The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-20
Black Clouds in the Southern Skv.

DlacK ClouNS II the southern Sky.
Firm the New York Times 25th1
One which led many persons to tolerate the
passage of the reconstruction bill who disapprove
wholly OF its principles, the apprehension that
the longer the subject is left open the more
severe and intolerant will be the terms upon the
South. This was urged last year reason why the
South should accept the constitutional amendment,
but it was secuted by the Southern States under the
advice of their pretended political friends at the North
They were advised by the World and other Demo-
cratic journals not to accept the amendment and
assured that neither negro suffrage nor any other
terms severer than the constitutional amendment
could or would be proposed.
We have the result of the experiment. The
Southern States with very great u1animty rejected
the amendment, and now they have got that, with
universal suffrage and partial white distanchsement
and military government to back them up, as a sub
sttute for it. And Reverdy Johnson, staunch Dem
ocat and Southern man, voted for this bill under the
apprehension that, if final action is not now
taken, something still will be forced upon the
country and the South.
1t may be well enough to state that these apprehen
sions not wholly without foundation. 1t is very
we'll understood that bills are in course of preparation
for early Introduction into the next Congress- provd-
ing for sweeping coniscation of rebel property in
the Southern States, and for its distribution among
the enranchised slaves, for paying claims of loyal
men for property destroyed during the war, and for
giving farms to Northern soldiers who will settle in
the South. Mr.. Stevens has declared his purpose,
God willing and he living" press such measure
as this upon Congress, and Gen Banks in debate de-
cared himself in favor Of such distribution of South
ern farms among Northern soldiers the only effect
ual mode of reconstructng Southern society. 1t may
safely be assumed that the whole body of Radicals in
Congress will go for such measure and it is conf
IDENTITY expected that the rejection by the South of the
new terms now proposed will create fresh feeling Of
resentment which will give it popularity aud strength
he u,auc ifcplf has
ments of attraction for many classes and is expected
to secure the support of the soldiers in a body.
1t may be supposed that the Supreme Court will
present final barrier against the ultimate success of
such project. But it must be remembered that four
members of that Court out of niue would now, be-
yond all doubt i1lorse such measure and that of
the five who would oppose it, one if not two will
probably never again sit the bench in consequence
OF extreme age and illness. law was passed. more
over, at the last session. which declares that case of
the death of Supreme Court Judge, the vacancy shall
not be filled until the whole number of Judges shall
have been reduced by death Or otherwise to seven.
The chances are, therefore, that within the year
the Supreme Court of the United States will be as
thoroughly in the hands OF the Radicals as Con-
gress is.
Senator Johnson's misgivings therefore, would
seem to have very substantial foundation in the
probabilities of the future.