Des Arc citizen., 1866-03-08


 VIC stand to them as the Zenith to the Nadcr.
 Gratifying, indeed, would it be to us, after four years of sectional strife, such as tho world has seldom witnessed, If our Northern politicians and fanatics would bury the tomohoph and smoke with us the calumet of peace. But we regret that such is not their disposition. They are not content that the Negro has been freed the South prostrate and helpless as to mcans--depleted as to resources; and yet, with all this, willing to struggle into life, if but let alone. The prominent measure of the Radicals is to elevate the African to political equality; yea, more than equality with the Anglo-Saxon race of the South-the descendants of the gallant patriots of '76, who bore so noble a part in the achievement of what was once so noble, so glorious a government. The pure Anglo-Saxon race of the South IS denied q voice in CongressS while heaven and earth are being moved to confer the Elective Franchise on the ebony race of Ham; untutored, uncivilized and unbleach- ed as they are--strange if ought in the imperfection of human reason can seem strange in this utilitarian age, is this doc Urine of the Puritan Propagandists-New England misceginations. But unpleasant and revolting as 1t is to every sensibility of cultivated taste, and shocking to every instinct of our moral nature-still we are summoned to look this hideous monster squarely in tho fice--we cannot, if we would. shrink from the issue forced upon us-the question has but two phases, and there is no middle ground It matters not whether we were for Union or Seces- sion--whether we took our place in the Federal or Confederate army--this same doctrine of negro equality comes home to us all-it drives mady over all former po- litical preferences, geographical lines and former associations, like an avalanche from some "mountain brow"
 But we are not of those who look upon our moral and political sky, blackened and darkened by the fanatical storm clouds, and have no hope through the gloom, a ray of light faintly gleams, gladening the heart ofthe pure patriot North and South. There is at the helm of the old ship of State an experienced pilot, with a steady nerve and a fixed purpose-he sees the danger and feels the pelting storm, hears the deep mutterings of the thunder; sees the angry pillows roll-these but serve to quicken his vigilance and steady his moral nerve-"sink or swim; live or die; survive or perish" he will not give up the ship or leave his post, till the storm beaten vessel has passed safely between Charybdis and Scylla. Fortunate indeed for the South for the North---eyen the civilized world for the present and for generations to come that Andrew Johnson happens to be Chief Magistrate of the North American States composing our Republic, through the President, in the noble, national, con stitutional stand he has taken, we have hope of a brighter and better era, not far in the future. Let Thadeus the cats paw of Phillips and Sumner, rave and rant. and rally his dark cohorts to the charge, let him call upon his Lieutenants Frea. Douglass and Brolcnlay, his compeersAnd equals-and gathering all their force at tack the Administration--bu the Presi- dent, like the sturdy oak of the forest, which, while the storm wastes itself upon its brow, gathers deeper roots unseen. The Presidents course recently, ought to challenge the admiration, respect and con- fidence of every true patriot in the nation If he had errors and foibles heretofore they sink into insignifcance compared with the noble, broad, proud stand he now holds.