Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-08-17
NEW ORLEANs-LOYALTY.

thoir rights against the bold revolu-
tionary attempt of the radical faction,
has been grcedily seized upon as q
pretcxt for harping upon the social.
ed disloyalty of the southern people.
There is no doubt that the collision
which there occurred, was iDstigated
by the radical members Of Congress
for the purpose of bringing about
one Of two results, viz: Either the
ratification Of the proposed constitu-
tional amendment, with black suf-
frage and white Acknowledgement, or
the bloodshed which followed, as the
legitimate result of the attempted
revolution. The happening Of the
FIRST contingency was scarcely more
desirable than the latter, inasmuch
as q bogus ratification would be less
available for present Radical necessi-
ties than pretext for prolonging the
cry Of disloyalty with such tangible
evidence of its assumed existence.
II is not our intention, however,
to discuss the merits Of this question,
and we have alluded to il with no
view to vindication of southern
loyalty, but to deny that the term
applies to any portion of our people,
except the few who adhere to Sumner
and Stevens-who worship men and
discard principles. The word, loyal
ty, was not known in the political
vocabulary Of this country until the
Radical Congress declared Mr.. Lin
Coin to be the government and oppo-
sition to him to be treason. Assum-
ing this theory to be correct, the word
has q significant application to all
who are foolish enough to believe
that any individual, or faction, can
become the embodiment of a gov.
crnmcnt whose forms and principles
would survive were every human be.
ing swept from the face of the coun-
try. Loyalty is the devotion of the
slave to his master--the subject to
his sovereign, and is a feeling bearing
no relation to the allegiance due from
free people to the forms and prin.
ciples prescribed and set forth as their
rule of action in all that pertains to
the administration Of public affairs.
The government and the agents Sc :
lected to administer it, are as distinct
entities as the ship and its crew, and
the Captain can as easily be supposed
the incarnation of the one, as the
President Of the other.
If our definition be correct, there
are no loyal men in the South. save
those who despise the Constitution
and the Union, and kneel at the foot
stool Of Summer and Stevens. The
great body Of the people are true to
the constitution, and will be to the
Union, if restored but, whilst thus
svowing the only true allegiance, they
cordially detest the dominant faction,
and this feeling has been tortured
into evidence of a want of true allie.
glance to the government itself. The
word, loyalty, ought to be odious to
every American, and we hope it will
never justly apply to the people OF
the South, no matter how much they
may be insulted and oppressed. II
is law Of our nature to despis.
those who willfully wrong US, aud i
the restoration Of the Union is de-
pendent upon southern affection fol
northern radicalism, disunion is fix
ed fact, and union impossible, excep
by force. In the meantime, we pro
test against the reception Of this feel
ing as evidence that We are wanting
in devotion TO the constitution. Re
store the Feudal system, or establish
an absolute monarchy and the Soutl
may, in time, become loyal but new
er, under the forms Of free govern
ment, will its brave sons bend tn,
knee to an usurping faction. Gu
liberties may be abridged by arme,
force, but, just in proportion to tn
weight Of oppression imposed upol
us, by Radical tyrants, will we, b.
contrast, rise above them in the seal
Of moral grandeur. Allegiance :,
legitimate government is sacred du
~, but loyalty to usurpers is a deg
radiation to which proud people cal
not readily submit.