The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-09-11
TO the Editor of the Tribune:

TO the Editor Of the Tribune:
SIR You have commented in the Tri-
bune on my recent letter to a Committee
Of Atlanta, Georgia. expressing my views,
in part upon the scheme of reconstruction
adopted by Congress and offered to the
ten prescribed States for tier acceptance,
Your comments are intended to be severe :
they are also unjust to me and to those who
may agree with me, though, am bound to
presume, not sointended by you. should
have felt grateful if you hail published the
letter, which, believe, you have net done,
claim no right to it's publication in the
Tribune; for / fully recognize your right
to publish or reject whatsoever You may
deem expedient and proper / therefore
prefer no complaint OH that score, though,
from your usual fairness, might have
expected you to pursue different course.
The masses ut the Nortlt-and am not
sure that the remark is not applicable even
to yourself and very many ofthe editors
and leading men of that section-are not
informed of the true condition Of things in
Georgia and the other nine States which
are termed disioyal. Especially arc they
not informed of the real feelings and mo-
greSsional scheme of reconstruction. Ii
they were, fain would hope that the pol
ley of the dominant power would be less
exacting and proscriptive, not to say OPP
prcssive. Ii those who lead public senti-
ment in your portion of the Union be true
patriots and statesmen, their real desire
is to promote the welfare of our whole
country and perpetuate good government,
i'll coutradlstinctlon to mere party ascen-
dancy. This, certainly, should be the aim
of all good men. / assure you that no 9TH
er feeling has % place i'll my breast. |
never, in my whole life, cherished senti-
ment or did an act OF intentional hostility
to the Constitution of the United States,
or TO The Union of the States, based upon
it, according to my honest opinion of its
spirit and meaning.
The late war has wrought great changes
in the Southern States, and has brought
before the people of the Union, for final
decision, many grave questions, involving,
inmy poor Judgment, the character and
destiny of orr Government. Indeed, con-
stitatonal liberty itself is in great peril
This is my honest conviction. Statesmen
should survey our surroundings, with the
view Of averting that peril, rather than
the maintenance ofparty ascendancy. No
man can more ardently desire tho rcstora-
ton Of the Union, upon tho principles OF
tile Constitution, than do. / submit to
all the legitimate results of the war, and /
would gladly adopt any plan of reconstruc-
ton which wonld not seek to impose terms
upon us inconsistent with those results,
and calculateda to imperil constitutional
liberty. You seem to think that am fac
titiously opposed to the Congressional
scheme; that wish to prolong and aggra-
vata present political disturbance and dis
cord; thai am actuated by q spirit Of
disloyalty; that throw the small mite Of
my poor influence into the scale of strife
and discomfort. Little do you know, and
less do you appreciate, my earnest long
iIalSs for peace, harmony, prosperity, ma
.sloaal equality and justice. The scheme
ol reconstruction offered to us Processes to
extend to us the right Of choosing by vote;
1t calls on rs to say whether We are for or
against a convention, such as that scheme
eohlemplates. When /, in the exercise of
taat yoitlon, express myself as opposed to
u. You and the other leading Republicans
o. tue North, who consider my poor opin-
IONS worthy to be noticed, infer therefrom
s snat am disloyal, factious and rehelious.
y those who are opposed to that plan OF
reconstruction are thus to be branded, why
call on us to choose? If we be free to
ouoose, tits quite consistent, charitable,
ahd luSt to dcnounce us because we do not
esocsc as the Republicans desire that we
suoattl Aye, moro than this to threaten
10 WIN perpetual disfranclisement and
s,,pniiSeallen il we do not so choose? Is
suae The Way to establish State govern
. a.cuts, deriving their just pewers from
iae consent of the governed z" 1t is true,
as' aisifanehised--I am not permitted to
tsslsser under the Sherman bill. But
~, III not Know that was, therefore, not at
Gl,ppglIy to write and speak freely to my
aaeauap:w,citzens, without being denounced
i ~ u,,sioyal and factions l profess to be
I osM 70 the Constitution, and intend to be
.I3al !, 70 tho Union, when it shall be set !
ssst 1hae Georgia constitutes one of the |
eSs,es Oh the Union. But if loyalty means
na asasy and adhesion TO the Republican
L sits, Shall never belong to it nor loyal
NM NJ ~ 50 lone as it persists in course of
H. iNplley which must end in the overthrow of
- w. constitution, I have taken the oath
ss; assaliesty, and intend to keep it, in good
sm,n, N letter and spirit. 1t binds me to
s,afpcrt the Constitution. That will do
SMILE @s.'e pest ofmy ability. 1t binds me to
f pdap the emancipation of tho negroes
f, s,n slavery. That I intend to DO, and
r;n ,pt .llelr investment, by law, with every
Avn mat is consistent with their welfare, |
t so interest of wcll-organized society, and
Woasp representation Of good goyernment.--[
~ lnan this yon would not ask of mel
NJ No may differ honestly as to what rights
S;s compatible with these ends; bnt that
ts .attehce does not constitute either of us
se a.aols or disloFalists, in any legitimate
@lse of tile term.
ill.,, y9a could minslo personally with
AAeui, doubt NOT van woItll he snro,,;s.d