The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-06-13
ksssHssFnst;sn In Eaussia:,a,
INTERESTING LETTER OF GENERAL
LoNGsTREEf

Uf SENEAAL
LoNGsTREEf.
The letter to which Gen. Longstrcet here
replies, contained an invitation to attend
mass meeting in New Orleans at which Sena-
tor Wilson was to speak, and closed with
request that Gen. Longstrest would make
known his own views on the condition of pub
lie affairs. He presided at the nesting nd
dressed by Senator Wilson, it will be remem-
bered, and now complies with his correspond
ents second request. Gen. Longstreet's letter
was published in tho New Orleans Repub-
lican of the 9TH instant.
NEW ORLEANS, La, June 8, 1867
JIM G. Parker, ESQ.,:
My Dear Sir,-Your esteemed favor of the
18th l1lt, was duly received. I was much
pleased to have the opportunity to hear Sena-
tor Wilson, and was agreeably surprised to
meet such fairness and frankness in politi-
clan whom have been taught to believe I'M
cOmpromisinSly opposed to the while people
of the South.
have maturely considered your suggestion
to wisely unite in efforts to restored Louisiana
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
desire for practical reconstruction and recon-
Citation. Practical men can surely distin-
guish between practical reconstruction and re-
construction as an abstract question. will
endeayor, however, with renewed energy, to
meet yonr 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 na ion. 1t matters not wheth-
er bear the mantle OF Mr.. Davis or tho man
tie of Mr. Sumner, so that ! may help to bring
the glory Of "peacs and goodwill toward
men," = lrt- a--s %.
1 shall set out by assuming . proposition,
that hold to be self-evident, viz: The high
est of human laws is the law that is establish
ed by appeal to arms.
The great principles that divided political
| parties prior to the war were thoroughly dis
cussed by our wisest statesmen. When argu-
ment was exhausted resort was had to COM
promise. When compromise was unavailing
| discussion was renewed, and expedients were
| sought, but mono could be found to suit the
emergency. Appeal was finally made to the
| sword, to determine which of the claims was
| the true construction of the constitutions law
The sword has decided in favor of 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 il therefore oul
duty to abandon ideas that are obsolete and
| conform to the requirements of law. ID
The military bill, and amendments, are
| peace offerings. We should accept them q.
such, and place ourselves upon them as the
| starting point from which to meet future polit
ical issues as they arise.
| Like other Southern men, I naturally sough
alliance with the Democratic party, merely
because it was opposed to the Republican par
ty. But as far as can judge, there il nothing
tangible about it,. except the issues that wer,
staked upon the war and there lost Finding
nothing to take hold of except prejudice
which cannot be worked into good for any one
it is proper and right that l should seek SOM
standpoint from which good may DO done.
If appreciate the principles of the demo
cratic party, its prominent features oppose tn
entranchisement of the cOlored man. and den,
the right to legislate upon the subject of sui
frage, except by the States individually. Thes
two features have a tendency to exclude south
ern men from that party; for the colored maj
is already enfranchised here, and We canno
seek alliance with a party that would restric
his rights. The exclusive right of the State
to legislate upon suffrage will make the en-
reimbursement of the blacks, whether for bette
or for worse, a fixture among u.s. 1t appear.
therefore, that those who cry loudest agains
are those whose principles would fix it upol
us without a remedy. Hence it becomes us t
insist that suffrage should DO extended in al
of the States, and fully tested. Tho people Q
the North should adopt what they have force
upon us; and if it proved to be a mistake, the
should remove it by the remedy under reput
lcan principles OF uniform laws upon sui
trage. .at a.sl
If every man in the country will meet tn
crisis with proper appreciation of our condi
ton, and come fairly up to his responsibilities
on tomorrow the sun will smile upon happ
people, our fields will again begin to yield thei
increase, our railroads and rivers will teeI
with abundant commerce. our towns and cite
will resound with the tumult of trade, and W
| shall be invigorated by the blessings of A
mighty God. 1 am Sir, very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
| JAMES LoNGSTREET