The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-13
Letter to Chas. Sumner.

hon. CnaS sumner, w NaShlngt0n, u. o.:
Dear Si-I hope you will excuse the liberty have
taken under existing political affairs to address you
letter the present political condition of the Gov
ernment 1t was, believe, favorite maxim with
the ancients and I well remember, it was still in
vogue in the days of my youth-the early and better
days of the American Repnblic-that man should hear
much and speak little. I have at all times and under
all circumstances endeavored to be guided by this
maxim; vet, have recently heard so much and have
spoken little that feel almost justified in speaking
few words now-especialy to one who has spoken
so much you have political affairs. The clown
in the circus recently explained to nv entire satisac-
ton why it was that the daysin summer much
longer than in winter the principle that all bodies
expanded by heat, and contracted by cold Is it
not the scientific princ pie that the late ses-
sons Of congress have expanded to such enormous
lengths? Have not you and your colleagues, in the
thirty ninth Congress, yielded to the Influence
of the heat of passion than to the prompngs of
patriotism giving the lie your professions of undy
ing love for the Union by keeping the South out in
the cold.
l design in this communication to define what my
position in the late war between the sections and
what it will be in the event of second war The
late war in this section was an unsuccessful effort
the part of the South to get out Of the Union; in
this war was counted out. Should we have a second
war; it will be for the Union, and you count in
And, if may judge you by your official acts, must
count you ont. In a word, when the was waged
to get out of the Union, was out, and, to be
sistent, when the war is waged to get in the Union.
will be in; and you to be consistent, must 90 with the
outs" In other words, the South is now and al
ways has been for the Union under the constitution
while the North is in favor Of the destruction of the
Union and the constitution.
Having, sir, by mastery craftsmanship, been sue
cesstul in making the South Union and the North dis
union, hope you will turn your attention to scme
Improvement on the handwork of the Almighty, by
making white black and black white. This also fear
you may find will be attended with sectional difficult
ties. In the North the great difficulty, apprehend
Will be to bring your white constituents of Massachu
setts up to the high standard of free negro law ma
kers, wtlle as it respects Louisiana you may legis
late and laWmake till you all get you fill and the
stencil Of the negro remains there STILL and always
will.
Willie on this subject, would respectfully remind
you, that while it may be in the power of man to
change the laws of men, you may experience much
difficulty in changing the fixed and immutabe laws of
God; especially such laws were enacted previous
your late election to Congress. alude to the impOs
sibiity of establishing either social political cqua
ity between the races, at least of this section.
One word Of advice and will close 1t is this: In
my opinion, true craftsmanship does not consist in
constantly calling to mind the dark and gloomy hiso-
ry of the past. Forget, if possible, for the
black man and the Black Republican party, with all
such dark and gloomy subj look the present
and to the future history Of country abandon
forever all false notions of mental and social equality
of man; cease to legislae exclusively for negroes
while at least portion Of your constituents claim to
be white; lcgislate for the fuure-cgislatc as the
white representative Of government of white people,
made by white people, for the benefit of white peo-
pie; look up-view the starry heavens above, and take
lessons of wisdom from the handiwork of God, who
in ninite wisdom has made one glory of the sun,
and another glory of the moon, and another glory of
the stars and to differ from another star in
glory" with nothing resembling equality in all the
armament of heaven, and never will be among the
white men Of the South, in the Union or out Of it,
while the heavens remain
Respectfully, c. H. BURNSIDE
Shreveport La March l. 1867