The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-06-19
Ishave. maturely considered your esuggestion to

Ihaye. naiurely considered your suggestIonto
"wiselytunitein efforts to restore Lousianafo her
former position in the Union, through the party
now inpower." My letter. of the 9th of April TO,
which y6u refer, clearly ypdicates adesire for;prac
teal Reconstruction andSreconciiation Practical+
men din surely distinguish between practical re-
construction reconstruction; as on distract
question: i viii endeavor,. however With renewed
cnergyto meet your wishes in the matter The
serious difficulty that appreheud the 7Ta.rt of
that wisdom which is necessary for the great work.
shall be happy to work many harness that prom
ises 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,
SO that I may help to bring the glory of 'peace
and goodwill toward men, So
: shall set out by assuming proposition thatI
hold to be scf:eyident, viz:- The highest of human
laws is the law that is established by appeal to
arms,
The great principles that divided political parties
prior TO the war were thoroughly discussed by our
wsest statesmen. When argument was exhausted
resort was had 10 compromise. Wien COMPROMISE
was unavailing, discussion was renewed, and expe
dicns 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 construction of constitutional law. The sword
has: decidedin favor of the North, and what they
claimed as principles cease to- principles, and
are become law. The views that:we held cease to
be principles because they are opposedto law. 1t
is therefore our duty to abandon ideas that OBJ
solete and conform 10 the requirements of law
The military BILL and amendments, are peace
offerings We should accept them as such, and
place ourselves upon them as the starting point
from which to meet future political issues as they
arise. = -
Like other Southern men, naturally sought al
lance with the Democratic parry, merely because
it was opposed to the Republican 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 standpoint from which good may
be done. - q; .:.s...5..
J If appreciate the principles of the Democratic
party, its prominent features oppose the enirap-
chisemcnt of the colorcd man, and deny the right
to lsgislate upon the subject ofsurage, except by
the States individually. These two features have
! a tendency. to exclude Southern men from that
party for the colored man is already enfrancised
here, sand We cannot seek. alliance with party
that would restrict hisrights. The exclusive right
of the States to lesislatc upon suffrage will make
I the :enfranchisemcnt of the blacks, whether for
better or for worse, q fixture among US. 1t ap-
pears, therefore, that those who cry loudest aSains
tbisMew order of things as apublic calamity, are
those whose principles would fix it upon us with
out remedy. Hence it becomes us toinsist tha
suffrage be extended in all the States%and fully
tiessfed The people of the North should adopt
wha. They have forced upon US ; and if j. be proved
toabc mistake, they should. remove it by the
remedy under Republican principles of uniform
laws upon suffrage
|.:ilf every man in the country will meet the crisis
with proper appreciation7of our condition, and
como fairly up to his responsibilities on te-mor-
row the sun will emlc upon a happy people : Iosr
fields will again begin to yield their increase our
railroads and rivers viii teen with abundant COM
-mcrce; our towns and cities will resound With Tho
tafhult of trade, and. we shah be invigorated By
the Blessings of Almighty God: $ :;
I. -: - : i am, sir. very respectfully,
Your most obcdicnt ser3ant,
JAMES. .LoNGsTEEET.
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