Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-09-15
INTRODUCTORY.

II was announced in the last Issue Of the CHrON-
IcLn that We would, this week. resume oSr position
as its political editor In doing go, we feel most
sensiby the responsibilities devoving upon US
and the embarrassment to be encountered ia the
discharge u duties which would pvove compara-
rively light, but for the difficulty Of guarding
against interested misrepresentation and imagira-
mary ,hrusis at the majesty of military and civil
law. The new issues forced upon the country by
recent events, are OF the most vital character to
the interests Of the South, ms well rs Of the
whole country; and in dealing with them, our oh
jcct will be to adhere to that which may seem to
DO the wisest policy aud to uphold it with cgiti-
mate arguments well ascertained facts and all the
wholesome truths which honest investigation may
dovelope.
Whatever may have been our feelings and wish
IS during the mighty struggle, just terminated, we
claim now 10 be as true TO the Consultation as the
President himself and as deeply interested in The
maintenance Of its supremacy and may surely,
without the imputation of Righteousness or the
charge of treason urge the clnims of the South to
the rights and privileges which it confers upon all
sho owe it allegiance. In eeasing TO be rebel,
we have not ceased TO be man; and whilst we
accept in good faith the conditions imposed by the
strong arm OF power we cannot, If we would, sti-
he those higher instincts born OF freedom and
nurtured by the the very struggle which many
would gladly use as precxt for extinguishing the
last spark of liberty in the South aud for degra-
ding its people 10 the lowest depths Of political
bondage If il be treason TO resist the efforts Of
such men, VIC beg TO be considered traitor still,
rather than the tame-spritcd wretch who would
sacrifice his rights to his fears, or bend his knee
where "thrft may follow flwning." Our position,
during the last four years, we have wish to dis
guise and, in frankly moving it we give suhi-
Gent guarantee that will neither originate mol
encourage any factions opposition to legitimate
ruej but will honestly strive to promote an equi-
table adjustment Of tue questions which now dis.
tract the body polite, shacklc the energies of the
people, and retard the progress of reviving prosper
ity. In our efforts, to this end, whilst yielding
ready obedience to the laws, We will avoid, on tbs
one hand, trucking sycophNncy to the powers that
dc, md on the other, varoripg defiance; and with
the Constitution as our shield political truth oui
aim, and honest patriotism, our motive, we hope &c
discharge our duties TO the satisfaction of the
reader.
In the present unsettled state or things it is i'm
possible 10 define position in advance Of the de-
velopmonts which may be made by an uncertain
future, and it were unwise to commit oursclf to q
line Of policy which the events Of day may com
pei us to depart from or to modify. Let it snfice
then, to say for the present. that we shall support
"a, IL
the South and in all things else which our judg-
ment may endorse. 1t is well known that, in
times past, we had no love for the incumbent OF
the Presidential Chair and profess none now but
We belong to no party and in these times Of trial
and bitter adversely to our people, selfpreservaton
should silence the voice of passion and prejudice,
and Psonpt US to seek the best possible terms for
the South.
The dominant pNrty, at the North, demcnted by
fanaticism and infnriated by opposition, would
gladly strip of rights and property, transfer the
same 10 the negro, drive the whites from the
try, and make II second Liberia under Black
Republican guardianship. And between us and
this consummation, the President, We believe, in
terposes tho sole barrier and 50 long ns we hon
cstly entertain this belief, he shall have our hum
bic support. Thus far we feel safe in defining our
position, and whether it meets the appreciation Of
our readers, or not a sense of duty constrans us
10 take it, If we can not have all we are entitled
10, let us not reject the little we can gct-is bet
ter motto than-'all nonei' and the only Chance
for that little is in the hearty cooperation Of the
South with the conservative party of the North.
Already the President is assailed by the Radicals
for what they term, his lenency towards the rebels
and in that fact is foreshadowe cd the fate of the
South, should the Executive power fall into their
hands at the next Presidential election. 1t is known
too, that the President las declared that the ques-
ton OF negro suffrage must be left to the States,
and the Radicals, disappointed for the present in
ihs darling project are aboring to prove that Con-
gress has the right to decide it-hopipg to obtain,
in that body, strength sufficient to overcome the
veto power Shall We, by opposing the President,
aid that party in their efforts once more to violate
the Constitution, and initict another wrong upon
ourselvcs1 But negro suffrage is not the only wrong
with which we are threatened by the party in OPP
position to the President 1t Is clearly set forth in
the resolutions Of Th.d. Stephens as the political
creed Of his party, that the Government shall be
absolute over the States lately in rcheiou-the lat
Ter to be deprived Of the right la legsac for them
selves; that the South shall he compelled 10 pay
the whole cost of the war; that every man in il
shall be stripped Of every thing he is worth ovel
and above ten thousand dollars, and that the land,
to DO coniiscated, shall he parceed out among tn,
negroes. These no Idle threats of the Radicals
Give them the power to perform all that they hav,
the baseneSs to conceive and the South must be
come scene OF widespread dcsoation, unless des
pair should nerve the hearts of its poope once NOR
to try the fortunes Of war - the last hope Of libcr
~ and self-preservaton, To avert these ills, thcr
is, In our opinion hut one chance, and thai is L
stand by the President rs hong ~ he stands between