The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-11-27
HON. B. H. HILL TO GEN. GRANT.
The Question Of Reconstruction,
HEADQUARTERS IN THE SADDLE DISSECTED
THE MEN WHO FAVOR THE RADICAL
MEASUREs-PRINCIPLE THE
ONLYTRUE POLICY.
To General q. S. Grant:

To General u. 5. Grant:
1t is not my purpose to eriticise, or make
formal reply to General Pope's letter.
To all intelligent minds that letter must
furnish its own severest criticism, and it's
own most effective refutation. Besides,
knowing the influences which surround
him, and the characters of those who hur-
RED, with supple grace and smiling selfish
ness. to fill his deceived but willing ears,
the Generals situation inspires all my
compassion and none of my anger. But
these characters, through General Pope's
position, are misleading the government
and people of the North, and, to secure IA
vor to themselves, are hurrying the North
ern and Southern people into common mis-
fortunes by prolonging and increasing
mutual distrusts. Therefore make the Cen
erals letter of the Oath July the occasion
for addressing a few notes to yourself
Events have thrust upon you the grayest
responsibility in human annals. A few
months will determine, aud determine
beyond recall, whether you are equal or
unequal to the task. You do not occupy
General, the highest official position in the
nation, but you do occupy the position,
created by events, from which, with the
least effort, the greatest good can be ac-
complished; aud from which, also, the
greatest evils by mere permission may be
inflicted. Whoever else might save Con-
stitutiOnal liberty, it is certain you can.-
American freedom, protected by govern
ments organized under and secured from
excess by written Constitutions is the
grand stake. Save it, and yours will rise
the very Teneriffe of human regulations.
Let it be lost, or let others, save it without
year help, or in spite of your opposition,
and no mortal ever fell to lower deep from
higher place, only because so blind to
chance OR unequal to duty.
Now, then, to this end l ask You to par
don me if beg you, first of all, to fully
comprehend the one ides in American pol
isies, without which every other idea can
only confuse and mislead; that the writ
ten Constitution, and that which is au-
thorized thereby, is the only legitimate
American will, and, therefore, the only
supreme American law Violate, disre-
sard, lose sight of, or refuse to see this one
ruth, and no wisdom nor learning can en-
nghten, nor position, nor power, nor ar
MES save. Then, anarchy as the ordeal
ana despotlsm as the goal, is inevitably
American destiny.
10 the next place let me remind you
snat, IN times of pnblic peril, frankness,
however discouraging, is the highest pos
aoie virtue, and deception, however fiat
erl9g is the highest possible crime. If
YOU nave the greatness of soul required to
appreciate this truth, my letters will not
~ aAaeeded, though the writer be repre-
s S,, nom official headquarters as "tur-
oulent and disloyal."
;haeeptng on this standpoint of the Con-
n naslltlon and gnided by thisspirit of frank
l,sss' propose, in three separate Notes, to
~ ~. oafe before you the real facts touching
se separate bat important propositions.
,.a :. VINO they are, of the Southern white
q No., "uo Will accept the Military Bills as
sap a'il Oh reconstruction. and what are the
t uasons and notions which control and ae-
'1a'e them in such acceptance
-, = Who they are, of the Southern white
eo se, VINO reject said bills as plan of re-
and ,sauctlon, and what are the reasons
s shu motives which control and actuate
1iem IN such rejection.
Sonth @aas plan will cordially unite all the
AVOID aesh people; secure permanent union;
nat;" neure wars; restore and increase
tio 0o.ynal prosperity; perpetuate Constitu-
nrot a. government, and most etfeethally
ma s.'cs lhe African race in all their rights.
naar, hnaliy, what the Government and
Tia m ~ u Tie North must do as indispensa-
ths c. 9, peace, II they persist in forcing upon
tion 1 n".fn States the plan of reconstruc-
AK p,'oposed IN the Military Bills, ...
iors,, 0 !. VI these three points 1 intend to set
POM .ae facts; which neither General
HI p -, nor his ampGibions counsellols, nor
attem numerous spies, either can or viii dare
'''nipt to controvert.