Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-03-30
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| trying to revive the Democratic party fora Twin, and now he's iM his element. Parties arc formin, and the old hack is in his glory. He's sorter like the Era as yet--hc won't take side, he won't join the issue, he wont commit him. self, he's keepin an open rear as the Era says q wish that paper would take an astringent.)
 But, my friends, we've got nothin to be ashamed of. Since the war our pur- suits have been peaceful and honorable. We necdent humiliate ourselves thro' fear of what humankind can do to us.- 1.-the Radicals intend to confiscatc us. they will do it, and no acceptance of Shcrman's bill will prevent it. If they want our cabbagcs, they are goin to have 'cm. If they will ride over one law, they will over another. If they disregard Mir. Johnson's great argu- ment, they'll disregard anything. I don't know how it is generally, but there aint an unpardoned rebel in this county and if they confiscatc they have gotto declare the pardohs all void. Nobody knows what thsy wont do, or whca they will quit doing it, and my advice is to suffer and be strong, endure everything and accept nothing. All is lost save honor, hold upycur manhood, don't lick the hand that's raised to strike the blow. Joe Browns banner says "all is lost save honor, and that is only tolcrablc I thank you, it grows puny and weak" He says we can have representation in Congress.
 Who by? A man who can take the test oath, and can control the nigger vote. Who wants such representa- tion? How long before he would join the Radicals and go i'll for contiscation. Ifhe controlled the nigger vote he'd promise 'em land or anything else.
 Dcmagogucs have alwas controlled the ignorant whites, demagogucs will control the ignorant blacks. Who controls the nigger influence in Ten nessee ?-why, Brownlow and his par ty. Tennessee has done just what Joe Brown wants us to do, and look at her and weep La niggcr candidate runnin for Governor.
 But suppose we had representation, and had elected all good men, fair men, just men what could they do for us Just nothing at all. With the present radical majority all our votes wouldn't undo anything that has been done, and with radical President they could do as much moreas they pleased. Just let 'em all alone, give 'em rope, more rope, history is rcpcatin itself, the crisis will come some time, tyranny and oprcssion must run its course. Joe Browns pro- gramme won't stop it. One of hisres- olutions made my head swim; felt like taking chloroform. He would try 10 make the whole yankee nation be- lieve we loved 'em like brothers and wanted 'cm to come out South and let us hug 'cm.
 Well, all that sortcr stuff is played out. There aint hundred men in the State that has any more respect for a radical than hyena, and Joe Brown knows it. But the good Lord knows our hearts, and how fondly we cling to those moderate men of the mighty North, who would save us from the humiliation that awaits us. Let kind word be spoken to subjugated reb, and the warm blood quiekcns in the veins. sQ
 Oh, but here arc the Union Leagues, somebody says, what are they going to do with us? Never mind my friends, the Union Leagues aint goin to hurt mo- body. They are made of flesh and blood like we are, and they are citizens, and their fate will be our fate. They are as much disgusted at Sherman's bill as anybody. They are our neigh bors and our friends, and if there is some bad men among 'em, there is enough of the good to make 'cm do right. So keep quiet and be easy, and the Union Leagues are not going to trouble you. If they want to save their own, it don't follow that they want to steal yours.
 But Joseph is afraid we cant stand military government. Well, l know it ! is humiliating, whitening, crushing, but we have stood it, and can try it awhile longer. We can do it till we can do better Military governments aint the cause of our poverty and distress. Its a government higher than Thomas, or sherman, or Sheridan. Its the loss of crops, the want of rain. The military never stopped the corn from growing. and there's just as much rain in one platform as another. 1.-the Good Lord will only bless us with an abundant harvest, everything will go on smooth enough with the humble and honest people who drive the blow and hoe the corn. If they prosper, everybody else will too, if they mind their own busi- ness.
 We will have to quit talking so much and quit writing altogether-muzzled lipsand gagged press. I've done took warning myself, and quit. Had my life insured in the Knickcrbocker, and the policy wont allow me to expose myself, to jump into unnecessary peril. The military can out write us anyhow Folks say the pen is mighiier than the sword, but you put 'em both together, and they1 flank man out of his liberty and may be his life, in double quick