The Louisiana Democrat., 1865-11-29
"a Word to the South

The Times imposes, as a condition OF thu
Southern States to their natural functions
within the Union, "their prompt ratification
of the Constitutional amendment abol
| ishing slavery. at would secure, says oul
cotemporary, "the speedy admission o.
| their members to Congress mkale ds ret1
sal wduld undoubtedly postpone that eusat m
defnatety.'
| This threat, which, if fulfilled, will in
volve the destruction of the fundamentals
of our political system, gives evidence that
the reckless fanaticism Of the Radicals
seeking at all hazards the realization Of its
social theories, has no regard for justice, OF
for republican principles upon which this
Government is founded. The meddlesomf
and domineering disposition that goaded
the South into hostility to the central au.
thority, is now employed in fomenting ele-
ments of discord and disturbance to thwart
| the general inclination to repair the damage
| that has been done. The Southern people
with an alacrity that was not expected
| have renewed their allegiance to the Union
| and have accepted every obligation imposed
upon them by Executive proclamation,
Congressional legislation, military decree,
or by whatever other instrumentally of do
minion the Federal power is invested with
or has assumed. The Radicals are not sat
isfied with the complete submission Of the
vanquished to every official expression Of
will on the part of the Yictors. They de.
mand beside blind obedience to partisan
| precepts that are not supported by even
the pretence of authority. Under penalty
of remaining political nonentity, the
South must not only acquiesce in the Radi-
cal legislation of the past, but must itself
legislate in accordance with the extreme
views of a Northern faction upon matters
wherein by the plainest Interpretation of
law, equity and the Constitution every State
is entitled to the exercise of its violation.
"rhe people demand the adoption Of this
amendment" says the Times. What people?
The people of Massachusetts have the right
to vote as they please on the question, and
so have the people of South Carolina.
Shall the suffrages of one State be. con-
trolled by the demands of another? If the
people of the South desire that the Consti-
tuition be amended in any particular, let
them iegislate to that effect We do not
think that a Southern citizen can be con-
quered to that extent that he must vote
against his conscience and his wish, upon
compulsion. Emancipation" says our
contemporary, would lose half its
merit, and more than half its advantage, if
it were to be enforced by the North upon
unwilling and resentful States Then the
fault is with the North, that has enforced
emancipation by the exercise Of arbitrary
power. The Times itself expresses the
simple truth in stating that "it comes as q
result of war-as measure imposed upon
defeated and helpless community" II
there be wrong in that, if there be anything
in that, as apparently the conscience of
The Times suggests, that is incompatible
with the essence of Republicanism, the
wrong will be still greater and the violation
of Republicanism more fragrant, should the
South be compelled, after submitting to the
fact, to applaud it against their will and
Judgment. Yet it is such compulsion that
our contemporary threatens; compulsion
of the meanest and most cowardly descrip-
ton; for it is that of the powerful who
hold the helpless under duress to enforce a
remuneration of faith. 1t is the infiction of
the torture to extort the confession of
principles that the victim, at his heart, dis
owns; to compel the utterance Of a lie as
the price of peace and safety.
There is an ungenerous sneer, an unkind
exultation in the parade Of triumph with
which the Times says =" We need not re-
mind the South to how great an extent
they are dependent for the speedy reposses-
sion of their old political status, upon the
kindly sentiment and confidence Of the peo-
pie Of the loyal States. " More shame to
those loyal States if they are SO disloyal
to the spirit of their republicanism, as to
use their power to render any of their sis
ter States dependent upon their kindness
for the enjoyment oftheir political rights.
Is this, indeed, the household of q republic,
where the members that are strong candeny
| to those that are weak, the shelter and the
privileges that are their inalienable birth
rightg Is there any condition of our polit-
ical system that can justify the prohibition
Of full national representation to peaceable
and law-ahiding partners of our nationali-
! ty? If our form of Government have
changed under the influence of civil strife,
let it be so understood; if it have not
changed, then is the political essence Of
every State likewise unchanged from what
it was when the Constitution became the
supreme law of the land and that political
essence necessitates, and that Constitution
authorizes representation of the States in
Federal legislation, else all is anarchy OF
despotism.
A aword to the South, . says the Times,
in afectation of friendly counsel; but its
advice is dictation and menace of political
emasculation. We, too, have our word
to the South" We say, let your safrages
be the honest expressions of your will.
Let your State legislation be fair repre-
sentation of the sentiment Of your people.
Be not dependent upon the kindness of
the North, but upon your own wisdom, en-
ergy and frmness, and upon the laws and
Constitution of your country. Ifyou must
accept despotism, 80 be it; but do not ac-
cept it under the title Of republicanism.
N. Y.News.