The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-06-21
Letter from Gen. Longstrset..

Letter from Gen. Longstrset..-~
We find tho following sensible letter from
the rebel General Longs,rect: ,
New ORLEANS, La, Juno 3 1867. =
J. M. @. Prl1. Esq:
NV Dear Sir.-Your esteemed favor Of
the 18th ult. was duly received. ! was
much pleased to have the opportunity to
hear Senator Wilson, and WIS agreeably
surprised TO meet suclI fairness and frank.
ncss in q politician whom / havo been
taught To believe uncompromisngly OPP
posed 70 the white people OF the South.
] have n,aturely considered your sug-
gcstion to "wiscly unto in efforts to restore
Louisiana TO her former position in the I'm.
ion, through ti,s party now In power.
My letter OF the 9th Of April. TO which you
refer, clearly indicates desire for practical
reconstruction and reconciliation. Pncii.
cal men can surely distinguish between
practical reconstruction andsreconstructioi
~ an abstract question. ] will ondeavor.
however, with renewed energy, TO meet
your wishes in the matter. The serious
difficulty that ! npprehend Is the want OF
that wisdom which 10 necessary for the
great work. lshall he happy to work In
any harness that promises relief 10 our dis
ircssed people, and harmony to the nation.
u matters not whether hear the mantle 0f
Mr.. Davis or tho mantle &C Or. SumneT, 80
that I may help to bring the glory Of ''Peace
and good will toward men,"
I shall set out by assuming proposition,
that I hold to 10 self evident, viz: Tho
highest Of human laws 10 the law that is
established by appeal TO arins. The great
principles that divided political parties pri
or to the war were thoroughly discussed
by our wisest statesmen. When argument
WINS exhausted resort was had To compro-
mise. When compromise was unavailing,
discussion was renewed, and expcdients
were sought, but mono could be found to
suit the emergency. Appeal was finally
made to the sword, TO determine which Ot
the claims was the true construction OF the
constitutional law. Tho sword has dccid.
ell in favor Of the North, and what they
claimed rs principles cease to he principles,
and arc become law. The views that we
hold cease to be principles because they
are opposed to law. Il 10 therefore our du.
~ TO abandon ideas that arc obsolete and
conform to the requirement. Of law.
The military bill, and amendments, are
peace offerings. We should accept them
as such, and place ourselves upon them q,
the starting point from which to meet fi'
turc political issues rs they arise.
Like other southern inen. ] naturally
sought alliance with the democratic Imrty
But Us Gar rs I Gun Judge, there Is nothing
tangible about u, except the issues thaI
were stake,l upon the war and there lost
Finding nothing to take hold of except
prejudice, which cannot be worked into
good for any one, il 10 proper and right that
should seek some stand point from which
good may be done. .......
Ill appreciate the principles ofthe dem
ocra,ic party, It's prominent features oppose
the enfiunchisement Of tho colored man,
and deny the right to legislate upon the
subject ofsuffnge, except by the States IN
divi,lually. These two features have ten
dency to exclude southern men from that
party for the colored man ID already en-.
iranchised here, and We cannot seek alliance
WIN purity tuul WOuiu iVpuNb i've iSbeSS
The exclusive right ofihe States TO legis.
late upon suffrage will make the enffanchis.
ment of the blacks, whether for better OF
for worse, q fixture amongst us. IL appears,
that who cry loudest aguinst this
new order Of things Ms a public calamity
are those whose principles would Ok il upon
,,s without remedy. Hence 1t becomes US
to insist that suffrage should DO extended in
all ofthe Suites, and fully tested. The peo.
ple Of the North should adopt what they
have forced upon Us and lit be proved .
mistake, they should remove il by the rem
edy under republican principles Of uni
form laws upon suffrage. sHr
lfevery man in tho country will meet
the crisis with proper appreciation Of our
condition, and come fairly up to his resPon-
on tomorrow the sun will smile
upon happy people, our fields will again
begin 10 yield their increase, our railroads
aud rivers will teen with abundant com.
rncrcc, our towns and cities will resound
with the tumult of tnde, mud we shull be
invigoruicd by the blessings Of Almighty
God. ........
am, sir, very respectfully.
.F" Your most Obetiicnt servant,
JAMES LoSosrREgT.