Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-06-06
Military Despotism.


the London Herald, in regard to the military
despotism ruling the Southern States, is so
graphic and truthful as toned no commentary
from an American press. It shows what an
enlightened EDglishman thinks of so-called
peoples government on this continent -
The present state of affairs in that vast part
of the continent of North America which has
its centre at Washington must be an interest
ing subject of contemplation TO every thought
full man. To the student of history, to the po-
litical theorist, to the partisans of democratic
or aristocratic forms of government, to the
practical philanthropist, TO optimists and pes
smists in such questions as the futureof Amer
lea and the developement of our race, to phi
losophers, in fact, Of every shade and hue, this
crisis offers spectacle as strange as il is novel
disappointing, if not unexpected paradox
cal. if not altogether unnatural. The fathers
Of the republic, when they cast off their con-
nection with Great Britain and her monarchical
traditions, established their commonwealth on
the broadest basis Of individual liberty that had
ever yet been asserted or claimed by man. All
men, they said, were free and equal The sew
eTal communities into which this country was
already divided were TO govern themselves free
y and absolutely by the independent vote Of
all their citizens. The federal Congress and
the federal government at Washington repre-
sented the Union of States in its foreign rela-
tons, but at hcine was as much restrained in
its authority as the executive Of the most lmi-
ted monarchy known in Europe.
The Rump Congress which now governs the
American people has brought matters to some
thing very much like q reductio ad dbsurdum.
Either the ten Southern States are part of
the Union, or they are not. # they are not,
Congress has no potcer 10 make ldus for them
any more than il has for Canada or Mexico
II they are, they have right to representation
in both houses, granted by the original consti-
tuition Of the Union, ,chich has nerer yet been
aJrOqated, and cannot, indeed, be Sc, aside icit-
ont their consent The Northern Congress,
however, has its army, which the South has
no longer, and the power TO make just what
terms it pleases. The use which it makes Of
its power is TO deny the Southern States all
share in the government, to question even
their right to consider themselves as States
It deprives the six millions of Southern men
of all political and civil rights, treating them
ike red Indians, except in this, that the latter
have the advantage in not being taxed. All
this has been strenuously opposed blythe Presi-
dent, but to no purpose, as the radicalsin both
houses have passed the bills over his veto by
majorities of more than two-tbirds. The last
act and climax of this injurious system of op-
preston has been what is called the Recon-
struction act, which places the South under
martial law, and assigns to il FIVE military 60
yernors, with special departments.
The South is now under military despot-
ism, and all civil law whatever is il: allegiance.
The soldiers in command are men of character,
gentlemen and Christians, and we believe them
incapable of the ferOcious unfairness displayed
towards the South by the notorious radicals
Sumner, Butler and Stevens, who seemtO carry
all before them in the Washington Parliament.
Acts of petty oppression have been committed
which illustrate the danger of confding in ir
responsible authority. General Sickles insists
that the fremen Of Washington shall defile be-
fore federal flag. and make solemn obeisance
TO it. General Pope admonishes and repri-
mands the civil Governor Of Georgia for having
ventured to express an opinion on the Recon-
struction act. General Schofeld threatens to
suspend the Richmond Times for having allu-
ded with some pride to the prowess of the de-
lenders OF virginia. All tnlS Is ulliG I'D cOii-
parison with the attitude taken up by the I'M
umphant politicians Of Ne1c E'syland The
avowed intention Of the Reconstruction act
was that as soon as the people Of the South
had made up their minds to grant the suffrage
TO the negroes. to repudiate their debts, and
disown their late leaders, they might organize
State conventions, re-establish State govern
ments, and return representatives to Congress.
The radicals, however, finding that they have
it all their own way, begin tothinl of insisting
on still harder terms. Senator Wilson, harang
uing whites and blacks, at Hampton, in Vir-
GINA, tells the people that they will be read
mitted to State rights if they will only promise
to return Union men," Even this is too much
for the old demagogue, Stevens, Of Philadelphia.
He writes a letter, in which lie solemnly de-
nounces Mr. Wilson for having promised so
much. What right has he TO promise it when
, there is no such State as Virginia, aud 10 one
las authority to say when or how it will be
recognized There must first be punishment
for the guilty and confscation Of the property
of disloyal men. BY this man, and such as he,
the restoration Of the Union is ndefnitely post
poned 1t is by his fault, and that Of bis fell
lows. that the prosperity Of the Union is at
stand STILL that the Southern fields are relaps-
ing into primitive wilderness, and the South
ern people are starving or emigrating from
their homes. America has been fitted by ma
ture 10 be Paradise on earth-why will her