Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-06-18
Letter from Central LOnggtreet.

NV ORLEANS, La, June 5, 1867.
j. IL. G. Parhers Esq,
Ny DEAR SIR-Your esteemed favor of
the 18th ult., was duly received. l was
much pleased to have the opportunity to hear
Senator Wilson, and was agreeably surprised
to meet such fairness and frankness in poilti-
clan whom 1 have been taught to believe
uncompromisingFy opposed to the white people
of the South.
/ have maturely considered your suggestion
to''wisely unite in efforts to restoreLousiana 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
a desire for practical reconstruction and recon>
citation. Practical men can surely distiu-
guish between practical reconstruction and
reconstruction 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
l shall be happy to work in any harness that
promises relief to our distressed people and
harmony to the nation. 1t matters not
whether l bear the mantle of Mr.. Davis or
the mantle of Mr.. Sumner, so that may help
to bring the glory OF peace and goodwill
toward men,
shall set out by assuming a proposition,
that L hold to be self evident, viz: The
highest of human laws is the law that Is cstab-
lished by appeal to arms. The great priuci-
pies that divided political parties prior to the
war were thoroughly discussed by our wisCst
statesmen. When argument was exhausted
resort was had to compromise. When COM
promise was uuavailing, discussion was re-
newed, and cxpcdicnts were sought, but none
could be found to suit the emergency. APP
peal was fually made to the sword, to deter
mine which Of the claims was the true con
structiOn of constitutional law. The sword has
decided in favorNof the North, and what they
claimed as principles, cease to be principles.
and are become law. The views that We hold
cease to be principles because they are opposed
to law. 1t is. therefore our duty to abandon
ideas that are obsolete and conform to the
requirements Of law. The military bill, and
amendments, are peace offerings. We should
accept them as such, and place ourselves upon
them the starting point from which TO
meet future political Issues as they arise.
Like other Southern men, naturally sought
alliance with the Democratic party. merely
because it was opposed 20 the republican party
But Us far as l can judge, there Is nothing
tangible about it, except the issues that were
staked upon the war and there lost. Finding
nothing to take hold Of except prejudice,
which cannot be worked into good for a1y
one, it is proper and right that should seek
some stand point from which good may be
done.
If | appreciate the principles Of the Demo
cratic party, its prominent features oppose
the enfranchisemcut of the colUred man, and
deny the right to legisIatc upon the subject.
ofsuIragc, except By the States individually.
These two features, have tendency to exclude
Southern men from that party lsE the coored
man is already cniranchised here, and We can
not seek alliance with party that would re-
strict his rights. The exclusive right Of the
States to lc@islate upon suffrage will make
the Acknowledgement Of the blacks, whether
for better or for worse. fixture amongst Us.
1t appears, therefore, that those who cry loud
est against this new order Of thingsasa public
calamity those whose principles would fix
it upon US without Il remedy. Hence IL be-
comes Us to insist that suffrage should be
extended in all Of the States, and fully tested.
| The people Of the North should adopt what
they have forced upon Us; and if it be proved
to be mistake, they should remove it by
the remedy under republican principles OF
uniform laws upon suffrage.
If every man IN the country viii meet the
crisis with proper appreciation Of our con-
dition, and come fairly up to his responsible
tiles, on tomorrow the sun viii smile upon
happy people, our fields will again begin 70
yield their increase, our railroads and rivers
viii TEEN with abundant commerce, our towns
and cities will resound with the tumult Of
trade, and we shall be inVigOratod by the bless
ings of Almighty God.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
JAMES LONGsTREET.