Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-06-21
Respectfully, yours, Ne,
JoHN NJ. G. PARKER.


! j. " g. Parker, b.;
/ My DEAR SIR:-Ytur esteemed favor OF
/ the 18th ultimo was dlly received ] was
much pleased TO have the opportunity to
/ hear Senator Wilson, and was agreeably
/ SURPRISED to meet such fairness and frank
ness in politician whom | have been taught
| t. believe uncomprOmsngly opposed to the
" white people of the South
have maturely considered your sngges-
| ton 60 ''wisely unite in efforts 10 restore
Louisiana to her former position in the
Union through the party in power. Ny
letter ot the 9th OF April, TO which you re-
fer clearly indicates desire for practical
reconstruction and reconciliation. Practical
men can surely distinguish between practi-
cal reconstruction and reconstruction as an
abstract question, / will endeayor, howev-
en- with renewed energy, to meet your wishes
IL The matter The serious difficulty |
SppYcncnd IS the want OF that wisdom which
Is necessary for the great work | shall be
happy to work in any harness that promises
- i'--TssScd people and harmony
Bear r. tie mantle Of 3tr. Davis or The
mantle OF Mr., Sumner, so that | may help
TO bfiag the glory Of peace and good will
toward men.
shall ,ct ont by assuming a proposition
that bold TO be self evident, viz; The high
est of human laws is the law that is estab-
lishcd b5 appeal to arms
The great principles that divided political
parties prior to the war were thoroughly
discussed By out wisest statesman When
argument was exhausted resort was had to
compromise. When compromising was
unavaliue discussion was renewed, aud ex-
psdieu' we're sought but none could be
found, % suit the emergency. Appeal was
tilally made to the sword to determine
which Of the claims was the construction of
constitutional law. The sword has decided
in favor Of the North, and what they claim
ed as principles cease to be principles and are
become law. The views that we hold cease
to be principles because they are opposed
to law 1t Is therefore out duty to abandon
ideas that are obsolete and conform to 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 her Southern men, naturally
sought alh3uce with the Democratic party,
merely because 1t was opposed to the Re
publican 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 stand
point from which good may be done
Ii L appreciate the principles OF the
Democratic party, its prominent features
oppose the enfranchIsement of the colored
man, and deny the right to legislate upon
the subject of suffrage, except by the.States
individually. These two features have a
tendency to exclude Southern men from that
party, for The colored man is already enfran-
chised here, and we cannot seek alliance
with party that would restrict his rights
The exclusive right of the States to legislate
upon suffrage will make the enfranshisement
ot the blacks, wSether for better or for
worse, fixture amongst us. 1t appears,
therefore, that those who cry loudest against
this new order Of things ns public calamity
are those whose principles would fix it upon
u without remedy Hence ii becomes US
to insist that suffrage should be extended in
al the States, and fully tested The people
OF the North should adopt what they have
iorcs,i upon us; and If il be proved to be a
mistake they should remove it By the rene
dy under republican principles Of uniform
laws upon suffrage.
If every man in the country will meet the
crisis with proper appreciation of our con-
diton. and come faiiy up to his response
b.lities on to morrow the sun will smile mp
on a happy people; our fields will again begin
to yield their increase; our railroads and
rivers will TEEN with abundant commerce;
our towns and cities will sound with the
tumult Of trade, and we shall be in7igorated
by the blessings Of Almighty God
! am, sir, very respectfully, your most
0hedient servant, JAMES IONGSTREET.