Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-22
YOU CANT DO 1T, SIR.

Our readers remember Gen JOIN A.
McCIERyAND, commander in the army
of Gen. Grant at the time Vicksbnrg
was assailed. He was sent North by the
latter, and thus his military career
ended. With his warlike reputation we
have nothing to do. He is politician
of great experience, some influence, bnt,
we think, of little discretion. AT all
events, we regard him as an unsafe
counselor for the South, il he has lately
uttered a sentiment attributed TO him by
the New York Tribune To JOHNSON
meeting at Macon, Illinois, last week, he
is reported TO have written:
CHANGING ut the President reconstruc-
,.ou policy, what remains 10 be said OF
ik2 He has officially and formally an
nounred the termination of the rebellion,
ana the fact that each and all of the
T,ates are equally entitled TO exercise
is enjoy the same relations TO the Gen
-al Government. What should the dis
-ranchised States do As an humble in
.v.dual, revering the Constitution and
expecting the rights of all, | say lei those
tasss elect their Senator's and Repre-
rsasires. and lei those Senator'S and
2e7,resenfatires repair to Washington,
"a take their entitled seats in those
sodiss, peaceably il they can-.forcibty
r tbey mast, and let the consequences
.ate care Of themselves
We protest, as Southern men, against
naugurnting policy that would make
revolution and involve, possibly, the
country once more in slaughter We
protest against the advice of any North
ern man, when that advice goes TO the
point Of suggesting 4 state of things
similar TO those from which our best ex-
ertions cannot now extricate MS. Emerg-
ing from one war in which Gen McCLER-
NAND was opposed to u.s. he is the very
last man we should listen to when he adj
vises us 10 commence a second. Where
wonld be be, when failure on the part
Of the Southern members to obtain
heir seats hy force, left " consequences
TO take rare Of themselves p Where
would the Stat of Illinois be2 Against
the South. For party purposes II may
do well enough to use such language,
hut il will not do for the South TO heed
il. No friend Of the people onght to
attempt now TO Z" fire the Southern
heart, and, least of all. Genera in The
Federal army. Let us live in peace Let
US rebuild the fabric Of onr fallen great
Hess. We are oppressed, il is trne, but
We are poor; the little left Us from de-
vastation and con6scaiion is not enough
to begin new war with The DISPOSE
ton, too, is wanting. Oar aspirations
are all fer peace Our cry Is, give us
that and we will take care Of the rest
We are not a party to the contest going
on at the North However we may feel,
or whatever we may think, makes no
impression on the situation We have
no voice in the Government, and that is
the issue being tried in the North Oar
only hope of the future resides in the
snccess Of President JOHNSON policy.
That policy cannot succeed if the violent
counsels Of such friends as McCLERSASD
has shown himself to be, prevail War,
death and destruction would result from
following his advice A million bayonets
would once more CLEAN all over our
country. Northern Conservatives, who
would goad us on to madness and to the
final catastrophe of our country, would
themselves he borne down in the hurri-
cane that swept the diameter and cir
conference Of the whole country II
they did not hang suspended from the
lamp posts and the trees, they would
crouch concealed in the caves and the
.arrets from the reign Of universal ter
ror No, no; such advice as that given
u BY McCIERSAsp will make no impress
sion On the South. It's policy is to stand
rtill and see the salvation of the LORD.
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