The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-03-13
Black Clouds in the Southern SKI.
from the New York Times, 25th.l

From the New York Times, 25thl
One reason which led many persons to
tolerate the passage Of the reconstruction
bill, who disapprove wholly Of its princi.
pies, was the apprehension that the longer
the subject is left open the more severe and
intolerant will be the terms upon the
South. This was urged last year Us req.
son why the South should accept the Con-
Estitutional Amendment, but it was secuted
by the Southern States, under the advice
OF their pretended political friends at the
North; They were advised by the World
and other Democratic journals not to &C.
cept the amendment, and were assured that
neither negro suffrage nor any other terms
severer than the Constitutional Amend
ment could or would be proposed.
We have seen the result Of that expert
ment. The Southern States, with very
great unanimity, rejected the amendment,
/ and now they have got that, with universal
negro suffrage and partial white disfran-
chisement, and military government to
back them up, as substitute for it. And
Reverdy johnson, q stannch Democrat and
a Southern man, voted for this bin under
the apprehension that, ifsome final action
is not now takeu, something still worse
will be forced upon the country and the
South.
II may be we'll enough 70 state that
these apptehehsfons are not wholly without
foundation. It Is very well understood
that bills are in course Of preparation for
early introduction into the next Congress,
providing for q sweeping confscation Of
rebel property in the Southern States, and
for its distribution among the enfranchised
slaves, for paying claims.of loyal men for
property destroyed during the Mar, and for
giving farms to Northern soldiers who will
settle in fhe South. Mr.. Stevens has de-
clared his purpose, "God willing and be
living" to press such measure as this
upon Congress, and Gen. Banks in debate
declared himselfin favor Of such distribu-
ton Of Southern. farms among Northern
soldiers DIS the only efectdal mode of re-
constructing Southern society. It may
safely be assumed that the whole body Of
Radicals III Congress will 20 for such .
measure; and ii is confidently expected
that the rejection BY the South Of the new
terms nov proposed will create fresh feel
ing Of resentment which will give it popn-
larity and strength throughout the North,
The measure itself has elements OF attrac-
ton for many classes, and is expected to-
secure the support ofthe soldiers in body.
It may be- supposed that the Supreme
Court will present final barrier against
the ultimate success Of such . project. =
But it must be remembered that fosr menu
bers Of that Court out Of nine would now,
beyond all doubt, indorse such measure !;
and that, ofthe foe who would oppose II,
one if not two viii probably never agnin s't
on the bench in consequence OF extreme
age and illness. A Law was passed, more
over, at the last session, which declares
that in case Of the death Of a Supreme
Court Judge. tho vacancy shal! not be ill|e =
until the Whole number OF Judges shall
have been reduced by death or otherwisslo
serea, The chances are, therefore, tlas
within the next year the Supreme Court O.
the United States will be as thoroughly III
the hands Of the Radicals as Congress Is.
Senator Johnsons misgivings, therefore,
would seem to have very substanl,al
foundation in the probabilities OF the
future.