The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-11-28
The Proposed Amendment.

As the discussion of the proposed constitu-
tional amendment goes on in the north the
southern people have an opportunity Of OBJ
serving the course pursued by the radical par
ty, and they have spread before them, in the
journals of that section, the real opinions and
ideas of its leading men. These are quite too
plain to be misunderstood. The weak and
fiimsy disguise with which they attempted to !
conceal their intentions has been thrown off.
Confident in their strength, having so great a
majority in congress, they are coming out
with very little reservation, and do not hest
tate to say that the south must accept the
measure-cheerfully if she will, but the
amendment must be made Nor do they hes
iate to say that force will be used if there can
be found the means of applying it.
The representative men of the north, en-
boldened by the large majorities which have
been rolling in from every State, have ceased
to set the matter forth as positive good to the
south, and now say that their ultimatum IS
presented, and that they will not recede enc
item from their present position. Be the pill
never SO bitter it must be swallowed willingly
or they will take steps to force it down. Among
these men, who undoubtedly express the SEN
timents of a large majority Of the northern
people, are speaker Colfax, Gov. Curtin, OF
Pennsylvania, and Thad. Stephens Others
might be named Of the same class, but these
will answer the purpose of illustration, since
they represent, perhaps, the greater portion OF
the north Commenting upon the opposition
of the southern people, Mr.. CofaX uses Ian
guage chat would be considered revolutionary
in this section. When we 60 again, he says,
with a torch in one hand a sword in the other,
we will compel them to submit, or we will
sweep them into the bosom of destruction.
Gov. Curtin says that if they (the south)
fail to accept the terms proposed in the delib-
crate judgment of the people they assaied, he
would compel them to acceptit. The radical
papers, also, are coming out, one after anoth-
en- in favor Of force unless the amendment be
willingly adopted and, in the language of
the iron-clad oath, without mental reservation.
| Not only this, but these men give us 10 un-
derstand that even if the south should accede
to their wishes it would have no effect towards
restoration, other than its being one step more
towards the ultimate demand-universal suf-
frage and negro equality. It is now settled
beyond doubt that the radicals do not intend
to permit the southern States to be represented
in congress until this end is attained. The
lued IS CledIII SCI lOitu ny 1udu CtCFClIS, nv
uses the following words
Remember that l do not say, and never
mean to say, that when these amendments
which l now propose are adopted, the rebel
States shall be allowed to come in until they
present constitutions containing the essence of
liberty"
No further proofs are necessary to convince
the people of the south that if the radicals
have the power they will not stop short of ne
gro suffrage, and the whole programme might
as well be embraced in the present measure.
It is positively certain that no leading repub-
lican intends to admit the ten excluded States
merely upon the adoption of this amendment.
1t falls far short Of the demands which bitter
hatred and malignity will yet make, and the
end will show that nothing but the complete
humiliation of the southern people will give
general satisfaction. In all essential particu-
lars, the demands upon the south were com
piled with before and the concessions made
for the sake of peace and good will was treated
as triumphs of radical strength, merely. And
in the present case the prelense that the only
condition necessary for full restoration was
the adoption Of this amendment, was a gross
falsehood, believed to be such by our people
even before the mask was torn off and the
truth made manifest.
Within the past two months the tone of the
southern people has undergone marked
change. So long as it was believed that the
north really desired peace and reconstruction,
they came forward cheerfulIy to cooperate
with them, and gave ample testimony as tc
their Willingness to make any reasonable sac
rifces for the common good. Had wise coun-
sells prevailed, and had there been generous
desire to encourage this feeling, the southern
people could have been bound fast and firm to
The best interests Of the government; but the
opportunity was allowed to pass, and it can nc
longer be matter Of surprise that our people
should desire to remain passive when unable
to act according to their own convictions upon
matters of public welfare
WTTn Cp0pTc N TINE WESr A writer in