The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1867-04-25
denomination at the sonth.

says the Louisville Courier: Ger.
hin editors affect q great deal Of sur. I
rise at the notion Of the Southern pco.
lie with reference to the question ofre-
obstruction under the recent acts Of
Congress and some of them pretend to
sec in that action q vital and %fundamen-
tai change in Southern sentiment. Not
one of these blatant journalists believes
however, that any real change has
been effected in the Southern mind as
to the justice, constitutionality or pro-
priety Of the Congressional legislation
to which We refer, and their affecting
to do so is most gross and arrant by.
pocrisy,
When the bills establishing a militia
ry despotlsm over ten States were first
enacted, there was a universal express
sion Of condemnation ON the part Of
the people Immediately affected by their
provisions, They saw in such legisla-
ton u elimination Of the oppressive
and vindicitivc policy which has gov
erned the conduct OF the dominant par
ty cvcr since the close Ofthc war; but
being in no condition to offer resis-
lance to any measures which the un
generous victors might choose to en-.
force against them, the first and gen
encral disposition was to remain en-
tirely passive, taking no part whatever
in public affairs. They know the whole
thing to be not only unwise and un.
generous, but a palpablc u%surpation,
and an outrageous violation Of the very
principles lying at the foundation o!
the old Government and in their de-
spair and Indignation they naturally cx-
claimed, Let them work out their own
pleasure, for we have no part in it!'
This was natural, and under any other
circumstances would have continued
the settled purpose Of the oppressed
people Of tho South.
But upon a calm review Of the sit
uation, it struck some Of the leading
minds of the South that this passive
sulIerance Was precisely what the en-
emies of the South expected and de-
sired and they contended that if the
policy Of inaction prevailed, the JAG
obins would not only have everything
their own way, in the formation Of the
conventions provided forby the recon-
struction bills, but the very failure of
those not DISTINGUISHED to take any
part in reorganization would be con.
strucd into an evidence Of contumacy,
and made the pretext for imposing
terms still more severe. 1t was there
fore urged that such as were accorded
the privilege Of participancy, should ex-
ercisc i. freely in order to mitigate the
evils as Ear as possible.
Whether this view Of the case Was
the correct one or not, it has been very
generally adopted by the people of the
South, and certainly purity and unset
tishncss of motive must be accorded to
the gentlemen insisting upon it. They
have. without exception, given in the
past the most unmistakable proofs OF
devotion to the welfare of the people {;
and it is worthy Of remark, that they
are themselves banned and prescribed
BY the arrangements in which they pro.
pose their friends shall participate.
The people Of the South do not sac.
cept'' the terms contained in the mill
tary bills. They have no option in the
case. BY takinga part in the action
under these bills they are merely try
ing TO make the best of Il bad business 8,
Many of those who expect to assist in
the selection ofdclegates were at one
time or another during the war inmates
Of Northcrn prisons. Then when, as
was too often the case, guards threw
the scanty and miserable rations at them
with an oath, they did not disdain to
receive and make the most of it, for il
was necessary to life. Now that the
Jacobins Of Congress have cast at these
same men an odious and tyrannical
method Reconstruction, in which they
are permitted a limited participation,
they propose to avail themselves of it.
In the inc case they by no means in
dorscd the %inhumanity and brutal con.
duct OF their keepers in the other they
are just as far from indorsing the usur.
patton and tyranny Of Congress.
James Buchanan.