Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-06-01
What Thon2

Suppose the Southern people reject the reconstruction plan by refusing to hold conventions to frame constitu- tions, prefcrring to remain under mil itary governments rather than divide political power with the negroes. What then? Have the Radicals made up their minds what they will do with the elephant in that event? Will they keep the South under military rule without fixing any period or condi- tions upon which it shall end, or will they try some new invention to delude the Northern people while they tyran- ize over those of the South.
 We imagine that they will find them selves in very annoying dilemma. The Northern people, with their pres ent burden of taxation, would hardly be willing to continue the expensive military establishment which would be rendered necessity by such policy, for what little fun and satisfaction they could get out of it. They might and probably would demand that the iron grasp of the tyrants now upon the throat of the prostrate South should be withdrawn, and that downtroddcn sec- ton be permitted to recuperate it's en- crgics and develop its mighty re- l sources, in order that the general in- terests might be thereby subserved, l the wealth of the nation be increased, and the weight of taxation lifted from 1 the shoulders of the grooming people. In word, they might conclude that this little one-horse despotism was not paying expenses. Then where would Radicalism look for security or relief? | h. n small fragment of the Radical masses, reached these conclusions would the Jacobins retain their hold of powerY
 The refusal of the people of the seve- ral Southern States to hold conven- tions puts an end at once to the pres ent reconstruction plan. If they do 1t something else must be devised or matters will be brought to stand still. This will neither be tolcrable or tolcr- ated. Thousands of Northern men. seeing the fatal and blighting effects of the delay in restoring the Union upon the industry and business of the coun- try, have given their support to the present plan because they believed that through it the desired result could be most promptly attained, and we have not doubt that in case of it's failure they would be eager to tender terms of adjustment which the South could honorably accept. We may be ill error, but the experiment on the part of the South would cost nothing, and would be well worth the trial. It would at any rate prove a disturbing element in the Radical party both in and out of Congress. and might result in such a reaction as would place the Democracy of the Northern States in the ascendant. It is positively certain that the condition of the Southern people will not be improved by yield ing their assent to the plan before them, while their rejection of it may possibly give them chance for some- thing better.
 The only reply that can be made to the adoption of the course we recom- mend possessing the slightest plausi- bility is, that contiscation, either par | tial or complete, will follow the rejec- tion of the plan. This is the sword of Damocles, supposed to be suspended by hair over the heads of the people, ready to drop and pierce them if they do rot abjectly yield. It is scare crow and nothing more. It has fright ened the croakers, but cannot influ- encc enlightened and discriminating men, for all such know that if this pol l icy had been regarded as advisable or safe, the Jacobins would have resorted to it long ago, and that if they have any idea of doing il under any circum- stances, they will do it whether the plan is adopted or cjected.-[ Louis vile Courier.