The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-09-12
The Southern Press and the Phila-
delphia Convention.
LETTER FBoM JOHN FORSYTH.
From the Mobile Advertiser,]

| ALllEN fDO.u JUN rOhp LII.
[From the Mobile Advertiser
New York, August "a.
! regret to learn that some of our South
ern brethren of the press are throwing COLI
water on the work done at Philadelphia
are sharply criticising the declarations put
forth, and ridieulihg some of it's scenes
No man can measure the evil effects 0i
such course on the struggle here, who
has not been among this people to see il
FOR himself. Surely, it cannot be patriotic
even in a Southern point of view, TODD OF
to say anything that is in the least calcula
| ted to add a feathers weight to Conserva
tive efforts, or to help in SO much the Rad
lcals. Yet ali these editorials are so manv
shotted guns TUNED upon the men who
are making noble struggle to get us back
to our places of influence and self.protec-
ton In the Government, and to sustain the
programme of the President, which all oil
us at the South have endorsed. Will ou1
Southern brethren Of the quill never learn
that prudence and policy are essential
weapons of power in all great enterprises
and they are those we should especially
cherish, prize and practice, because we
have no others to reply upon? We have
failed to yindieate our political principles
and constitutional interpretations, first, in
thirty odd years of argument and debate,
and last,in an appeal to arms, In this
helpless condition, we see two great par.
ties narshalling for the struggle on the
soil OF orr victors. One of them is radical.
y opposed to everything we have ever be.
ieyed, and is burning with entity towards
u.s. The other aims to secure the leading
objects that are most desirable to ,ls-to
Danish military rule and restore MS to re-
presentation and voicein the general coun-
ellis OF the nation. Between these two we
are forced to choose-One or the other.
And having made our choice, the duty that
follows is perfectly transparent. IT is to
do all we can to help The better side and
nothing to aid the worse. Now cav any
thing be more unwise or Illogical than to
carp at the friendly side, and because its
platform does not come up to hestandard
OF strict State Rights orthodoxy asexpoun-
ded by Calhoun or Yancey to abuse and
ridicule it, and rail at those, who thinking
it just as they do, are yet practically wise
enough to take half loaf as better than
no bread 1t strikes me that this is the
petulance of childishness and not tie calm
Judgment aud action of maturity. 1t may
be intensely Southern, but be sure that it
is doing tas South and all her interest, po-
litical, social and property, great deal of
harm. Indeed, it is upon the temper and
conduct OF the South that the momentous
contest going on here will hinge. The
constant effort of the Radicals is to make
the people believe that the South is insin-
ceFe in its professions of acquiescence, that
it's moderation is all simulated and unreal,
that tits still fractions, iiitolerant aud re-
bellious, and as such is not in a condition
to be entrusted with voice in the Gov
eminent. To do this, the domitable party
seizes upon every line or word spoken or
written at the South to prove their propo-
sitions, and they have agents and spies
busy in gathering up this their only ammu-
milton. A Southern editor INDUCES in a
paragraph of wit or spleen, and little
knows that he has forged bolt for the
Radical committees, orators and presses to
hurl at those who are doing their best to
serve them. To show you how sensitive a
chord this is, may tell you that have
been taken to task here for saying damag-
ing things in your columns, and yet have
been striving to act out the policy of pru-
dence l am now intoxicating. 1t is certain
that some of our brethren wish to help the
Radicals. If they cannot take an active
part to aid our friends, is it tasking too
much of them to say nothing and let the
great battle in which we are so deeply in
terested go on in silence on their part9 A
contrary course may serve some temporary
Southern eclat, but it is at the expense of
the real welfare of the South. / have no
doubt myself that the overwhelming and
preponderating feelings Of the Southern
people is like mine, and in favor of the
earliest reconstruction Of the Government
which we attempted, in vain, to disrupt;
and | know that is the path to their best
and highest interests with the lights be-
fore us. 1t is therefore uuiair to the peo-
pie and misrepresents them to their preiu-
dice, when these public persons pursue
course to strengthen the Radical and
weaken the Conservative parties. Thepe
pie are right, and take the statesmanlike
view of the eSigency of the situation.
Let the press and all the politicians be as
wise, and let us be done with hasty and
rash counsels until we have piloted our
country out of the difficulties and dangers
which now surround her because passion
and rashness had taken the place of cool
policy and deliberate craftsmanship
e M J.F.
A.