The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-09-13
Only am Experiment.

Only am Experiment.
General Robert G. Schenck, the hero of
Vienna, at present candidate for U. S.
Senator from Ohio, who Claims to enjoy the
confidence Of the Administration, in a recent
speech at Chilllcotte made use Of thesfollgw.
ing language
"The President might have held the rebel
lious States in military subsection as con-
ouered people, until satisfied Of their entire
loyalty, and until reinstated in their former
positions by legislative action; or he might
have withdrawn the military force altogeth-
Ter, add left them to exercise their civil fuoc.
tions locally and in their relations to the
other States From the start there were
objections to each of these courses, and the
President combined them, holding q mill
tary force over them at the same time that
he allowed them to reinstate their civil
powers, and begin again the exercise of
their loyal functions.
This latter privilege, however, was only
an experiment. and the speaker assured his
hearers that President johnson so regarded
lit. Only ten days ago, in a full'apa free in
terview with him, the President said he re-
garded the local governments set up in the
rebellious States as temporary experiments,
simply to give the people an opportunity to
show whether they will develop the right
spirit and policy necessary for full rfsto.
.ation to their proper position IN the Gov
Iernmeht. While regarding them as experi-
ments, lie intends that the military power of
the Government shall hold them in check, SO
that if they be found straying back into re.
bellious ways the military will be there to
prevent them from ever again making the
trouble they have heretofore caused.
The President, IN his conversation, re-
farred to the course that had just been pur-
| sued in reference to the Richmond election,
where the citizens manifested their rebellious
spirit by electiug to office the very men who
had recently been in arms against the Coy
eminent. 1t was with his sanction that the
military authorities had set sside that elec-
ton, and he gave this as an example Of what
might be expected in cases Of q similar
kind"
If this is true it is certainly different from
the professions the President has made to
/ the people of the South since their submiS
sion to the power Of the Federal Govern
ment They have been led to believe that
| after going through with the complicated
process which he has prescribed for their ad
mission into the Union, their labors woulG
be at an end, their sins all atoned for, anl
4, that they would be reinstated in all thu
rights they enjoyed before the war. l
! General Schenck, however, has not misrepre
scented the case, all their labors are to b
treated simply as an experiment. and an.
Stat government, even after its formation
and its compliance with all the requirement.
!, Of the Presidents procla nation, is Liable tt
be closed up at any moment. This i
guaranteeing to each State a Republical
form Of government" with a vengeance
. They are tod that they shall haye the RICH
| to "io.m their own institutions in their owl
way" bnt they must take care that ''thei
own way shall! exactly conincide with tn
way Of Andrew johnson, President Of tn
/ United States. There are so many iuaiyid
uals of late who claim to be the confdant
and advisers Of the President, but who real
" are profoundly ignorant ofhis intentions
J, that we hope General Schenck is one Q
, them. We do not believe that Mr.. johnson
would be guilty Of such fraud and outrag
: on the rights Of the Southern people, as tina
which one Of his protested friends has i'm
puted to him. We do not believe that h
has set the Southern people to enactipg
farce for the special amusement Of tn
. Black Republican party Of the North.
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