Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1867-03-30
Gen. LOngstreet on the "Situa
tjOn.0

tIOn."
In response to call call of tn
Editor of the New Orleans Tines
Gen. Longstreet has written lette
to that paper, which so well accord
with our views, on the question
involved, that we publish it, in thi
connection in full.
When men like lice, Longstreet
Forrest and q host of others, who
having done all that brave and hon
orable mon could do to avert thu
evils that have come upon us, now
come forward and show DISPOSE
ton to accept the result of the grea
struggle through which we have
passed, we think it time for those
who during the struggle were care
full to keep out Of harms way, to
cease to talk on our street corners
of "our rights" honor, "manly dig
nifty" DEC. Had they shown as much
zeal during the war in defending
the country as they now do in keep,
ing alive the animosites of the past,
possibly we might now be free, pros
porous and happy! Their brave
talk, coupled with an honest effort,
might then have awaited something,
now it is simply ridiculous. When
we laid down our arms, we accepted
the condition of a conquered peo-
pie" hence it is worse than folly to
talk about "terms." We must ac-
quiesce in such as may be extended
to us, but whether we do or not, it
matters little to the conqucrors,
they know very we'll that we can
not help ourselves and are even
anxious that we should do some
thing that would tend to justify the
harsh measures which they have
adopted towards us. "Our duty" is,
we think, n plain one. We have
among us some honorable men, who
during the war honestly deferred with
us, such men we do not now fear to
trust. "Our honor" will not suffer
at their hands, neither will they for
get the interest and prosperity of
the State. While it is in our power
let us select from them and save the
country from set of vile miscreauts
who, alike recreant to honor and
manly courage, would delight to
pull down, Cypress and destroy
From such creatures, North and
South, the Republic has more to
fear than from any other source.
New ORLEANS, La, March Is, 1867.
To the Editor of the ~ 0. Times.
DEAR SIR: In your paper ofy yes
tcrday you have expressed a desire
to hear the views of several gentle
men upon the political condition of
the country. find my name men,
toned upon your list, and proceed,
without hesitation, to respond.
As l have never applied myself to
politics, cannot claim to speak to
the wise statesmen of the country,
who devoting their energies to the
solution of the problem which agi-
tates the public mind. / can only
speak the plain, honest convictions
of a soldier.
1t can hardly be necessary at this
late day, to enter a discussion ofthe
matter that is usually brought up
in arguing upon the proposed plan
for reconstructing the Government.
Indeed, | think that many of them
are not pertinent to the question.
The striking feature, and the one |
hat our people should keep in view,
$. that we are a conquered people.
Recop aizing this fact fairly and
there is but one course left |
or wise mon TO pursue. Accept the
erms that are offered us by the |
There can be no dis
redit to a conquered people for ac-
epting the conditions offered by
Nor is there any o.
aston for feeling Of humiliation.
We have made an honest, and
Iope that j may say, creditable
Ight, but we have lost. Let us
ONE forward then and accept the
nds involved in the struggle. 4
Our people earnestly desire that
he constitutional government shall /
e re-establisbed, and the only |
ieans TO accomplish this is to com
ly with the requirements Of the
ecent Congressional legislation.
Ii Is said by some that Congress
-ill not receive US even after we
ave complied with their eOndi-
ons. But / can find no sufficient
sasOn for entertaining this propo-
fion for n moment. cannot adj (
ut that the representative men Of
great nation could make such a
ledge IN bad faith. Admitting. /,
0wcTer, that there is such amehtal
'serratiou. rar that lie any creusc