American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-03-31
has received the sanction OF ooth
branches of Congress. les
ANDREW JOHNSON.
President Of the United States.
rx- Confessedly the most intricate

le6es the wisdom OF the most sagsc'o"S
q solve. is the tendency Of political SEN
;rent in the United States at this mo- "
uent. Whether the dominant power that 6
has for the last quarter OF century
trampled every opposition under its 'eet'
and is still unappeased by the immense i
sacrifices that have been thrown into Its
voracious NAV. shall seek its elimination
in the political enslavement OF vast sec.
ton, or shall be stayed in its fanatical
career by moral force and influence yet
undeveloped. is the great question OF the
hour. The termination Of the most mo-
mentous drama recorded in history has
left to the powers that be. legacy OF un-
foreseen issues that battle the judgment
and furnish material for apparently end
less dissensions. The situation Is
grave one for the people Of the South
and cannot be contemplated without
feelings of undisguised apprehension
Although originating from the same an
cestry, differences Of thought, opinion
and action, dating far back in our nation
al history. arose, and strengthened and
eliminated in fraternal conflict. The war
has ceased. The physical power OF the
one section is crushed. subdued; but
thought. and feeling. and mental hab''
tudes, are all as widely apart as ever
Homogcnity has not been attained, nei-
Their, indeed, can it be. A failure to re"
cognize this fact. is in our opinion. the
radical error in the legislative branch OF
our General Government ldentically
the same sentiments and passions that
held high carnival in the breasts OF men
during the heated epoch Of war, seem
now to prevail and give character to the
dominant party in Congress. The Sc
we're and radical measures that may
have been demanded, are not applicable
to the condition of profound peace. We
aver that the great heart of the South is
a. peace and for peace; and the treat"
ment demanded is emollients and not ir'
ritants. The attempt to establish abso'
lutte and immediate equality in all respects
between the white man and the negro, ls
to attempt result as illogical as it is i'm
practicable and absurd. As far as 1t is
attaipable, and as fast as it is attainable,
we would foster and facilitate the equall-
cation of the races. But to legislate on
the assumption that the negro is phy"''
cally, morally and intellectually the same
, as the white man, will only lead to dis
appointment and disaster. Abstract the
/ orists may SO declare. but the inexoraol'
). logic of events, and the testimony OF con-
current history. give an emphatic den'a
d to the hypothesis. Law makers tor 9
i great people, possessing diverse and al
most antaponistic habits and opinions
i should, if il be possible, rise above th'
. indulgence of passion. animoslty or ma
Il lpnant hate towards any particular sec
r ton. The plainest principles OF common
7, sense should teach them that we VIII
/. have always had. and still expect
J. have the negro among us, are more deep
Is " interested in his elevation intellectual
d and politically than any body else posi-
Or bly can be. In recognition of this FAC
st let them legislate with moderation AM
e watch the success Of the experiment who
til Southern legislatures and churches an
a people are by force Of circumstances not
he making in the elevation and improvement
b. Of the negro. If we fail. then we wi
be willingly turn over the job to those wi
c. think they can succeed better. But v
ly do protest against the enforcement OF th'
ed policy that would sndow the freedma
RS with the highest rights Of Citizenship
IS. while, at the same time, it is deeme
NJ necessary to give him a guardian to NAL
e his contracts, to direct him where
n work, bow he shall marry. and how
be shall collect bis claims in court. II q
to negro could be banished from the halls
les Compress. even for a twelve-month,
nd verify believe the work oil recons'ru
ce. ton and paci6cation would 60 forwa
ro with greatly accelerated speed. Ii
red understand the Southern heart. it is
as anxious and earnest in the desire to
Of speedily reinstated in its original posi'i'
md as il ever was jealous and determined
Ter. its efforts to secure an Independent
The tionslity.
and We repeat, the situation is grave
lize for the South, yet not without no
ons. Time solves many intricate qusstio
'Pe. settles many angry disputes, disarms
nd. naticism and introduces the sway OF r
ing son and truth. We will labor then,
l, wait. Let US apply every energy to
ton great work Of repairing our public
oeo. private fortunes. Let US endesvor to
be- produce the comforts we once enjoyed
tent gather our household peustes and
the prove our condition morally and 10
.ni Iectualy, so that. absorbed in this 6
will and good work, We may pass BY with
II