Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-06-19

ored man is already enfranchised here, and
we cannot seek alliance with party that
would restrict his rights. The exclusive
right of the states to legislate upon suffrage
will make the enfranchisement OF the blacks,
whether for better or for worse, hxture
among us 1t appears, therefore, that those
who cry loudest against this new order oil
things as a public calamity, are those whose
principles would fix it upon us without a
remedy Hence it becomes us to insist that
suffrage should be extended in all of the
states, and fully tested. The people OF the
North should adopt what they have forced
upon us ; and if it be proved to be a mistake
riIev should remove it by the remedy under
republican principles of uniform laws upon
suffrage
If every man iii the country will meet the
crisis with a proper appreciation of our con-
iition and come fairly up to his responsible
tiles. on Tomorrow the sun will smile upon
i. happy people, our fields will again begin to
Weld their increase, our railroads and rlyers
will teen with abundant commerce. oui
towns and cities will rcsound with the tumult
Of trade. and we shall be invigorated by the
blessings of Almighty God.
| am. sir, very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant.
JAMES LoNGsTREET y
Cen. Longstreet also says 1t matters
not whether | 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 toward men.
Such a letter as this is of much political
significance While slavery was in existence,
and it was possible to preserve it, southern
politicians made everything subservient to
their schemes for its continuance. To that
end they chccrfully welcomed the aid of the
Democratic party at the North, which, for
the sake of power and plumber was willing
10 become the pandcr of this southern crime
But men Of foresight, like Longstreet, now
understand that. slavery being abolished, the
ideas, civil and political, which nourishcd it,
and upon which it was hoped its permanence
could be secured, have no place in the new
order of things. These men pretended to
believe, and probably did believe. that the
prosperity of the South was indissolubly
connected with slavery, but they now see a.
clearly that, with freedom, prosperity can
only be assured by readily adapting them
selves to their new situation and turning
their energies into the new channels of indus
try and enterprise opening in their way.
Without persisting foolishly and nadlv in
mourning the dead past, they turning
their faces toward the coming and glowing
future, and welcoming with a ready embrace
the ideas and the policy Of the era of lib
ertv.
Gen. Longstreet and others like him may
not determine to act with the Republican
party, but they cannot act with the Demo
cratic party which has now become only the
party Of obstruction. They find nothing IL
that party to take hold of but prejudice .
and for living and working and resolute ant
honest men. DESTROYS of building up a pros
porous future for their own states such a
party has no attractions. They Will natr-
ally be drawn to the party of progress, the
party which believes in republican govern
ment and acts up to its belief. rather than e
the party which has nothing tangible except
the issues which it staked and lost in the re-
bellion