The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-04-20
THE DEMOCRATIC IDEA.

One X. M.-Powell from Texas writes long
letter which u pnblishcd in the New York
News, tho orcan u! the Democratic party IN
that State. Richard, Robert Rebel, or Reuben
Powell, or whatever his clrstcncd nauie may
b., evidently IL not zap To snuti, AMI il no, II
tacticiap, or Ia would not eSposc the counter
sign OF his party; it il not the way his allies
IN the North do. They keep up the samc ter
rible thinking like the oil quoted owl hut they
sugar.coat their nelarious scenes with such
words as constitution, conservatism, johnson
ism, &c, ~ as To gull tho fats. But here ar,
some Of the luLrcatinns Of this reconstructed
rebel
The war was simply contest at arms for the
right Ut sell government, ani the conclusion Tor
ever settled that question. The President cannot
save the country by his democratic ideas, or ap
leals 10 the wisdom anl virtue at the people That
appeal has airca'ly been made, AMI the people
have decided against republcanisn. The unl
thing now LETT Tor the President u 10 To save the
country. is to imprison the Congress and all whu
oppose his policy awe into tranquility the restless
and revolutionary spirits which iniest tho coun'
try and disturb the peace and harmony.
Ut EhEs SbIilcpu ~ isiot wv
ing converted from the error Of his ways in dc-
ser,ing the rebel cause:
DO you not think that he begins To realize that
we of the South were right in fighting the disun.
ionists whom he has met "at the other end Of the
line" and wishes from his heart that we could
have killed every one Ut themr Don't you think
now, il il was Ia do over, he would help us lit.
tlel Tell him. il he will commence the fight. that
We will help him, AMI that, even II we whip them,
we will not ask for our "niggers," hack again,
but would veSy much like 10 have them sent To
Africa or Massachusetts. You all know there eau
be no more peace in tins country as n Republic.
and II Is best for the good OF every citizen Of the
country that the fact should he acknowledged,
and that the President should act accordingly.
But he docs not know that even johnson can
save the rebel cause:
I fear he is even now too late; there is insub-
ordination in his army, because he hesitstes, and
his officers have LEANED from him 10 look I" the
people only as the head Of power, and that their
appreciation Is mightier than the commands oi
the First Magistrate Of the country. How puny
even pOtentate becomes when he once admits
his weakness; hls scullion will lose respect for
him.
Our yalorous Democratic friend approves Of
Mr.. Johnson's policy, but he is afraid OF the
people, and pronounces the cause hopeless:
The policy of the President meets our approval,
AMI his actions aud words excite our admiration
but they fail to inspire hopes in vast majority
Of the people. lie discovers his anxiety AMI ap.
prehension. The past five years only ex-
perienced the commissions premontory VI the de-
uge that is 10 come unless the President will take
military possession ot the country, aud dissolve
the Congress. and hold the country under militia.
RI rule, aud forbid all political excitement until
.he waters shall calm. aud serious reflection pre-
pare the people To discharge their duties in an
earnest and ,liguihed manner. OF this we have
no hopes; indeed none. IL, however, he is forced
into an armed conflict with the enemies vi law
and order, the disuniOnists at the 'Uther END, "
he will muster host of warriors. We will take
the greatest pl-asurein whipping the fellows who
ins,il,ate,l the Government ~ punish u for their
sins.
Il. NJ. L. thinks III" President can rely upon
tho South, "stll bleeding as she is" to pro-
tect him from the people "with whom We
quarreled," and closes with this exhortation ::
Try aud get the President to arrest aud impris.
On the Congress, and suppress Radical newspa-
pers anl imprison the editors.
The above will answer as specimen OF the
hopes of the democrats and rebels, inspired by
Mr.. Johnsonr plan Of reconstruction.