American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-04-05
DISQUALIFICATION OF THE SOUTH
ERN STATES.


Time flies rapidly, but "govern-
ments move slowly" TO the expect
ant mind where combinations inter
vene to prevent the realization of
fond and earnest expectations, time
moves slowly, its wheels creaking
with disappOintments and ''hopes
long deferred" Thus impatience is
begotten, often resulting in murmurs
against '.the powers that be-" 1t is
now nearly year since the armies
of the late Contederacy surrendered
to- overpowering numbers, and ac-
cepted in good faith, the result of the
issue or a conflict of arms unparal-
leled in the history of wars on this
continent. Never did people ac-
cept with more calmness and reSigna-
ton the failure OF cause in which
their hearts were centered. The
Southern people at once realized their
true condition, and set about to re-
pair, as far as possible, the evils
brought about by the terrible strug-
gle of the last four years. There
was nothing required of them by the
victorious party that they did not
perform to the very letter. They
felt anil realized that the war was
ended and that their allegiance was
due to the old government, which
they have not withheld.
In the face of all this, and the sol
pmn declaration of Congress, in 1861 ,
that the war was being waged on the
part of the United States solely for
the restoration of the Union, and
that no other object was to be at
tanned thereby; and that when the
Union was restored, all was accom-
plished that was desired, the Radi-
cal majority i'll Congress still persists
in keeping the Southern States from
participating in the legislation of the
country necessary to bring about
such restoration. They have made
every effort to thwart President
JOHNSON in carrying out his restora,
ton policy; they have resorted to ev'
cry artitice, however dishonorablc, to
make it appear that the Southern
people are still rebellious, and unfit
to participate in the representative
rights of States; they have appealed
to the lowest prejudices of the ignor
ant people of the North; they hay,
left nothing undone in their inta
nous attempts to keep us III a state
of vassalage and dishonor; they
have charged us with cruelty to thu
negro, when the reverse is true; they
have denounced us In terms shame
fully devoid of the least respect
they have refused us hearing upol
the floors of Congress; and have
kept our Representatives from occu
pying their tightful seats in tha
body in order that they may, with i'm
punity, cypress and malign and de
nounce Il people without IA hearing
Hence, it is, that Time drag
heavily upon the Southern mind
begctting Impotence and estrangc
mcnt on the part of the South. TIL
Southern people were anxious for tn
immediate restoration of the Union
the restoration of traternal regard
and a complete return to all the dll
ties devOlving upon them as a fire
people. The conservative people o
both sections were anxious that tn
wounds of the past four years shOul'
be healed as speedily as possible, il
order that the country might again
be Fe-instated in its career of pros
perity. But, no; shuch was not t,
he. With the end of war the mis-
sion of the Republican party wa
finished; the shackles of SLAYER.
had been removed from the limbs Q
the negro, and not a slave was left t
press the soil of the United States
Such, however, was the opinion of
large majority of the people of tn
country. But the Republican pan
ty was in the enjoyment of 18th
spoils of the public plumber" whic
they desired 10 retain and control
and hence, the hobby of unire''So
sufrdge was brought into Congress
us the Trojan horse which set til
whole country in political turmoil
and has thus prevented the earl
and complete rehabilitation of til
Southern States, in order that
party might maintain the politica
supremacy.
Admitting that the people of til
South were wrong in the attempt t
rsblish u new government for them
selves, is it manly-is it magnani
mOus-fOr those in power in the gov
eminent to Cypress a fallen peopl
who are already grOaning under tn
weight of political oppression I'm
yet our Christian ~ rulerS-we rcfe
TO the Radicals in Congress--SeeI
to glOat with fiendish satisfaction
over the opportunity and power the
have of pressing the iroh-hecl a
Congressional despOtism upon on
necks-a despOtism not warrante
by the letter or spirit of the ConSt
tuition. DO they expect to win OF
confidence and affections for go
eminent thus made the engine Ot 81
preston to us +! Perhaps. they wouI
DeIfer to cngensler in the hearts
the Southern people a hatred OF Il
General Government, in order IN
they may produce political pab
lum for the maintenance of the
party in power. Hence it is We -
that conditions for the restoration
the State are laid down which
bigh-minded and ehivalrOus Poop
ls.a