The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1865-12-16
The Progress of Radicalism.

o.
a1, The intelligence we have received from
Washington is not hopeful. The radicals
are triumphant. The House of Represen-
tatives has been organized on the basis Of
the exclusion. of the Southern members.
The views of Senators Sumner and Wilson,
: OF Massachusetts,, and Of NJ Stevens, of
Pennsylvania, have prevailed. Eleven States
declared By the President to be constituent
members Of the Union, have been disfran-
,chized. They are not permitted voice in
their own fate. They have been refused
9 participation ID the affairs Of the National
Government. They are held subject to the
sway ola majority Of only section of the
country. by whom their fate, for veal or for
woe, is to be decided.
"A. Every State in this Union is equally in.
terested with those of the South in this re-
gretful result. A blow at constitutional
Government, though its weight may seem
only to fall ON particular section now,
must eventually affect every portion of the
country. If Southern State may to day
I be excluded from the rights Of representa-
tioD, Northern State may be excluded
tomorrow Ifsthe partizap views Of ma.
jority of one House of Congress may over.
ride and nullify the Constitution in one
respect, it may do SO il another; and re-
peated invasion Of the rights guaranteed by
The fundamental law will, in time, destroy
the sanctity Of the Constitution, aud render
il ineffective for good 4.s
81 AS much as we regret the result, it was
not otuuexpected. The indications Of the de.
sign to reject the Southern delegations have
long been manifest. A considerable por-
ton Of the Northern people still cherish in
their hearts q feeling of bitter rancor to-
wards the South, and no actiomon the part
of the Southern States would remove their
sentiments Of hostility. Iu their opinion.
following the impulses Of bitter and IN
charitable hearts, there is No fate too harsh
for she States and people who differ with
them on the political questions Of the day.
Though not generally unpatriotic in feeling
their prejudiees completely blind them to
the effects of their proscriptive policy, and
their views Of craftsmanship are limited to
wreaking further revenge upon an already
afflicted people. 81
There is a still larger portion of the
Northern people who, under the influence
of incorrect information, still misunderstood
NE position Of the Southern States They
do Hot appreciate the distinction between
q dignifed acceptance on the part Of the
Southern people of the logical results Of
the recent struggle. and base servilty
!. which would pander TO the vitiated tastes
Of e reigniDg majority. The passionate
appeals Of Northern orators iDfame the
public mind on the apparently stubborn at
Of the Southern people, and insist that be,
fore admission into the political temple
dedicated to the rights of every free citizen.
they shall be made to perform acts unwor-
thy Of manhood and despicable in the eyes
Of all who are capable Of exercising the
rights of freemen. II
But there is at the North portion Of the
population, and we believe large majority,
who believe that the South, as in fact is
the case, have in good faith and without
reservation accepted the position resulting
from thegwar. This portion believe that
the earnestness with which the Southern
people contended for what they believed to
be eright is proof Of their present sincerity,
and entities them. without danger to the
general interests, to the enjoyment Of all
the rights which they possess under the
Constitution as States Of the Union.
The policy 70 be pursued by the South
ern Statesin this contingency is plain. We
think We are legitimately entitled to Con-
gressional representation We have COM
piled with the constitutional requirements
necessary TO be admitted to this right. The
States, In the persons Of their delegates,
have demanded the seats to which they were /
entitled. IA majority Of the House, exer-
cising as we think q revolutionary power,
y ye p denied the claim and excluded US from
she Legislature Halls.
81 The contest of arG.s we abandoned with
The close OF the recent war. No purpose
exists iii any mind to renew an armed ssrug'
gle, and We would deprecate aud oppose
any agitation Of such . question. But
having been rejected contemptuously from
the Legislative Halls, let us act with be-
coming self-respcct. and patiently await
che return Of reason and craftsmanship,
before snbjecting ourselves to similar re-
buff from hostile and dominant faction
The conduct of the radicals cannot but ex-
cite . feeling u indignation amongst the
conservatives Of the North; and we believe
the 6rst general election will show chat the
Northern people will sustain. by heavy ma
iorities. the policy of President johnson.
and administer signal rebuke to the recent