Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-11-30
ARE WE TO HAVE A REIGN
OF TERROR?
From the Albany On. " Argus.l


men and women Of irreproachable char
acters were condemned and executed
upon suspicion, without evidence, of en-
tertaining opinions adverse to the prin-
ciples and policy of those engaged in the
slaughter Of innocent people. OF the
many accused, the few who escaped the
guillotine, like st. Meard, Sicard and
Beaumarchails, suffered as few can and
survive. Women of rank and refinement
and peasant girls were alike the objects
of fiendish vengeance; their heads were
severed from their bodies, and carried
through the streets on poles or pixies,
and their bodies horribly mntilated and
thrown into the pits dug for the victims
OF the political policy of Robespierre,
Danton, Marat and others, who sought to
exterminate their political opponents.
The machinery which they invented and
put in motion was, eventually, applied
TO themselves, and rid the world of
monsters whose barbarity and savage
brutality exceeded any thing recorded in
the pages of history. The civilized world
condemns those atrocious acts, and their
authors have been, by common consent,
consigned to everlasting infamy.
Few civil wars have been exempt from
kindred enormities. Neither St Do
mingo. China, nor our own country, from
exceptions. The spirit which actuated
Robespierre, Danton, Marat and others,
is no stranger in our country. 1t is eve
rywhere manifested by extreme men,
and is not concealed by those whose
feelings and motions they control. 1t is
most usually exhibited toward those who
mistook their duty and engaged in the
late rebellion but recently it has ex-
tended to nearly every white man resi-
dent in the secession States. Now 1t
reaches all, wherever they reside, who do
not subscribe 10 and sustain their theo-
ries and their practical application by
the Radical Republicans. Observing
men discover unmistakable evidence of
this spirit throughout the active and con-
trolling portions of the Radical party.
1t is more or less apparent in every
neighborhood A disposition to exter-
inmate those of independent and differ
ing opinions is everywhere manifested
and toward Southern white men it is
openly avowed. The purpose of exter-
minating the Southern men, and the
confscation and distribution of their
property, has been proposed by those IN
high places who control the action of
their party.
Parson Brownlow has distinctly avowed
the whole policy, praying that he might
have hand in its execution. General
Butler, who expects to lead the next
Congress, and TO become the Radical
candidate for the Presidency, IN mo
ment of excitement, proclaimed his
wishes on this subject To his unwilling
auditors in New York, he said; fou
moor fools, have faced your superiors IN
Baltimore and New Orleans | have
hanged your betters, If you do not be-
have Yourselves, shall have the pleas
ure OF seeing you hung Do you think l
am going TO tliDchY Do you think you
are equal to the negro 2 he thus tells
the people of the Empire City that they
are not the equals of negroes; or If they
do not conform to his wishes, in political
matters, he will be made happy by see
ing them hung That he will not tinch
from whatever he may deem necessary to
accomplish this object de occupies
precisely the same. ground as the san
culinary men who voted during the reign
of terror in France Men, women, and
even children, were arrested, imprisoned
and guillotined for supposed as well as
real political opinions adverse to those
in power. Ii q spectator, when be saw
hundreds Of innocent persons slaugh-
tered, felt chills in his veins aud audibly
said TO himself, "Oh. my God. he was
arrested and butchered The governing
faction sought the determination OF those
opposite sentiments. They must be con
verted TO Jacobin policy, and become
active friends in the destruction Of those
differing in opinion, or suffer imprison-
ment and death The bloodiest men
we're the new converts, or hypoerites,
seeking TO preserve their own lives.
The Radical feeling in this country IS
fast deepening into the shades exhibited
ia France. Formerly our differences on
political subjects ended with casting our
votes. Peace and good fellowship pre-
vailed in churches and among the peO-
ple. In the leading purposes OF society,
the people went hand in hand, and were
happy. How is il now2 The fountain
OF bitter water is opened. and the waves
resemble those in France in the early
stages Of her revolution. The ruling
faction seek TO strike down those ia pow
or who differ with them IN opinion, as
tbey aid IN thar ill-fated country. Even
now determination is openly proposed
as a means Of securing permanent poger,
and the distribution Of estates as held