The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-12-27
The Opening Of CONGRESS,

Yesterday witnessed the Inauguration
of what we fear will be the saddest, tn
most dlsgraceful period in the history o
our National legislation. The story of tn
strong brother plotting to steal away TIL
weak brothers share Of the common heri
taee has long been the theme Of romances
it has now become political reality. Th'
opening proceedings Of Congress intimat,
too clearly that it is the purpose Of th'
Radicals to Withhold from the South TIT
right Of Congressional representation. |
that purpose should be carried into effec
as it surely will, unless the Executive shall
interpose, the country will be ruled by ;
faction whose simple volition will become
the law of the land; and the very highes
and most essential principle Of Republican
ism will have been ignored at the center O
Federal authority.
How often has the denial of representa-
ton in the law-lnaking assemblages of ma
tons been the cause of complaint, of re
monstrance, of armed antagonism against
the central power !? Yet here, in the lane
consecrated to the doctrine of self-govern
ment, the precedent is about to be estab
lished that not colonies, nor dependencies
but sovereign States Of a Republic, may bt
compelled to abandon the right Of repre-
sentation by the mere action of partisan
majority; that because they have powe,
defy the Constitution and the laws, and
usurp q dictatorial authority that no crown
ed despot would dare to assume. Even the
State Of Tennessee, despite the fact that
one of her people occupies the Preslden-
tial chair, asks in vain for shelter beneath
the political roof Her representative, cho-
sen in accordance with the correct formula,
Of election, has not the privilege Of open
ing his lips in the National Council, but is
silenced by the cool effrontery of q clerk
who invests himself with the attributes OF
an oracle and sovereign. The Radicals ar
rogate to themselves the privilege ofde-
Gliding, whether the South shall be consid-
cred in or out of the Union. Mr.. Thad-
deus Stevens "offereda bill" which was APP
proved by the Republican caucus, for the
of committee to examine
and report whether any of so-called Con-
federate States are entitled to representa-
ton in the Congress" What States are
now called Concentrates. The people Of
the Southern States have abandoned that
title, and they are now "so-called Confed-
crate" only BY the Radicals, who, appar-
emily insist upon conlaring up the ghost of
the departed Confederacy. AS there are
now no "so-called Confederate States let
us strike out these words from Mr.. Stevens
bill. and substitute the rightfrl appellation.
How would it then read? ga bill for the
appointment ola committee to examine and
report whether any of the Southern States
of the Republic are entitled to representa-
ion IN Congress.
Why may not some future majority in
Congress appoint a committee to decide
whether any of the Northern States of the
Republic are entitled to Congressional rep
esentation? Or to examine and renort
whether New York is entitled to the writ
# Ha5eas Cdrpas, to trial by jury, to the
light Of suffrage, free speech, free press, or
my of the privileges of RepublicanisIn !?
The title of the Southern States to Con-
,ressional representation was written and
ealed with the blood Of patriots upon the
,attle fields Of the Revolution. The right
8 immutablc, inalienable, irrevocable willie
asts the Republic; and il the Radicals deny
to any State that claims it, they strike
d the heart ofthe Republic, and if success
Ill, are its destroyers.
Why were the Southern States encour-
ged by the Executive to assume the labor
t reconstruction, if their work is to be de
polished by Radical majority !? Why
yere they prompted to undergo the ex-
ense and trouble OF election, If the legiti-
nate results are to be repudiated? Was it
imply to give the Radicals an opportunity
0 cast ridicle upon the Southern members
nd to send them back to their constitu-
hts like dogs whipped from the threshold?
he Southern people have but accepted
he invitation, have but obeyed the SUM
IONS Of the Federal authority in sending
representatives to Washington. a gra-
ious permission was extended to them to
xercise their rights within the Union, and
hen they attempt to do so, they are cody
onfronted by an imperative mandate to re-
lain in q condition of yassalage. Late in
diligence from Europe tells usa Russian
obleman who encouraged his peasntry to
liant, but when their grain ripened, forbade
hem to reap. This was related as an illus
ration Of Cossack injustice and despotism.
vet that same injustice and despotism, the
radicals ia principle, are exercising toward
he South. They babe them rebuild their
oliticalH home, but when they seek to en-
~ the promised shelter, the fabric is top
led over and becomes again q ruin.
Who shall say that the North fought for
Union il it permits Disunion to be consum-
rated by National legislation? Now is
he time for; President johnson to attest
is devotion to republicanism. Itsrdestiny
] in the balance, but the Executive hand
an throw the decisive weight into the
Gale. Y. News.
SINGULAR L0GIcAE Consequences OF Mr..
uMNER's BrIL.-The National Intelligent
er has the following criticism: S.
The bill introduced by Mr., Sumner into
he Senate ITO carry out the principles of
epublcan government in the District Of
Columbia" offers q curious example Of the
Id maxim that 'extremes meet" Those
{ our Neutrality-suspicious. who have hereto
,re feared that the distinctions of color
Tonld be totally abolished in the District
{ Columbia, 50 that there would be no DIFF
,renee what color judges, lawyers, Jurors,
to-, should have, will learn with satisfac-
ion that the opposite principles is to have