Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-07-13
A L

General L~cNGSTREET, in the letter on
reconstruction wherein he assume the
ground that the Southern people ought
cheerfully and promptly to do whatever
Congress demands, in the way Of repu-
dating their ancient political faith,
cursing the country with negro suffrage,
and DISTINGUISHING those among them
VINO have deserved best Of that country,
enuncistes these extraordinary propo-
sitions
a. shall set out by assuming 8 propo-
sition that I bold 20 be ~self-evident, viz:
The highest human law is the law that
is established by appeal 10 arms.
"The great principles that divided
poIitiesi parties prior 10 the war were
thoroughly discussed BY our wisest
statesmen. When argument was ex-
hausted resort was had to compromise.
WheB compromise was u~navaiiing, dis
cussiOn was renewed, and eXpedleuS
were sought, but none could be found 70
suit the emergency. Appeal was nualE
made 10 the sword, to determine whieh
OF the claims was the Tue construction
OF constitutional law. The sword has
decided in favor Of the north, and what
they claimed as principles cease TO be
principles and are become law. The
views that we hold cease 70 be principles
because they sre opposed 70 law. Il Is
therefore our duty 20 abandon ideas that
are obsolete and conform TO the require
ments Of law
The frs. proposition stated by General
IoNGsrREET must be msde much more
definite aRd precise, before It can be sd-
mitted to be ~self-evident, or that it can
be demonstrated to be true. What does
be mean by the word " highest" as ap-
piled 20 human law Perhaps the law
established By appeal to arms" if that
means the law enacted and imposed on
the vanquished by the despotic will Of
the Conqueror, may properly enough be
called the most graNiicaL or even the
most absolute law, because it is that
which the master imposes on the slave,
the viii Of the slave in no wise consent
ing, and the Law being wholly independ-
ent OF his consent. But with what res-
son ear that be called the highest law
On the contrary, the highest law, in
the true sense Of that word, is that whose
foundation is the imnstsble principles
Of eternal justice. Such is the law Of
GoD, which is not the law, Saint
THOMAS AoUISAs says, because He wills
il; but He wills IL because it is just. In
other words, it Is the highest law, be-
cause Il is not the mere arbitrary enact
ment Of Omnipotent will, but the axioms
OF infinite wisdom.
The highest law Is between States, OF
that binds one State 70 obedience to an
other, is hat which is founded on sol
eun compact between them, and is
guaranteed by the sacred faith Of each.
A human law a. have no higher sane
ton. The law which power imposes on
weakness. TIE yicbog 90 the v~anqUished,
Is not obligatory on the latter. Il Gre
ates no allegiance. He has the right 20
rebel and throw ltOf whenever be can.
The notion to which General LoNG-
sFREsFunfortunafely lends the weigh;
Of his name, is simply this,-that if the
claim Of 3 minority, or Of the weaker
States IN 3 Confederation, to the c~lesrest
possible rights stipulated by a written
constitution or solemn compact become
Troublesome to the majority or 10 the
stronger States, TIE stronger may resort
Z force, as srbiser Of the question Of
right and, oyercaming the weaker, it or
ehey thereby annibilste the clssr rights
Of the minority or the weaker, TIE prin-
ciplesoi the Conqueror become the high
est possible law, ana those OF the latter
become so obsolets that II is their duty
70 abandon them! Is General Long
STREET sane 2 a.,
ThApajOrity and minority, the stron-
ger and weaker States, disagree to the
meaning Of The compact that unites
Them The e~onstrsction giveh i by the
minority or the feebler is true; that
givsa it By fhs smsjoriw or stronger is
fslse. The latter, determined &c enforce
IL omarnction and rob The feebler OF its
~iohts makes war upon and eonquersi It.
Tbe truth thereby becomes a lie; the
esunaof no oager neNn4 what 4 meant
ssso5s and f is q dugso the con-.
Susred 10 seeeptthe g~pripeples Of the
e-1o,sror a. TIE highest law. such is.
~ snion Of Genersl IoNgsEREEr!
N.,tber would that notion be any
eet. II it were limited 70 the
- ste canqusloT 70 enact 3 RsW