Letter, Isaac Murphy
Object number2007.107.01
DateFebruary 3, 1866
Mediumpaper and ink
Dimensions9 3/4 x 15 1/2 in. (24.8 x 39.4 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
Terms
February 3, 1866
To his Excellency, Isaac Murphy, Gov. of Ark,
My Dear Sir:
I have thought for some time, that I would write you a line or two, informing you how things in reference to our once happy and prosperous, but now poor and dilapidated State, are progressing here. But I put it off, from time to time, expecting to have something more encouraging to write you than the present affairs; and now feel if I delay any longer, you may charge me with remiss. And even now, after two months of the session have passed, there is an impenetrable gloom hanging over the question of our admission. There are various opinions, as to the time we will be admitted; some think in 3 or 4 weeks the ice will broken with Tennessee, and then it is believed Arkansas will follow immediately. The better informed opinion, as I think, is that none will be received before the various amendments now before the two Houses of Congress, pass and are ratified by the States if the States will ratify them at all. The Amendment passed by the House, a few days ago, and now before the Senate, bases representation upon the whole population, provided the States do not pass laws restricting the elective franchise to the white man and excluding the Negro. If the Negro is excluded why, they are not to be counted then. That ("bill" scratched out) resolution will pass the Senate. Mr. Sumner has a proposition, in lieu, of the House resolution, changing it so as to enfranchise the colored man, which I hope will not be adopted. I think it is a right to pass all laws necessary and proper to protect the negro amply and freely, in all his natural rights, but to give them the privilege of voting now (underlined), when enshrouded in a perfect mass of ignorance -I do think is wrong; and is requiring more of the Southern States, with all their quiet and folly than they ought to do. But our hands are in the Lyon's mouth, we can't help ourselves. The Senate has proposed the bill enlarging the Freedman's Bureau, which creates and confers extraordinary powers upon the Courts charged with its administration; which I think unnecessary where the civil authorities are in successful operation, as in our State. The bill is now being discussed in House and meets with pretty stubborn opposition, from some of the more conservative Radical members; but it will pass notwithstanding. Thad Stevens, the worst man, I believe, now in the United States, as you will see by the papers, has openly denounced the President upon the floor of the House, and charged him with usurpation and a desire to domineer over the deliberations of the House, and that if he (the President) had lived in England some years ago, for alike offence, his head would have been stricken off. I believe the President is right, in his reconstruction policy, and if admitted I shall give him a hearty and cordial support. I know that you and I have good cause to complain, at the wanton treatment we received at the hands of the relentless and infuriated rebels, but with all your placidity of temper, which I know you feel towards the unoffending people, of the South, who were in great measure forced into that unequal contest -I say, if you were here, to hear from day to day, those poor white men, wantonly and cruelly abused [underlined] and the negro eulogized by such men as Sumner and Stevens, and the extreme men they lead, you would feel more closely allied to our erring brethren than heretofore. Whilst I am for doing all justice, I utterly abhor the spirit of vindictiveness and rancor exhibited by these Radical disunionists in the north. Their madness and folly is only equaled by a like spirit that urged the leaders in the South to secession. I did intend starting home about the 1st of this month, but I had an interview with the President, who advised me to hold on awhile yet. I now have concluded to stay till the first of March or April. I am a sort of Diplomatic servant attending to some business for the people in my district in the Departments. [illegible] me to [illegible] white, Gen’l Bishop, Mr. Beny [illegible], and accept assurance of my high esteems [illegible].
GH Kyle
PS: The amendment in respect to Representation based upon the white population would not deprive our state of but one member, if that, as the white population in 1860 was about 330 thousand and the Negro 111 thousand; and the average the basis, is about 110 thousand. So if an amendment must pass. I had rather it was in the form it passed in the house and let the voting remain in [illegible] awhile. G.H.K.
[notation in center of last page reads "answered 26th February, 1866.
Status
Not on view
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