The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-11

the Union throuRh the party now IN power,
and which IN all probability will retain
r"we, for many years to Gomez II you
accept, l shall &c glad to hear YOUR views
on the condition Of public affairs.
Respectfully yours, etc: ~
JoHS NJ. G.. PARSER.
NEW ORLEANS, La, jane 3, 1867
j. NJ. g. PARKER, EsQ.-My Dear SIR
| Your esteemed favor OF the 18th ult was
duly received. L was much pleased to
have the opportunity to hear Senator Viii.
son. and was agreeably surprised to meet
| such fairness and frankness in q politician
whom l have been taught to believe un.
compromisingly opposed to tho white PEG.
pie OF the South.
/ have maturely considered your sug.
gestion to wisely unite in efforts to re.
store Louisiana to her former position in
the Union, through the party now in
power" Ny letter Of the 9Th Of April, to
which you refer, clearly indicates a desire
for practical reconstruction and reconcilia.
ton. Practical men can surely distinguish
between practical reconstruction and re.
construction as On abstract question.
will endeavor, however, with renewed en-
ergy, to meet your wishes in the matter.
The serious difficulty that | apprehend is
the want OF that wisdom which Is necessary
for the great work. l shall be happy to
work in any harness that promises relief
to our distressed people and harmony to
the nation. 1t matters not whether bear
the mantle Of Mr.. Davis or the mantle Of
Mr.. Sumner, 80 that l may help to bring
the glory OF peace and goodwill toward
men,"
| shall set out by assuming a PROPOSE.
ton, that l hold to be selfevidcnt, viz /:
The highest Of human laws is the law that
is established by appeal to arms.
The great principles that divided politi-
cal parties prior 10 the war were thoroughly
discussed by our wisest statesmen. When
argument was exhausted resort was had to
compromise. When compromise was I'm.
ayailing, discussion was renewed, and ex.
Pedients were sought, but none could be
found to suit the emergency. Appeal was
finally made to the sword to determine
which OF the claims was the true construc-
ton OF constitutional law. The sword has
decided in favor Of the North, and what
they claimed as principles cease to be
principles, and are become law The views
that we held cease to be principles because
they are opposed to law. 1t is therefore
our duty TO abandon ideas that are obso.
lete, and conform to the requirements Of
the law.
The military bill and amendments are
peace offerings. We should accept them
as such, and place ourselves upon them us
the starting point from which to meet fu.
ture political issues as they arise.
Like other southern men, / naturally
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, except
the issues that were staked upon the war
and there lost. Finding nothing to take
hold OF except prejudice, which cannot be
worked into good for any one, it is proper
and right that should seek some stand.
point from which good may be done.
III l appreciate the principles OF the |
democratic party. its prominent features
oppose the enfranchsement Of the colored
nan, and deny the right to legislate upon
he subject OF suffrage, except by the
states, individually. These two features
ave tendency to exclude Southern men
rom that party; for the colored man is
iready enfranchised here, and we cannot
EEK alliance with party that would re.
.rict bis rights. The exclusive right Of !
he States to legislate upon suffrage will
lake the acknowledgements OF the blacks,
neither for better or for worse, a fixture
mongst US. 1t appears, therefore, that
hose who cry loudest against this new
rider Of things as public calamity are
hose whose principles would fxit upon us
Tithout q remedy. Hence it becomes us
o insist that suffrage should be extended
A all the States, and fully tested The
,eople Of the North should adopt what
hey have forced upon us; and il it be
'roved to be mistake, they should re.
move it by the remedy under republican
principles OF uniform laws upon suffrage.
If every man in the country will meet
he crisis with proper appreciation of our
and come fairly up to the re.
on tomorrow the sun will
mile upon happy people, our fields will
gain begin to yield their increase, our
ailroads and rivers will team with abund.
mt commerce, our towns and cities will
esound with the tumult Of trade, and we
hall be inyigorated by the blessings Of
God.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your most obedient aeryant