Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-06-20
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Observation-Disclosures Letter
from Eicut-Gcn. LOngstreet
He Tnites with tnc Repub-
iiCan Party I'm the Great
Work of ReConsfructiOn

NEw ORLEANS, May IG, lS67.-General
James LOngstreet: GCnerOi-In your ad-
m;rable letter of the 9th untimo you remark
that "Our efforts at reconstruction will be
vain and useless unless we embark in the
enterprise with the sincerity of purpose
which command success The spirit
which inspired the above paragraph. to-
getler with the fact that thousands ofbTave
soldiers are still ready TO follow their lead
er wherever he may sec fit to call them,
has emboldened me to extend to You an
invitation to attend mass meeting on La
fayet'e square to- o-morrow evening, at which
the Hon. Henry Wilson, distinguished
leaderin 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 prob
ability Will retain power for many years
to come: If you accept, | shall be glad to
hear your views on the condition OF public
affairs. Respectfully yours, etc,
JoHN NJ PARKER.
NEW ORLEANS, La. June 3, lSG7.-J. W.
G.. PARKER. esq.: M Deer .Sir--Your
received was much pleased to have the
opportunity TO hear Senator Wilson, and
was agreeably surprised to meet such fair
ness and frankness in politician whom
have been taught to believe uncpmprOmis-
iDgly opposed to the white people of the
South. / have maturely considered your
suggestion to wisely unite in efforts to re-
store Louisiana to her former position in
the Union. through the party now in pow
er." My letter of the 9th of April to which
You refer, clearly indicates a desire for
practical reconstruction and reconciliation.
Practical men can surely distinguish be-
tween practical reconstruction and recon
structiOn as an abstract question. | will
endeavOr, however, with renewed energy,
to- meet your wishes in the matter. The
serious difficulty that apprehend is the
want of that wisdom which is necessary
for the great work. I shall be happy to
work in any harness that promises reliefto
our distressed people and harmony to the
nation. 1t matters not whether bear the
mantle of Mr.. Davis or the mantle Of Mr..
Sumner, so that / may help to bring the
glory Of peace and good will toward men.
shall set out by assuming proposition
that hold To be self evident, viz: The
highest OF human laws is the law that Is es
tablished by the appeal to- arms. The
great principles that divided political par
ties prior TO the war were thoroughly dis
! cusscd by our wisest statesmen. Wher
argument was exhausted resort was had Il
compromise. When compromise was un
availiIg, discussion was renewed and ex
; pedients were sought, but none could b,
: found to suit the emergency. Appeal wa
, finally made to the sword, to deternin,
which Ofthe claims was the true construction
of constitutional law. Tie sword has de
cided IN favor of the North, and what the,
claimed as principles ceased to be princi
piles, and are become law. The view stha
we hold cease to be principles becau they
are opposed to law. 1t is therefore our du
ty to abandon ideas that are obsolete ant
conform TO the requirements of law. Tn,
; Military bill and amendments are peac
offerings. We should accept them as sucl
and place ourselves upon them as tn
starting point from which to meet futur
political issues as they arise. Like othe
southern men, naturally sought alliance
with the Democratic party, merely becaus
it was opposed to the Republican party
: But as far as / can judge, there is nothing
tangible about it. except the issues tha
\ were staked upon the war and there lost
$ Finding nothing to take hold of save pref
udioe, which cannot be worked into goo'
for any one, it is proper and right that
should seek some standpoint from whicl
! good may be done. If appreciate th
principles of the Democratic party. II
prominent features oppose the enfranchise
ment Of the colored man, and deny tn
right to legislate upon the subject of suf
a frage, except by the States, individually
These two features have tendency to ex
|. clude southern men from that party: for th
colored man is already exfranchised here