The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1867-01-05
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What Shall we Do z

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Keep quiet, peaceable and orderly,
ebeying the laws and the constituted
authorities. Be sober. industrious and
frugal, and endeavor to cultivate a
cheerful disposition. thinking as little
of past sorrows as possible. Strive to
adapt ourselves to our new situation
and circumstances. Be kind and just
to the freedmen, and convince them
that we are their best friends. Let us
show to the world what we can do. I'M
der the pressure of calamities, which
might have utterly overcome less
noble people. Are our fortunes gomez
eur lands laid waste, our dwellings in
ruins, our families thinned by battle
and disease : Let Us, in the language
of Scripture, throw off the .sackcloth
and ashes. grid up our loins, and begin
anew--gather up and consolidate the
fragments--look forward and not back
ward--repair the fences and improve
the fields--bnild up again the once
comfortable mansion--restore the
household gods--mourn not too much
for the loved ones lost-bless Heaven
for what remains, and try to be as con-
tented and happy as we can. m ef
But, politically, what shall we do
Very little, so far as national politics
ure concerned, and let that little be
well done. Let US eyince desire to
cooperate with the party at the North,
most friendly to Us, as far as we can in
our present anomalous position, and be
willing TO listento the counsels of our
friends, and make them understand our
true feelings and wants. We have
every reason to believe that the Presi
dent of the United States is disposed
toad and protect US to the extent OF
his authority, and We should recipro-
cate bis friendliness by every act in
our power, not Inconsistent with our
duty and honor. We have done every
thing which We were required to do,
after the surrender, to enable us to be
restored to the Union, and. if we are
kept out. hereafter, it will not be our
fault. Let US make no more conces-
sions. Crawling and begging will do
no good. Doing nothing ourselves To
offend or aggravate, let as wait to see
what will be done by others. The pres
emf state Of affairs cannot last always
or long. The hotter the fire, the sooner
the fuel is consumed. The radical
madness will burn itself out, after a
while, unless we supply fresh material
for it. Let US avoid this.
As States, unrepresented in the
Union, what shall we do with regard
to home affairs and interests But
first, viii the State organizations in the
South be permitted to continued We
think so, We do not believe that the
radical Congress will attempt to over
throw all the existing organized gov
ernments in the Southern States, and
declare everything that has been done
by the respective Legislatures, null
and void. 1t is too revolutionary q
step, and they will pause before they
take it. While Andrew johnson re-
mains President of the United States,
twill be difficult to accomplish all this.
We shall see. The threats which have
been thrown out by the most violent Of
the radicals, and which have frightened
some of our faint-hearted people. will
never. in our Judgment. be carried out.
We are not afraid of con6scations or
trials for treason. That day has gone
by There are too many sensible men
at the North for this. Ali that viii OF
can be done safely is to keep us from,
representation and tax us at their pleas
ure. The last they could do, with
their numerical majority in Congress,
=. = Faraa
even if our Representatives we're ad-
n'itted. We shall then remain, perhaps,