Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-11-30

ltdtl'eiy supmiItSu, ahu IA suumioVcuj
is not likely to be accepted, because
the test oath bars the doors of Con-
gress against the only men who can
represent the South in fact and in
spirit; and because the most unre-
stricted representation can be of lit
tie value SO long as the Radicals have
a majority in both Houses and be-
cause the South will never consent
to place itself under the political
control of its former slaves, misguid-
ed, as they arc, by yankee teachers
and politicians, and because the peo-
pie Of the South will never, volunta-
rily, aid in overturuing the "best
government the world ever saw" by
consenting to the humiliation of
State sovereignty.
There may be men in our midst,
who advocate such proposition, but
they were either enemies, during the
war, or pretended friends, prompted
by other motives than those of patri-
otism and love of constitutional lib
erty. Our people know we'll, how
ever, that it is not love for the South
nor for the constitution that prompts
the proposition under consideration.
They know that the Radicals enter
tain no other purpose than to per-
petuate their own ascendancy, and
every step they take tends to the
overthrow Of the government and the
deeper degradation of the South. IF
this be not their purpose, what mo-
tive can they have for changing "the
best government the world ever saw?'
1t is grave mistake to assume
that the South is so eager for imme-
date representation as to purchase it
at the cost of future and certain
ruin. In the absence Of grosser
usurpation than any which Congress
has yet venturcd upon, the preserva-
ton of the constitution, as it is, de-
ponds upon the action of the South,
and it is resolved to save it, or share
the common ruin of both sections.
IF the conservatives of the North can
not, or will not, see this palpable
truth, and at once arrest the career of
Radical usurpation, they, alone, will
be responsible for the fatal results.
So long as the South is allowed a
voice in the adoption, or rejection of
amendments, the constitution is safe;
, but when Congress shall declare that
three fourths of the northern States
are competent to amend it, our con
troll over the subject will have passed
, away, and the fate Of the government
will be speedily settled as the Radi
Gals have willed it.
With this prospect, Immediately
ahead, there are presses in the North
professedly conservative, that advise
us to compromise on negro suffrage
regardless of the fatal consequence
, of such surrender to a centralizing
power. These secret foes, like oul
more open enemies, are influenced b.
, no purer motive than an increase o
revenue to tighten their taxes and t.
increase their profits in the various
= branches of trade with reconstruct
ed and reuscitating people. But w
beg to be excused from taking tn,
advice of open enemies, or pretended
) friends. If the government is to b,
overthrown and the genius of libert,
banished from the continent, let i
never be said that the South, aftei
bearing its standard through foul
years of bloody war, ignominiousl.
surrendered it in time of peace. Tit
p memory of our noble ancestors, ou
@ own untarnished honor and the dut,
5 we owe to posterity forbid it. If thu
c people of the North are willing Il
f wear the yoke of despotism, we ma.
f be forced to share their burden, bu
n never their dishonor. Then, lie
@ them cease to invoke our aid in thei
@ work of self destruction. What w
. can do to save the constitution, viii
$ be done firmly, but quietly. Bcinj
no less conscious Of our weakness
than of our duty, we remind the peo
g pie of the North, that the struggl
/ for constitutional liberty is betwee
e themselves. Look at home for aid
u not to US. We will do no mean &C
l. to subserye any purpose of yours
/ You may continue to harrass us wit
y the various appliances of vindictiv
n hate, and to gall our necks with tn
l. yoke Of tyranny, hut our honor is j