Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-09-02

R0- Why iisrit tkapthe northern and
southern radicals persist calling the
press and the great body OF southern
whites Eebels2suThe1war ended by a.
surrender of southern meRin. arms on
the one part and pledge of the national
faiib,on, the ,other that. they should have
their. former constitutional ,rightsd'onr
condition Of good future behavlotg in
obedience to the laws. Thus wasothe
faith of the parties mutually pledgedzul
that was the CONTRACT 1T has not been
broken by southern soldiers or citizens
who we're in rebellion, Why then arelthey,
denominaied rebels now2 They engage
in no rebellion against lawful Authority
So far from it, they are now submitting
to unlawful force and they are called
,feBels because they den6unee awhatyi
unlawful and inexedsable.,' :" ~
The, radicals capnot vindicate their
DISTINGUISHING innocent men and men
never convicted of crime, and their Fa.l
rious acts Of pettytyraphy towards the
southern States. So true is this that
they do not even pretend to do it. When
the constitution is trampled down in the
person of a southern citizen, whose
rights are guaranteed by that instrument,
forthwith the southern mant and per-
chance the ex.rsbel, complains, says
that there are inalienable rights, that
some such belong to him, and that it is
great wrong to himself and to the
whole country to take any ofthem away
What them Do the radical papers and
men show that, in point of fact, he has
not been wronged, and that all his com.
plants are false and baseless2 Not OF,
all. But every hound of the radical
pack yelps rebel rebel treason trea
soni 7'''' ''''''' - '''~
So, simple, rightful opposition to
wrong and outrage is treason in this
century the 10Th. Where is the honest
man, who can look honest men in the
face, and pretend it is not the very.
meanest despotism to denounce as rebel
lion every protest against cruelty and
oppression2 TheiRadical party now ex'
ercises the right of force, so far as it can,
which the highway robber possessesTr,
that of furnishing the complaints Of its J
victims. There is no other rebellion ex-
tant in the southern States, excepting
only the cases of individual outlawry,
common to sill times, and which all good
citizens are anxious to suppress. Yet
the radical press carries constantly the,
Infamous lie in its mouth that there is
rebellion in the South, and that every
man is rebel who does not think them
paragons Of excellent ygoverpors. ,ol a aa,
There is not q candid man, who is a
thinker and capable of an honest
discussion, who dare affirm in
argument that there Is any rebellion ex'
listing in the south, which needs either
punishment or prevention No honest
man can see or show any thing ip the.
opposition. arguments And ,denuneia',
lions of the southern press sand people
but rebellion against executed and at
tempted radical tyrannies. That is the
rebellion that now is. 1t is ebellion
against psrty, petty that would rule
or ruin, a party without patFiotisrn, or
on honorable purpose, OF hepest act; a
party which never fought the battles of
the Union or became entitled to any
fruits of its victories, and 3 party which
has no more claim in right reason to-
rule the land, than it has capacity to
fathom the ends of government and IN
tegrity to pursue them. Rebellionl
treason forsooth. Then it is, rebellion
to denounce the work Of unprinciplea
ambition and it has become wickedness
to oppose to tyranny the arguments and
remonstrances Of patriots. .. e
fY. -sf
I.........s .I ..m q