Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-04-06
The People of the South and the Military and Reconstruction Bill.

Judging from the recent advices re- ceivcd from the South, there seems to be but little doubt that that abomina- ton, tho military and reconstruction bill, will be accepted aud endorsed by the people of that section. Before this step is taken, however, it is we'll for every one who sincerely believes such a course unwise and prciudicial to the best interests of those for whom it was designed, to de all that they can to pre- vent the consummation of so great an outrage. It was, therefore, with pleas urc that read an article on this sub ject which appeared in your paper Of last Wednesday, in which you warned the South against the indorsemcnt of the bill alluded to. Itseems to me that the whole matter is there presented, as it were, in nut shell, and that no un- prejudiced mind, which will give due weight to the ideas therein advanced, can come to any other conclusion than that the Southern people could commit TO greater folly than to accept the bait which the cunningness of radical ism has gilded to their throats.
 The party in power never intended and do not now intend, to pass any act OT UO tHN tuiuS W uiCu VIII III uul Way advance the true and substantial inter est of those for whom this military re- construction measure was designed. On the contrary, everything done by them since the surrender of General Lees army to the present moment, has been intended to degrade and impov- erish the South and promote their mil- itary power. To reflect upon their proceedings and deny this fact is inn possible. Day after day, like the ant, they have thrown out their feelers, gaining inch by inch on the Constitu- ton and the rights of the people, till at last nothing is left too vile and brazcn for them to undertake. What care they for reserved rights or constitu- tional guarantees? What to them are the privileges of the coordinate branches of the Government? If the President in any manner opposes their will he must be removed. If the Su- premc Court refuses to carry out their edicts that body must be remodcled and reconstructed.
 Their whole thought since they came into power seems to have been how to hold the reins and drive the coach of State as not to be jostled from their seats. As to those who are crushed by it's merciless wheels, that is matter in which they have but little concern, cs- pccially if they are only poor ''renc- gade" Southerners. They are but traitors at best, and any fate is good enough for them.
 In the passage of this military and reconstruction outrage the Radicals had but two objects in view, the hu- initiation and impovcrishment of the Southern people, and the establishment of themselves on their ruins. The idea of any desire or intention on their part to restore the Union, with the dignity and rights of all the States unimpaired, is simply absurd. Such thought never for moment entered their minds.
 Talk about restoration of the Un- ion with equal rights to all the States When the same States that now de- mand ftheir Southern sisters negro suffrage as condition precedent to their return, deny this right them selves, although the whites greatly outnumbcr the negroes in the North, while in the Southern States the rule is entirely reversed. The fact is, and there can be no doubt of it in the minds of those who have carefully watched the proceedings of the pres ent Radical Congress, that this feature of negro suffrage in this bill of abomi- nations was intended to subserve the present interest of that party, and will hereafter be used to pcrpetuate their power. If they cannot do it one way they will another. If not by fair means, then by foul. The Radicals are ill power now and they do not mean to be displaced. And this very bill. with this outrageous and degrading clause, is one of the means by which they design the accomplishment of their selfish and revolutionary pur- pose. a
 What then has the South to gain by accepting this humiliating and unjust proposition? Better, far better let those from whom it comes do their worst than allow herself to be entrap- ped into an endorsement of an outrage so gross as the ono we arc contempla- ting.
 The South must look for her saliva ton from some other quarter than the present radical Congress. They intend no good for her people, and if any should result to them it will be by mis- take, and they will correct it the very first opportunity that is offered Their object is to bind them hand and foot. This they have the power to do, but they have not the power to make them say what has been done is right, and meets with their appreciation. Instead of hurrying to accept what is now of fered, let the South consider well be- fore she acts, and rather regard the counsel of that great and good man, A. H. Stephens, than that of those who from fear of loosing all, are anxious to take the mite which is proflered.-- Better loose all for principle than take this poor pittance as bribe.-[ Louis villa Couriar t