Reconstruction and its Relation to the
Business of the Country
An Address by Hon.
George S. Boutwell
Before
The Old Bay State
Association, Boston,
December 27, 1866
Ladies and
Gentlemen: I trust no one will suppose that my subject implies any want of confidence in
the patriotism of the business men of Boston, of our State, or of the country. I chose to
speak upon the topic which has been announced, because I had observed occasionally in the
public journals the suggestion that the business men of the country were largely
interested in the immediate restoration of the Union, without much regard to the manner of
doing the work. For myself, I have never accepted the suggestion, certainly not since the
manifestations of patriotism during the war on the part of the business men of our State
and of the country, that they would as a body be disposed to second any movement for the
restoration of the Union not based upon sound principles of public policy. The restoration
of the Union means the introduction again into the Government of the country of that
considerable body of people and that vast extent of territory engaged in and covered by
the rebellion. It implies a renewal of the exercise of power in this Government by those
men who for thirty years plotted for its overthrow, and for five years carried on a
persistent and formidable, and at times apparently successful, rebellion for its
destruction. It is therefore no slight matter that these people at any time, or to any
extent, until their spirit and purposes are changed, are to be received into the
Government of the country. We accept, unquestionably, as far as the persons who have been
concerned in the rebellion are to be considered, a body of men who are hostile to this
Government, who seek its destruction, and who will avail themselves of any opportunity
that may present itself in the changing condition of public affairs to accomplish that
which they most desire.
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