Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-23
Reconstruction Committee.

We have been repeatedly asked why we do not
publish the testimony taken before the Reconsruc-
eion Committee, and which has been going the
sufficient answer but MS it would not be the whole
truth, we will give, rs an additional, reason that
athe game Is not worth the candle" The trial OF
the South, now going on before that Committee, is
n one-sided affair The jury is packed, and the
evidence is given in by men who have been taught
for generation, to hate the Southern people,
They cannot know the sentiments of the South
because they feel no sympathy with it; nur can
they appreciate the influence, upon Southern feel
ings Of the peculiar circumstances by which we
are surrounded. They are as ignorant of negro
character as the negro is of astronomy and through
that ignorance the federal agents arc as if by de-
sign, doing all they can TO foster hatred between
the races, and every complaint against course so
injurious to the best interests of the South, is pa
raded before the Congressional Star Chamber as
proof Of dsloyalty. Is testimony so unfair, worth
the space it occupies in any paper2 And so Far
from its publication being productive Of good, it
tends to irritation and dsaffection by its obvious
tyranny and injustice 1t seems to be the policy
Of the Radical majority, in Congress TO induce a
feeling of discomfort, in order that The effect which
n thus studiously produced, may react, evidence
Of disloy alty, against the South. But, whatever
may be their policy, such is certainly the york.
ings of the agencies employed.
Another reasen why this parts testimony is
not entitled to any weight is the fact that those
vho give il, sill aot discriminate between an hon
sst allegiance to the Government, and devotion to
the party that administers it. The people of the
South feel a truer allegiance to the Constitution
and the Union than any radical IS capable Of feel
ing; but this is not eRough--they must PROSTATE
themselves before the majesty Of New England
fanaticism, and offer up thanksgiving to that de.
mon Of desolation. Had the spirit o. magnanimi-
ty and justice animated the majority of Congress,
all would, now, have been peace and progress,
throughout the length and breadth of the country
but the opposite spirit holds sway, and the opposite
effects are the resait. The South cannot love the
Radicals, aud to profess to do so, would be the
fssest bypocricy; and if such love is set up by
them, as the standard of loyalty, they may as well
learn, once, that there is no sach loyalty in the
South Justice begets confidence, and magnanim-
ity invokes kindness and admiration; but, the
character Of the radicals, devoid of every enobling
attribute inspires no feeling akin to confidence and
respect. No doubt, many have testified before the
Committee Of Fifteen" who honestly believed all
they said to be true; but, for reasons already as
signed, they do not know the people of the South,
AMI full tba;r
character MS to do them full justice. Every man
who fought against us, is more or less prejudiced
and SO far incompetent as witness, and the fed
eral uniform is no such letter Of recommendation
Is will admit the weayer into the full confidence OF
the individual approached. Thus with prejudice
On both sides it is unfair to take it for granted tha,
federal oftcer--no matter what he may conceive
10 be his opportunities--can be competent judge
Of tho true sentiments of people to whom he pre-
sents himself clad in the insignia Of military pow
er and deporting himself u conquerer. Il ia not
because his presence subdues the spirit of the South
ern man, but because his position repels confidence
and forbids uureservct intercourse.
But suppose every witness were TO give none but
the most favorable testimony in behalf Of the
South, what would it avail2 Nothing The OBJ
jcct Of the Radicals ia not to do justice, bu,
to hold on to power by severing the Union, aud
silencing the voice of the South Ia the councils
Of the nation. This being true the Committee Of
Fifteen is a humbug, the examination Of witnesses
an insulting farce and the Constitution, the SCOT
of lawless faction. The testimony ELECTED, under
such state OF case be OF no especial value for
the simple reason that it has weight in the de-
cison OF the question at ISSUE and to parade it before
the public, is to give it an Importance to which ii
is not entitled. II Is not TO Congress- the South
mus, look for ts rights; nor can testimony, from
any quarter help the cause, The remedy--if rem
edy there be-must be applied by the Constitution
and President. These failing, the government, be-
comes military despotism, and the South, a Po-
land-with all the horrors Of war Of races super
added. Whilst Go are awaiting the course OF
events let us, of the South, strengthen the of
Andrew johnson by proving our allegiance to the
Con,itution lie can appreciate the distinction we
have drawn between loyalty to the government,
add subservicncy TO the dominant faction. His
own experience has taught him thai loyalty to rad
icalism is treason to the constitution and his knowl
edge " the South will enable him 10 place its true
value upon the testimony which Is being taken,
ostensibly, for the ends of Justice but, in reality
for the purpose of misleading the people whilst the
work Of disnnion aud consolidation is being con-
summated,
= =
JuDGE ksLLoGG, Collector OF Customs, New Or
leans, has been notified that the authorities, at
Washington have dismissed all the parties engaged
in the seizure of property in the South, claimed
Us belonging to the Confederate States, and all
that has been seized will be held for investigation