The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-06-12
Ultrais;na.
$ VICTIMS. DESIGNS AND REPRESENTATIONS

"A
we have heretofore stated it as o6pion that
the present anomalous status Of the excluded States
he unfortunate result Of political difference be-
tween the executive and legislative departments OF the
Government The South is the victim of a misunder
standing between the President and Congress. We
reuur to the opinion again, because we believe it is
correct conclusion and has not received yet the
sanction of the popular Judgment, notwithstanding
cumulative proof furnished by subsequent and recent
events There was, after the surrender of the mill
tary forces Of the South necessary hiatus if may
so express ourselves between the active prosecution
of the war on the part of the Government suppress
the rebellion, and the Inauguration of that peaceful
policy which was to bridge four years of bloody
carnage and inaugurate Of good feeling be-
tween the hostile sections. We know that President
Lincoln had looked forward to this period, and that
he had expressed apprehensons, anxious apprehen-
sons indeed that lie would find it difficult to induce
the seeding States to return promptly and willingly
the Union through representation in Congress and
an active participation in the administration of the
Government. Mr.. johnson was the egatee OF these
apprehensons, and too promptly in the opinion OF
Congress, and without its aid or consent, sought,
through bis policy to restore the States to their nor
NAL relations to the Union Congress considered re-
construction political question entirely under its
control and consequently repudiated the policy of the
Executive. 1t then took jurisdiction of the matter
and submitted the constitutional amendment which
was rejected by the excluded States and hence fol-
lowed the civil rights BILL and the socaed military
bills all passed the veto Of the President and in
ensifying in their progress and passage the original
differences between the dominant party in Congress
and the chief magistrate: When, however, the mill
ary bills had passed the Presidents veto, Con
gress saw that their execution depended on the will
of the President and his military appointees, dis
trusted his sincerity to enforce the laws and hung the
sword of impeachment bis head during the recess
of Congress- and provided for an extra session,
should the threat Of impeachment the sense Of Off
cal duty prevent the execution of the law. The Pres
ident the situation. He at once appointed off
GERS for the different States to administer the military
bills. The people the situation and accepted those
bills, with view to a restoration to their constitu-
tional relations to the Union. Boards of registry
were organised whites and blacks began to register
in compliance with the law but ultra radicalsm is not
satisfied that the law is obeyed 1t seeks to mission
ate the South ana convert ana commit the backS TO
the interests and commands of the ultra section of the
party. Stevens breahes mild confscation, while
Wilson and Kelley, younger men, become the eloquent
apostles to the lost tribes o. the South They have
different fates-Wson returns to the North without
having created riot and declares that free speech
the right of every man in the South Kelley creates ri
ct, and returns bleeding victim of Southern and rebel
lious hate. 1t would seem that this fuel enough
for political purpose but not SO in the opinion of
factious parsahs The military authorities, charged
with the execution of the law said to be fae to
their duty, because forsootls they will not be made
the willing tools of party because they simply de-
sire to enforce the laws and will not play the part OF
political missionaries. We have a singular instance
of this party rancour and fault finding in the radical
paper of New Orleans, which, on the day that Gen
Sheridan elegraphs Gen. Grant Of the peaceful and
satisfactory results of registry throughout the State
dstorts facts to make political capital and makes
presentations untrue to our own knowledge to this
section in order to dscredtt the statement of Gen.
Sheridan to misrepresent public officials and 10 talsy
the public sentiment and the public conduct of the
people of the State We hope Gen. Sheridan will see
that we are not abused by such false accusations