The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-11
A Monster Petition to Congress and the
President.

The New Orleans Crescent says: ''If the United
States Congress take heed of the popular voice in
time, we may be saved from much suffering. Act
ing on this belief, number of gentlemen of both
sections have agreed to suggest the presentation
of monster memorials TO Congress and the Presi-
dent asking that the policy of the country may be
Immediately conformed to the actual needs Of the
situation, and to the expressed demands Of public
opinion.
"Below will be found this memorial which has
been prepared and is recommended to the South
ern people with this view. We would request
our readers TO bestow their earnest attecton upon
it. We believe that they will agree with us in the
conclusion that this movement, If 1T becomes
general, may do much good. Even if Congress
refuses to modify its policy, the fact OF refusal, in
the face OF an overwhelming expression of OPT
Mon from both sections of the country, will place
it still more decidedly in the wrong and strengthen
the hands Of that great party which is to be
charged with the final solution and settlement OF
these momentous questonsl:"
To his Ercellency the President and the Senator'S
and Representatives. Of the United States Con-
gresS:
The undersigned citizens Of the State of LOU
isiana, respectfully represent that the political de-
veopments of the past few months have demon.
strated the fact that the Reconstruction acts of
Congress will if persisted in, produce conflict OF
races which will result in the desolation OF the
country and the serious if not irreparable injury
of both races in the Southern States.
That the negroes of this State are organized into
secret bands termed Loyal Leagues" sworn and
combined against their former owners and citizens
of the State i'll order to obtain control of the gov
ernment.
That this credulous race have been deuded by
designing men into the belief that the prop
erty of the white citizens OF the State will be divid
cd among them.
That under these demoralizing influences they
are daily refusing to fulfil ther contracts or labor
for the support OF themselves or their families.
That, in consequence OF this demorallzatlon,
planting in his State has resulted IN the rulnous
failure of large majority of our planters, and, OF
course, in the necessity OF Its abandonment
That. before the close of the present year, the
negroes, with but few exceptions, will have con-
sumed or wasted their wages, or share OF the crop,
and be destitute of the means Of subsistence.
That the white race will be compelled to llult
| their planting to the labor Of their own families,
while the negroes will not have the means, II they
| had the capacity, to plant on their own account
Under these circumstances, famine, With all lts
| attendant horrors, must soon come upon thlS lm-
provident race.
In view OF these impending calamltles, the uil-
dersiSned would earnestly appeal to the Presiden'
ana congress TO give prompt attention 10 tnls VI
tally important matter, and provide Immediately
sucn remedy as III their wisdom can be devised, 10
avert the Iuin which, unless arrested must speed
| ily come upon us.