The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-06-20

son, a distinguished leader in the
Republican party, will address the
citizens of New Orleans.
AS soldiers, we were opposed to
each other during the late war, but
as citizens may we not wisely unite
in efforts to restore Louisiana to her
former position in the Union through
the party now in power, and which
in all probability will retain power
for many years to come? If you
accept, shall be glad to hear your
views on the condition ofpublic af-
fairs. Respectfully yours, ETC.,
JOHN M. c. PARKER
NEW ORLEANS, June 3, 1867.
J. NJ. c.. Parker, ESQ.,:
My DEAR SIR-Your esteemed fa-
vor of the 18th ultimo was duly re-
ceived. / was much pleased to have
the opportunity to hear Senator Will
son, and was agreeably surprised
to meet such fairness and frankness
in a politician whom [ have been
taught to believe uncomproisingly
opposed to the white people of the
South
I have maturely considered your
suggestion to wisely unite in efforts
to restore 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 practi
cal reconstruction and reconcilia-
ton. Practical men eau surely dis
tinguish between practical recon
struction, and reconstruction, as an
abstract question. I will endeayor,
however, with renewed energy, to
meet your wishes in the Natter
The serious difficulty that appre-
hend is the want of that wisdom
which is necessary for the great
work. l shall be happy to work in
any harness that promises relief to
our distressed people and. harmony
to the nation. 1t matters not wheth-
er I bear the mantle of Mr.. Davis
or the mantle of Mr.. Sumner. so that
l may help to bring the glory of
''peace and good will toward men,"
shall set out by assuming prop
osition, that / hold to be self-evident,
viz. The highest of human laws
is the law that is established by ap-
peal to arms.
The great principles that divided
political parties prior to the war
were thoroughly discussed by our
wisest statesmen. When compro-
mise 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 deter
mine which Of the claims was the
t true construction Of constitutional
law. The sword has decided in ia
vor of the North, and what they
claimed as principles ceased to be
principles, and are become law
1t is therefore etucasy to abandon
ideas that are absolete, and conform
! to the requirements of law.
The Military act, and amend
ments, 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 us they
rise.
Like other Southern men, l natu-
rally sought alliance with the Dem
ocratic party, merely because it was
opposed to the Republican party
But as far as l can judge, there is
nothing tangible about it, except the
1 issues that were stakcd upon the
war and there lost. Finding nothing
to take hold Of except prejudice
which can not be worked into gooC
for any one, it is proper and righ
that / should seek some standpoint
from which good may be done.
If I appreciate the principles Of
the Democratic party, its prominen
features oppose the enfranchisemen
of the colored man, and deny th.
right to legislate upon the subject o
suffrage, except by the States indi
vidually. These two features have
a tendency to exclude Southern mel
from that party for the colored mar
is already enfranchised here, and WI
can not seek alliance with a party
that would restrict his rights. The
exclusive right Of the States to leg
fislate upon suffrage will make the
enfranchisement of the blacks
whether for better or for worse, s
fixture among us. 1t appears, there
I fore, that those who cry loudes
against this new order of things as
a public calamity, are those whos'
principles would fix it upon us will
out remedy. Hence it becomes III
/ to insist that suffrage should be ex
tended in all the States, and fully
tested. The people of the Nortl
should adopt what they have force(
upon us and if it be proved to be
mistake, they should remove it b,
the remedy, under republican prin
ciples, of uniform laws upon suffrage
If every man in the country viii
meet the crisis with proper ap
probation Of our condition, and
come fairly up to his responsible
ties, on tomorrow the sun will smil
upon happy people, our fields vii
again begin to yield their increase
our railroads and rivers will teer
with abundantcommerce, our town
: and our cities will resound with th
tulnult Of trade, and we shall be in
vigorated by the blessings of Al
mighty God. ! am, sir, very res
: pectfnlly,
: Your most obedient servant,
o JAMES LoNGsTREET.
The New Orleans Times havin
criticised the above letter, the Ger
& oral writaS Ia tho 9'jlnoc in iue+ ri n.