The Tri Weekly Standard

To the American Congress.

I have examined the various plans of reunion and must confess, it is my firm conviction that the Stevens plan ought to be more favorably received on the part of the late rebels than any other. The influence of those partizans who for their own agrandisement attempted to destroy the most benign institutions that the world had yet known in self-government, still weighs heavily through the whole insurgent States. These men who had fixed all the relations of existence and had devised secession and then despotism, must now be themselves aware, for it is too patent to be concealed, that there can be no security for the future in any part of the country, without their entire suppression, and full submission to the constituted authorities of the land. The Stevens plan designs that for five years they shall assume no part in the government. Their property remains untouched, their liberties untrammelled save in the deprivation of political franchises for a brief period.

It was a bold and high game they proposed to play, risking all on the hazard of a die. and they were well aware, if they lost, that political death would assuredly follow.- But like unprincipled black-legs, after their own game has been fairly lost, they propose to play the grab-game, and seize the stakes after they have been won by their opponents. There is a close analogy between such demagogues and gamblers." The one handles the people as their deck, and by deceit and prevarication plays with them to the top of their bent. The other too, has his deck cut and trimmed to suit his hand, and will win every time or break up the game. There is some honor even among thieves, but with such demagogues and black-legs, no honor was ever found in them. They must win on every hand, at every turn, or everything must go by the board.

Thus with the promoters of the rebellion and their willing followers. If they win they have every thing, and if they lose, they still claim all. Is it not perfectly plain that there is no quiet for our afflicted country, if such men as these, are again trusted by the people to manage public affairs for them? And all this abuse showered down daily on the heads of the loyal statesmen at the federal capital, is all done to intimidate, while it causes hesitation and doubt on their part. so that things may yet continue as they are a little longer. These partizans now have control of the ten ex-union communities formerly States, and as matters remain will continue to exercise entire control over them.- Of course it must be apparent to all that speedy legislation alone can put the control of public affairs in the hands of those alone who exhibited courage to do right irrespective of the many dangers that surrounded them, and who showed to the world the only true nationality that was left anywhere in the South, and that too, at the risk of their lives and fortunes. Will Congress permit these men any longer to be held in abeyance? I hope not and believe not. The Congress has now the whole question in its own hands. It now after much travail and tribulation understands the situation and will give birth to true republicanism. It will crush out treason and all traitors, as well those traitors who were early in the contest, as those who had sufficient love of country until they lost their slave property, when that seemed to have done the business for them, and they became eo instanter the worst rebels of all. These latter-day war men who did not begin to get mad until the "whole sulphured canopy of heaven" had got rid of the "villainous smell," now stand out the most stubborn of all, with whom Congress will have to deal. The loyal people "black, blue and gray," North and South, demand of the Congress that this country shall be once more united and united promptly and now. before it is too late to save it." Bad men and their misguided followers have had their domination long enough. Let the loyal men be made secure by prompt action on the part of Congress from worldly chances and mishaps. Adopt any plan so that the thing is done. Uncertainty is the worst calamity of all. Forbearance may be a virtue at times, but it becomes the worst of evils if continued under all circumstances. Let treason meet with its just recompense, and the Union be restored in spite of the jeers, and grins, and scoffs of traitorous malcontents and howling aristocrats. In due time such as these can be "naturalized," and if they show deeds meet of repentance, can again be allowed to partake of a government, the benefits of which they but ill deserve. The public welfare requires that they should be for the present politically silenced and muzzled so that the venom of their poisoned lips can be made impotent for further mischief. And when civil law shall reign supreme, and there are no "armed men clashing up and down," the government can allow these men if the people so will it, once more to take part politically in public affairs, but not until that good time, which I hope will not be far distant.

Yours,

R. K. E.