
anyone, either those holding places under the Government or citizens of
the Southern States, who think it practicable to withdraw the Military
from the South at present. The white and black mutually require
the protection of the General Government. There is such universal
acquiescence in the authority of the General Government throughout
the portions of the country visited by me, that the mere presence of
a military force, without regard to numbers, is sufficient to maintain
order. The good of the country and economy require that the force kept
in the interior where there are many freedmen (elsewhere in the Southern
States than at forts upon the sea coast, no more is necessary,) should
all be white troops. The reasons for this are obvious without mentioning
any of them. The presence of black troops, lately slaves, demoralizes
labor both by their advice and by furnishing in their camps a resort
for freedmen for long distances around. White troops generally excite no
opposition, and therefore a small number of them can maintain order in
a given district. Colored troops must be kept in bodies sufficient to
defend themselves. It is not thinking men who would use violence towards
any class of troops sent among them by the General Government, but the
ignorant in some cases might, and the late slave seems to be imbued with
the idea that the property of his late master should of right belong to
him, or at least should have no protection from the colored soldiers.
There is danger of collision being brought on by such causes.
My observations lead me to the conclusion that the citizens of the
Southern States are anxious to return to self government within the
Union as soon as possible; that while reconstructing they want and
require protection from the Government; that they are in earnest
in wishing to do what they think is required by the Government, not
humiliating to them as citizens, and that if such is pointed out they
would pursue it in good faith. It is to be regretted that there cannot
be a greater commingling at this time between the citizens of the two
sections, and particularly with THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH THE LAWMAKING
POWER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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