The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-03-21
MILITARY DESPOTlsM In THE
S0GTFE.
Opinions of the Southern Press.

Below we give the opinions of a num-
Der of the leading jour uals Of the south on
the Military Despotism Bill recently pass
ed by the rumr Congress, and now in op-
Grafton throughout the late rebellious
districts The first is from the Louis
vile Journol, paper that gave Mr.. Lin
coins administration a hearty support:
II is a mistake to suppose that, b! accepting the
military scheme of reconstruction, the southern States
can take part III the next Presid initial election. unless.
indeed, they take part "a slaves Of the radical party. for
ing part A. equal States. And the scheme i etr.cfraHy
adapted to Is purpose it excludes the possibility Of
the free participation OF the sOuthei.. Statcs in the next
hresidential election; is c9nc9ctors would be a set Of
their work III a way. 4 = The South
ern states would have TO vote the radical ticket or not
vote at all. II they should he permitted TO take any
part lii the next Presidential election, this would be
the part.
And this part would manifestly he worse than no
should be left out of view. the immeaslrable sacrifice
OF principle and Of seif-respect. The South cannot aid
IN defeating the radical candidates for the Pr .idency
by accepting the scheme cOncocted for the purpose of
preventing such aid. The notion is absurd and if it
We're NOT, II would still be short sighted a. well as tow
minded. We have no faith in e~xpedients which involve
the surrender of principle. In our Judgment. the only
way in which the South can aid the cause of constitu-
tional liberty il TO stand up firmly by il. and we respect
fully commend the same method to friends Of constitr-
tlonai liberty IN other parts OF the Union. In this cyl
gency.a as in al other e~xigercies devotion to principle
is the highest expediency. To surrender principle in
despair of yindicating il. is craven TO surrender II ~
the means of vindicating il, is senseleSs. We know
the South Is not craven, and We believe she is not
senselcss.
The Montgomery (Alabama) Mail, says:
Let the people be quiet, and let the Governors of the
about for some concerted plan of testil u Immediately
the constitutional validity of this shameful and vindic-
Tyn DRf nj AZ Wa -, ft-EA II fl. =. ,,FT
prove successful, and if so, the country, the C0nstiiu-
ton, liberty. honor, all are safe and if it should fail,
We shall be in no worse condition than we are now.
Our relations toward the negro will not have changed.
and II Forced 10 form a g0verVment with him, the same
hen II :, ln'f ~ ana ROUNDS 2i Smpathy wllexist
sistent with his own best interests and the safety and
dignity Of society. If there ever was a time when coun-
try should be evcrythin" and self nothing. il is now.
And TO accomplish ANYTHING we must be firm and uni
ted. We cannot afford to divide now, for the moment
South has only to he firm and patient and pcrrevering
in the pursuit OF her rights to rescue them al from eY-
cry peril that besets them.
The Richmond (Virginia) Times, says:
There Is vet FAINT hope that we nav vet he SPARED
the outrage of Consultations negro suffracc'Ehut
negro suffrage which Congress. at the point of the bay
onet, imposes,i- inevitable. We place no confidence,
Is. In the ability Df the Supreme Court to save ~: and
we have labored to disabuse the minds of our readers
upon that point. But there are symptoms nj the North
OF a fast approaching monetary crisis. which may. i'm a
few months, burst with the relentless fury of a tornado,
w Wv h'nN0 " wv GU III HCriLpn II
already dark with lowering clouds, and from The crash
of their magnificent looking, but rotten, hollow, and
Inflated paper money systcm, our deiivcrance may
come. The black despair Of universal bankruptcy:
the topping over of many a princcly merchant and
banker. and the widespread and swift ruin which will
then crush The laborinS masses. may b. the shape which
Nemesis will assume. No nation nas ever vet given
itself up, body and soul. to "yindictiye legislation, :"
that has not eventually been punished by God most
terribly for it, scarlet sins.
The Macon Georgia. Messenger, after
exhorting the southern people to submit
with the dignity of men to unavoidable
misfortune, closes an editorial on the sub
jcct as follows:
The people must keep clear Of all causes of Offence
In respect To American citizens Of African descent-th,s
IL the main point. Another good idea will he TO keep
clear Of the towns. Raise on your farms all YOU need
to eat and to wear. IA far rs possible. Spin and weave
your own cl1,heS' trace iI,ie; owe nobody; i've at
home; let politics alone. The sun win shine, the birds
heaven just - well under a military ~ under any
other government md You vii not have to h. remind
unless The ministers OF tyranny come after you. The
first and las, care Of tho South should now BE- subsist-
yri:,e ne Us = %o1 ~ ~ kS Sso'ni n h rso ''o gf cgg9" yog
mi efslp stolen. An Industrious farmer can, If he will
stick to his place draw from i all his supplies, and
never know anything about military despotism.
The Lynchburg Republican hopes that
time will set all things right" 1t says:
The South IL solicited t. give consent TO measures
that stamp with inflmy the minds that conceived and
the tongues that propose them. She is first entreated
and then attacked now bullied and now beguiled. TO
sell her good name, and consent tn her own dishonor.
But they cannot degrade the South unless che Yields
nc oatrages that are put upon her. like the insults
base assailants but do not iniure the assailed. But if
We are frightened or deceived Into acquicscence if we
fail TO protest against the vile offers Of those who would
debaueh US ii we do not close our earsc against all
pro0ers that are coupled with the condition Of voluntary
shame, we share the deep inflmly that our enemies will
wear forever. In time our deliverers will come and
u%nfetter US, If we always adhere ~ what we know is
right.
takes a very comprehensive view of the sit
%uation. and winds up a very ably written edi
torial on the subject, as follows