Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-06-13
NEW ORLEANS, LA, June 3.


j. W. q. Parker, Esq:
MY DEAR SIR-YOur esteemed favor
of the 10th ult. was duly received. was
much pleased to have the opportunity to
hear Senator Wilson, and was agreeably |
surprised to meetSuch fairness and frank
ness i'm politician whom L have been
taught to believe uncompromisingly OPP
posed to the white people of the South.
! have maturely considered your sug-
gestion to "wisely unite in efforts to re-
store Louisiana to her former position in
the Union, through the party now in
power.n My letter of the 9th of April,
TO which you refer, clearly indicates de-
sire for practical reconstruction and re-
Cancellation. Practical men can surely
distinguish between practical reconstruc-
tion and reconstruction as an abstract
question. Iwillendeavor, 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 great work. L
shall be happy to work in any harness
that promises relief to our distressed peo-
pie and harmony to the nation. 1t mat
| ters 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 good will towards men,"
1 shall set out by assuming PROPOSE
ton that 1 hold to be self-evident, viz:
The highest of human laws is the law
that is established by appeal to arms.
The great principles that divided politi-
cal parties prior to the war were thor
oughly discussed by ourwisest statesmen.
When argument was exhausted, resort
was had to compromise. When comprO-
mise was unavailing, discussion was re-
newed, and expedients were sought but
none could be found to suit the emergen-
cy. Appeal was finally made to the
sword, to determine which of the claims
was the true construction of constitutions
al law. The sword has decided in favor
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 rs such, and place ourselves upon
them as the starting point from which
to meet future political issues as they
arise.
Like other Southern men, naturally
sought alliance with the Democratic par
ty, merely because it. was opposed to the
: Republican party. But rs far rs / can
, Judge, there Is nothing tangible about 1t
+ except the issues that were staked upor
4 the war and there lost. Finding nothing
l to take hold of except prejudice, whicl
= cannot be worked into good for any one
r it is proper and right that l should seel
+, some stand point from which good may
be done.
= III appreciate the principles of tn
J, Democratic party, its prominent feature
4 oppose the enfranchisement of the color
ed man, and deny the right to legislat
Il upon the subject of suffrage except b.
t the State individually. These two feu
If lures have tendency to exclude South
i ern men from that party; for the colore
: man is already enfranchised here, and W
: cannot seek alliance with party tina
q would restrict his rights. The exclusiv
/ right of the States to legislate upon SUI
V the blacks, whether for better or fo
worse, q fixture amongst us. 1t appears
o therefore, that those who cry loudes
3, against this new order of things as a pull
n lie calamity are those whose principle
- would fix It upon us without remed.
d Hence il becomes us to insist that su
d frage should be extended in all of til
l. States, and fully tested. The people I
: the North should adopt what they hay
h forced upon us; and If 1t be proved to
Y mistake, they should remove 1t by tf
" remedy under republican principles
,r uniform laws upon suffrage.
,f If every man In the country will met
,f the crisis with a proper appreciation
u our condition, and come fairly up to h
Ie responsibilities, on tomorrow the su
n viii smile upon happy people, ourfeld
d will again begin to yield their increa'
10 our railroads and rivers will TEEN wit
,e abundant commerce, our towns and clti
II will resound with the tumult of trad
d and we shall be invigorated by the bles
i,,,,a, % A Ip,iuhty Gnt