Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-03-22


stitution as administered by the United States,
as we now verify their assertion; we prove
they were, in truth and in fact, fighting for
their liberty, and instead of branding their
leaders with the dishonoriag name Of traitor
agsin't righteous and legal government
we elevate them in the history Of self-sacra-
fcing patriots, consccrate them to the admi-
ration of the world and place them by the
sideef Washington, Hampden and Sidney.
We reproduce the above from the
Presidents Veto of the Military Bill,
because it is an admission, reluctant.
ly made, that generous, brave and
patriotic people were forced, in self
defense, and by seif-respect, to resist
the usurpations of treacherous and
lawless faction /; because it is an anti
cipation of the verdict of posterity
and because, coming from one bitterly
hostile to the "lost cause" il should
be powerful incentive to the South
to take no step that can cast stigma
upon fame so nobly won, and SO
clearly conceded by determined foe.
Already the condemnation, so hastily
pronounced against the South, by TO-
reign powers, is being reversed, and
every ctof oppressioa perpetrated by
the Radicals; every ignoble senti-
ment uttered by their leaders, is an
additional vindicatioa of our cause
against judgment predicated upon
the we'll acted hypocricy and ingeni.
Gus falsehoods Of Puritan tyrants.-
Every day, they are vindicating the
'lost cause" and the South has only
to stand firm in order to stand high
above its oppressors on the page OF
history.
And why should the South reccde
from its proud position ? There is
nothing, save dishonor, to be gained
by it. The Military bill is not the
ultimatum, but simply one step far
ther towards the deeper degradation
of the South and the perpetuity Of
Radical power. And they who hope
by farther submission. to escape great
er ills hereafter, are themselves de-.
ceived, or have some selfish motives
for deceiving others. Military rule
is great curse, but all the dishonor
that attaches to it, lies at the door OF
the despots who force it upon an:un-
resisting people. But great as is the
curse of such government, is any
one prepared to prove it worse than
government of ignorant negroes
and fendish southern Radicals p
This is the condition to which the
South will be brought by an accept.
ance of the proposition, but its dis
grace will be increased intellectually
by consenting to the disfranchisement
of its truest and noblest sons. Its
gain, by such sacrafce, will be me-
gro and Radical domination, and,
possibly, representation in Congress
composed of the worst specimens Of
this heterogeneous mass of ignorance
and vice, treachery and avarice. And
this degraded condition will be per.
sistently heralded to the world as the
free choice of the people of the
South.
But it may be argued that this state
of things will be forced upon the
South, by the military government
and therefore, it may subserve some
good purpose to accept what is inev
table. This is like justifying suicide
on the ground that all must die
But even if the evil be unavoidable
where is the advantage in inviting it
If forced upon the South, no disgrace
attaches to the party wronged, but i
will stick, like pitch, to all who ad
wise, or consent to, its voluntary &C
ceptance. The policy for the South i
J to do nothing in reference to this sub
ject. 10 maintain a firm and digni
fed attitude, avoiding everything
calculated to invite military interfer
ence and, by its upright department
shame the tyrants who. will be oul.
too we'll pleased to find seeming
justification for their dirty work il
slightest indiscretion committed by
the subjects of their intended perse
cution. Let the South remember
} that no true hearted patriot woulc
consent to be the tool of tyrants, ant
keeping this fact in view, the people
will kow better how to dcport them
selves towards the military satrapi
who are to rule over them.
Though prevented from securing
to their posterity the blessings o
liberty aud independence, the people
of the South have it still in thei
mower 10 transmit an nntarnisheI