Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-07-03
voice from the south.

Beard Of Public Works-PHILlP
A Voice from the South.
We last week published the letter of
General Longstreet, favoring recon-
struction under the law of Congress.
His language and sentiments were in
marked contrast with the peevish, pes
tiferous wailings of the sorehead de-
mocrscy of the North, who advise the
Southern people TO spit upon IAe over
lures Of Congress, as too degrading and
despotic for acceptance. Gen. JEFF.
Thompson, another Confederate Gener-
al, has written 8 letter to the Editor of
the Louisville Journal in which he
says: al heartily concur, in the senti-
ments Of General James Longstreet."
Such expressions of opinion by leading
and influential Southern nen, must
operate in due time as leayen to the
Southern mind, and lmbue it with
moro reasonable, practical and nobler
aspirations, and inspire it TO achieve
ends in harmony with the liberal and
enlightened spirit of the age. While
the fossilized leaders of the Democracy
would like to make all our laws sub
serve proslaYery interests, or rather
prejudices-for all that is left of the
black institution is the chimers of
satanic prejudice-and would prefer to
see the nation fall back into the politi-
cal ante-war status, and prophecy the
ruin of the country, unless slavery and
Southern domination are restored, the
men who really desire the true welfare
and prosperity of the South; are. in the
language of General Thompson, ready
to "look facts in the face as they exist,
and make the, best of the future, with
out moping oTer the past.p That is the
kind of advice the South needs, and it
is the same which the Republican
Union Party is ever ready to give and
help to carry out.
We quote from the able and interest
ing letter Of General Thompson, as
follows:
I tell you, then, plainly that l never
fought the United States because 1
hated the United States. I never
fought the North because 1 hated the
North. ] did not desire to be one iota
freer than i was under the flag of the
Union; but there was abstract political
0tok2e .rAA- -- F1--.
thousand millions of dollars worth of
African slaves that ! thought could
only be saved oad of the UnieB. From
the first hostile gun fred by John
Brown st Harper's Ferry until the 5th
day Of June. 1865, when I surrendered
my troops, Twas 8 fair, square and con-
sistentenemy Of AbolitionHm and those
who tonight their battles; but when
deselatioa came; and starvation and
ruin stared our women and children
In the face, I followed the example of
my noble leaders-surrendened all
political rights and became one of a
conquered but still proud people. Our
Tsr bad been no .'boy's play" Our
surrender was no farce. No politician
had aught TO do with the finale, and
nj proudest and noblest simply re-
eeived q parole saying, "ke shall not be
apteTfeed EitA By the United STATES Guthori-
ties, as AzS as he observes AiS parole, and
the hys IN force 0kere he zzay reside"
This, then, was our actual condition on
July LIST, 1865. In g short time . mil
lion Of soldiers stacked their guns and
resumed the peaceful pursuits Of life
And in two short years We have taken
giant strides in the march of improve
ment and reconstruction. We have
not been asked to love the dominant
party; nor to kiss the rod that smote
US; but the victors haYe the right to
say, 'tshau we make the brave men our
friends by courtesy, or shall we make
the towards friends through fear?"
And they, only, have the right make
the laws, which we have simply the
right to obey, or leave the country, or
remain aliens in our own land.
The proper policy for the Victors to
pursue Is not my province to discuss,
neither have l a right to complain, nor
will l presume to advise. l can simply
set my soldiers an example of patience,
industry and enterprise, to build up
our broken fortunes and make the land
bloom again in peace, confidence and
plenty; therefore l will accept all
eourtesies and faVors that the law may
grant me, and not let my individual
likes or dislikes interfere with my duty
to the country In which my children at
least have an interest. l can now but
repeat what l had occasion to write
once before: Apologies for the past or
promises for the future would indicate
arEaatof confidence in my own integri-
". I have simply done what l conceiY.
ed to be my duty, and 1 propose to do
it now" The Confederate Government
wiped out States Rights the first year
of its existence bloody var wiped
out slavery, and wiped out the Confed-
eraey, SO they are obsolete ideas and
thespIRin question now presented US is,
HEM Y0u accept citizenship under our
terms as contained in this law ?" And
[ emphatically answer Yesi Let each
and every white man in the South say,
"Abstract ideas or obsolete theories
shah not govern me, for | shall look
facts In the face IS they exist, and
make the best out Of the future, with
out moping over the past. 1t Is not to
be presumed that 1 shall be asked to
compromise my honor, or be false to
my friends, for l am compelled to obey
the laws, and being an elector simply
gives me an opportunity to make the
laws more faYorable"-then will conf
dence be restored, and plenty abound
once more.
Yours, most respectfully,
n. JEFF. fHoHPsoN.
~
MaxImiIIian Shot.
mn 49, Al ---