Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-06-22
New ORLEANS, La, June 8, 1867.

j. M G. Parker, Esq: ..-.
Ny DEAR SIR Your esteemed favor of
the 10th ultimo was duly received. l was
much pleased to have the opportunity to
hear Senator Wilson, and was agreeably sur
prised to meet such fairness and frankness
in politician whom have been taught to
believe uncompromisingly opposed to the
white people of the South.
have maturely considered your sugges-
tion to wisely unite in efforts to restore
Louisiana to her former position in the Union
through the party in power" My letter of
the 9th of April, to which you refer, clearly
indicates desire for practical reconstruc-
tion and reconciliation. Practical men can
surely distinguish between practical recon-
struction and reconstruction as an abstract
question. will endeavor, however, with
renewed energy, to meet your wishes in the
matter. The serious difficulty apprehend
is the want of that wisdom which is neces-
sary for the great work. / shall be. happy
to work in any harness that promises relief
to our distressed people and harmony to the
nation. 1t matters not whether l bear the
mantle of Mr. Davis or the mantle of Mr..
Sumner, so that may help to bring the
glory of "peace and goodwill toward men,
] shall set out by assuming proposition,
that hold to be selfevident, viz: The high
est of human laws is the lazy that is estab-
lished by appeal to arms.
The great principles that divided politi
cal parties prior to the war were thoroughly
discussed by our wisest statesmen. When
argument was exhausted resort was had to
compromise. When compromising was un-
| availing, discussion was renewed, and expe-
dients were sought, but none could be found
| to suit the emergency. Appeal was finally
made to the sword to determine which OF
the claims was the construction of constitu.
tional law. Thesword has decided in favor
of the North, and what they claimed as
principles cease to be principles, and are be-
come law. The views that we hold cease to
be principles because they are opposed to
law. 1t is therefore our duty to abandon
ideas that are obsolete and conform to the
requirements of law.
| The military bill and amendments are
peace offerings We should accept them as
such, and place ourselves upon them as the
starting point from which to meet future
political issues as they arise. ...r
Like other Southern men, l naturally
sought alliance with the Democratic party
merely because it was opposed to the Re
publican party. But as far as l can judge
there is nothing tangible about it, excep
the issues that were staked upon the war
and there lost. Finding nothing 10 TAX
hold of except prejudiee, which cannot b
worked into good for any one, it is prope
and right that | should seek some stand
point from which good may be done.
If appreciate the principles of the Dem
ocratic party, its prominent features oppos
the enfranchisement of the colored man, ant
deny the right to legislate upon the subjec
OF suffrage, except by the States individually
These two features have tendency to ex
clude Southern men from that party, for tn
colored man is already enfranchised here
and we canuot seek alliance with part
that would restrict his rights. The exclu
sive right of the States 10 legislate upo
suffrage will make the enfranchisement OF til
blacks, whether for better or for worse,
fixture amongst Us. 1t appears, therefore
that those who cry loudest against this ne'
order of things as public calamity ar
those whose principles would fix 1t upon
without remedy. Hence it becomes us 2
insist that suffrage should be extended !
) all the States, and fully tested. The peopl
of the North should adopt what they hav
forced upon US ana If 1t be proved to be
mistake, they should remove 1t by the rems
dy under republican principles OF uniforr
laws upon suffrage.
I If every man in the country win meet th