The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-06-20

will retain power for many years to come?
II you accept, shall be glad 10 hear
your views on the condition of public af-
fairs Respectfully yours, etc,
JOHN NJ G. PARKER.
NEW ORLEANS, La, June 3.
j NJ G.. Parker, Esq:
Mr. DEAR SIR: Your esteemed favor
of the 18Th ult., was duly received. l
was much pleased to have the opportuni
ty to hear Senator Wilson, and was
agreeably surprised to meet such fair
ness and frankness in n politician whom
1 have been taught to believe uncompro
misingly opposed to the white people OF
the South.
have maturely considered your sug
gestion to ''wisely unite in efforts to re-
store Louisiana to her former position in
the Union, through the party now in
power" My letter OF the 9th of April,
to which you refer, clearly indicates
desire for practical reconstruction and
reconciliation Practical men can sure
ly distinguish between practical recon
struction and reconstruction as an alb
stract question. Twill endeavor, how
ever, with renewed energy. to meet your
wishes in the matter. The serious diffi
Guilty that apprehend is the want of
that wisdom which is necessary for the
great work. shall be happy to work in
any harness that promises relief to our
distressed people and harmony to the ma.
ton 1t matters not whether bear the
mantle of Mr. Davis or the mantle of
Mr. Sumner, so that l may help to bring
the glory of 'peacc and good will to-
ward men,"
l shall set out by assuming proposi-
tion that hold to be self evident, viz:
'.The highest of human laws is the law
that is established by appeal to arms.
The grea. principles that divided poll
tcal parties prior to the war were tho
rougly discussed by our wisest States
men. When argument was exhausted,
resort was had to compromise. When
compromise was unavailing, discussion
was renewed, and expedients 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 true construction
of constitutional law. The sword las
decided in favor Of the North, and what
they claim IS principles cease to be prin-
ciples, and are become law. The views
that we hold cease to be principles be
cause they are opposed to law. 1t is
therefore our duty to abandon ideas that
are obsolete and coz form to the require
ments 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.
Like other Southern men, naturally
sought alliance with the Democratic par
ty, merely because it was opposed to the
Republican party. But as far as can
Judge, there is nothing tangible about
it, except the issues that we're staked
upon the war and there lost Finding
nothing to take hold of except prejudice,
which cannot be worked into good for
any one, it is proper and right that
should seek some stand point from which
good may be done
If appreciate the principles of the
Democratic party, its prominent features
oppose the enfranchisement of the col
ored man, and deny the right to legislate
upon the subject OF suffrage except by
the States individually. These two fea
lures have tendency to exclude South
ern men from that party; for the color
ed man is already enfranchised here, and
We cannot seek alliance with party that
would restrict his rights. The exclu
sive right of the States to iegislate up
on suffrage will make the enfranchise-
ment Of the blacks, whether for better
or for worse, . fixture amongst us. It
appears, therefore, that those rho cry