The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-06-13
LETTER FROM GENERAL LONG
He Unites with the Republican Party in
the Great Work Of Reconstruction.

STREET.
He Unites with the Republican Party in
the Great Work Of Reconstruction.
rom the New Orleans Republican, June s.
New ORLEANS, May l6, 1867.
General James Longstreet
GENERAL In your admirable letter of
the 9th ultimo you remark that ''our efforts
at reconstruction will be vain and useless
unless we embark in the enterprise with
the sincerity of purpose which will com.
mand success
The spirit which inspired the above para
graph, together with the fact that thous-
ands of brave soldiers are still ready to fol
low their leader wherever he may see fit to
call theu has embroidered me to extend to
you an invitation TO attend a mass meeting
in Lafayette Square to morrow evening, at
which the Hon, Henry Wilson, distin-
guished leader in the Republican party,
will address citizens of New Orleans.
AS soldiers we were opposed to each
other during the late war; but as citizens
may we not wisely unite in efforts to restore
louisiana to hes former position in the Union
through the party now in power and which
in all probability viii retain power for many
years to come ? If you accept, shall be
glad to hear your views on the condition of
public affairs. Respectfully yours, etc,
john NJ G. PARKER.
New ORLEANS, La, June 8, 1867.
J. NJ. G. Parker Esq:
My DEAR SIR: Your esteemed favor Of
the 18th ult. was daily received was
much pleased to have the opportunity to
hear Senator Wilson, was agreeabIy sur
prised to meet such fairness and fraukness
in a politician whom have been taught tc
believe uucompromisingIy opposed to the
white people Of the South.
have maturely considered your sugges
ton to ''wisely unite in efforts to restore
Louisiana to her former position III the
Union, through the party now in power
My letter Of the 9th of April, to which you
refer, clearly indicates desire for practical
reconstruction aud reconciliation Practi
cal men can surely distinguish between
practical reconstruction and reconstruction
as an abstract question. ! will endeavor
however, with renewed enCrgy,to meet your
wishes in the matter. The serious difficult
ty that apprehend in the want Of that
wisdom which is necessary for the great
work shall be happy to work in any har
ness that promises relief TO our distressed
people and harmony to the nation. 1t matters
not whether bear the mantle of Mr., Da
Wis or tie mantle of Mr.. Sumner, so that
may help to bring the glory Of ''peace anC
good will toward men. .
shall set out by assuming proposition
| that | hold to be self-evident, viz: TIT
highest Of human laws is the law that is Is
tablisbed by appeal to arms.
The great principles that divided poiitica
parties prior TO the war were thorough,
discussed by our wisest statesmen. Whei
argument was ex hausted resort was had t
compromise. When compromise was una
vailing, discussion was renewed, and expe
dients were sought but none could be foun
to suit the emergency. Appeal was finall,
made to the sword, TO determine which c
the claims was the true construction of con
stitutionaI law The sword has decided i
favor of the North, aud what they claime
as principles cease to be principles. an
arr become lar. The views that we hold ceas
TO be principles because they are opposed
LAM. II is therefore oar duty to abandon idea
that are obsolete and c04forut to the requirement
Of TAR.
The Military Bill, aud amendments, ar
peace offerings. Yves houd accept them as Sacl
and place ourselves upon them as the St1ftjR
point from acjcle to meet future political jasueS q
| they arise.
Like other Southern men, natural
sought alliance with the Democratic party
merely because it was opposed to the Re
publican party. But as far as | can judge
there IS nothing tangible about it, excer
the issues that were stated upon the wa
and there lost Finding nothing to tax
hold of except prejudice, which cannot b
worked into good for any one, it is prope
and right that | should seek some stand
point from which good may be done.
If appreciate the principles Of the Dem
ocratic party, its prominent features oppos
the Acknowledgement of the colored mar
and deny the right to legislate upon tn
subject OF suffrage, except by the States
Individually. These two features have
tendency to exclude Southern men fror
that party; for the colored man is aread
eufraGchsed here, and we cannot seek ALI
ance with party that would restrict hi
rights The exclusive right of the State
to legislate upon suffrage will make the Ell
reimbursement Of the blacks whether fo
| DGJLGf OF lOF WORSE Il liNLuf6 dinOuSSL uk
1t appears, therefore. thot those who or
oudest against THE uew order of things a
public calamity are those whose principle
would fix it upon US without remedy. Henc
it becomes us to Insist that suffrage shout
be extended in all of the States, aud full
tested The people of the North Shout
adopt what they have forced upon US; an
if it be proved to be mistake, they shout
remove it by the remedy under republican
principles Of uniform laws upon suffrage.
If every man in the country will meet til
crisis with proper appreciation Of our con
dition and come fairly up to his response
bilities, on tomorrow the sun will slnil
upon happy people our fields will agai
begin to yield their increase our railroad
and rivers will TEEN with abundant com
merce, our towns and cities will resoun
with the tumult Of trade, and we shall b
invigorated by the blessings of AImight
God. am, sir very respectfully, you
most obedient servant,
JAMES LoNGsTREET.
| -s-s S-----
The Andersonville League.
A Washington correspondent Of the Fri
| PENN Dispatch writes as follows, whicl
i he saws he can testify to