The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-06-20
New ORLEASs, La, June 3, 1867.

NhW ohLEhNS, LA.r June d, 1901.
j. NJ. g. PARKER, Esq.
My Dear Sir-Your esteemed favor Of the
18th ult., was duly received. was much
pleased 70 have the opportunity to hear
Senator Wilson,und was agreeably surprised
TO meet such fairness and frankncss In q
politician whom have been taught to be-
lieve uncompromsingly opposed TO the
white people of the South.
have maturely considered your supges-
tion to wisely unite in efforts 10 restore
Louisiana to her former position in the
Union, through the party now in power"
My letter of the 9th Of April, to which you
refer, clearly indicates desiie for practical
reconstruction and reconciliation. Practical
men can surely distinguish between practi-
cal reconstruction aud reconstruction as an
abstract question. will endeavor, how
ever, with renewed energy, to meet your
wishes in the matter. The serious difficulty
that apprehend is the want OF that wisdom
which is necessary for the great work.
shall be happy to work in any harness that
promises relieftc our distressed people, ard
harmony to the nation. 1t matters not
whether | bear the mantle Of Mr.. Davis or
the mantle Of Mr.. Sumner, 80 that / may
help to bring the glory of "paace and good
will toward men"
shall set out 10y assuming proposition
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 wisest Statesmen. When
argument was exhausted resort wus had TO
compromise. When compromise was una
vailinS, discussion was renewed, and eN
pedients wers sought. but none could he
found to suit the emergency. Appeal was
finally made to the sword, 10 determine
which OF the claims was the true construc-
tion of q constitutional law. The sword
has deeiied in favor Of the North, and what
they claimed as principles ccase to be prin.
ciples, and are become law. The views that
we hold cease to be principles because they
| are opposed to law. 1t is therefore our
duty to abandon ideas that are obsolete and
conform to the requirements Of law.
The military bill, aud amendments, are
peace offerings. We should accept them as
such, aud place ourselves upon them as the
starting point from which to meet future
political issues rs they arise.
Like other Southern men, / naturally
sought alliance with the Democratic party.
merely because it was opposed 10 the Re-
publican party. But rs TAR rs l 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, 1t is proper
and right that should seek some stand
point from which good may be done.
| Ii appreciate the principles OF the Dem.
ocrntic party, its prominent features oppose
the enfranchiscment Of the colored man.
and deny the right to legiolnte upon the
subject OF suffrage, except 10y the State,
Individually. These two features have q
tendency 10 exclude Southern men from
that party for the colored man is already
enfranchised here, and we cannot seek
alliance with party that would restrict hi;
rights. The exclusive right Of the States to
legislate upon suffrage will make the en-
franchsemcnt Of the blacks, whether for
better or for worse, a fixture among Us II
appears, therefore, that those who cry
loudest against this new order Of things al
public calamity, are those whose principle,
| would fix 10 upon us without remedy -
| Hence it becomes us to insist that suffrage
be extended in all of the States. and fully
tested. The people of the North should
adopt what they have forced upon us and
il it he proved to be a mistake, they should
remove it by the remedy under Republican
principles Of uniform lnws upon suffrage.
Ii every man in the country will NEE,
the crisis with proper appre citation Of oul
condition, and come fairly up to his respon
sibilitiss, on TO morrow the sun will snilt
upon happy people; our fields will agair
begin to yield their increase our railroad
and rivers will TEEN with abundant com
merce our towns and cities will resount
with the tumult Of trade, and we shall b'
invigorated by the blessings Of Almighty
God.
lam, sir, very respectfully,
/. Your most obedie Mt servant,