Whitelaw Reid: “They’ll do whatever Congress says they must; and so our only hope is in the noble and unexpected stand Johnson is taking…”

The people have generally more education and refinement than in other parts of the State; their public improvements are better, and their country is every way more attractive.

Fully believing the debts of their Rebel Government legal and just, they were prepared to repudiate them at a hint from Washington.

You see, General, this is alarming, and you must acknowledge that we are not safe.

Suppose it to be merely a war in defense of our own just rights and interests.