The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-06-19
General Lnugstreet

t y
Weeohess to ordinary regard for Gen. Longstreet.
We remember, and shall always gratefully remember
the true and tried qualities he exhibited patriot
and soldier through the long and bloody days of the
war, never found wanting, remiss; always
obedent, always patient and ever with that mighty
corps Of his in teihickest Of the fight cool calm and
bravest of the brave. When, after the surrender,
with characteristic manhood be came to settle among
us, and to his means Of support BY his own
labor-"ithout murmur or complaint undertaking
duties that were certainly drudgeres to his eagle
spirit we felt proud that by the selection Of his DOM
ici, he had made our State his home and we looked
forward hopefully to future which, we believed it
was somewhat in his power to direct by his example
and the influence that he would exert over our young
men. And when in the bitter agony of realising that
in spite Of common justice, common law, and COM
mon country, tried by the terrible ordeal of a civil
war almost beyond the power Of human endurance
Congress Lad further inflicted Us with the military
bills; and when we stood paralysed, waiting for some
voice OF deliverance-and none from the old
oracles-we were cheered with the calm words and the
sober advice of our respected chiefain. We are
conquered people" he said, and must submit to
fact We gave publication to his letter of the 9th Of
APRIL to which he refers in his answer to Parker to
be foun,. in to-day's issue Notwithstanding many
differences Of opinion amoug people, as to minor
matters the great them readily the fact that
their own interest was involved in simple submis-
sion to the law and the exercise Of all their legitimate
power under it. Towards this end, the authority of
Gen. Longstreet's April letter contributed more than
that Of any single man in the State We thought his
advice good then and we most heartily endorsed him.
And now, in consequence Of that endorsement, and
account OF our old and great regard for Gen Long
street. ard because he was and is and will continue
to be, useful man to u.s. we venture to dissent from
him, not in anger but in sorrow not to attack, but
to him; not to injure, bat to promote bis future
power of usefulness.
Gen Longstreet is a solder-an honest unsnspect-
ing soldier and should beware Of periing his influence
for all good purposes, by too intimate recognition OF
political fatterers. They &re necessarily tricksters,
and will surely entrap and circumvent him. He does
not understand their strategy. He must learn that it
is not necessary to answer every political letter. that
retcence is itself heroic quality; that his ''unpre
neditated gallantry" is weapon against him, and
get that politically he not wenformd man. either
to general history or to party politics. his pursuits
md profession having precluded the necessary study
If these matters It is with feeling of regret that
We find our old favorite arguing from proposition
hat is self-evident to him, and which he thus an
lounces: The highest of all human lass is the law
hat is established By an appeal to arms Now, as
natter of history and philosophy, this proposition is
10Th untrue and fllacious and hence the Generals de-
logically and vicious. War; it
rue is the ultima ratio, but in the same sense, as that
he last singing and most insulting word, between
persons quarreling is the Ultimate resort in quarrel
nd the precursor of a blow, and as fight between
Individual conbatants never establishes which was
light in the personal controversy which led to it.
settles anything but the fact whe conquers
lever settles any principles whatever. In point of
act, and the General seems to overlook the fact
wholly, the carried on by the North to per-
etuate the Union and by the South to disrupt it and
0 found new nationality for itself The only princi-
lie, if principle it can be called, settled By the sur
endcr was the assertion of the superior power of the
.orth which ntained intact the geographical linn
IS of the Union. Emancipation itself was bat mill
Try incident. The legislation, subsequent to the
apder by which principles have become law, accord
,g to Gen Longsreet, embodes simply the acts of
ominant party in Congress, and these acts !
ealabe in their character and may even be declared
ui and void by the Supreme Court. There is then I
Q fnality about them, and consequently legitimate
I'd constitutional opposition to them, at proper +
me and in proper manner, will not involve the ad
ocacy Of obsolete ideas In fact, the Democratic
lrty of the North is opposing this legislation =
ID in this opposn they may, and will be Joined by
large Southern party at future day. When b
is alliance is formed under whatever known, 81
incples will tie discussed and Gen. Longsreet will =
e that no party has hold on perpetual power in tt
pular governments We think the General has n
erlooked the significance of the recent elections II
ORTIZ and that he wholly misconceyes the spirit and
rpose Of the opposition. lie certainly undertakes,
he ever rightly conceived the power of vigilant n
d bold minority. 1t is to remind him of these u
ings that We have oYerstepped our intended limits in
review of his position b
The New Orleans Republican thinks Congress ought CT
once to remove his disability, and expresses the be- =
f he will be our first Senator. We should be glad a
see Gen. Longsreet's disability removed. We n
ould even be pleased to see him United States
nator but we hope he will exercise both more cau- ii
N in his letter writing and show of his old pa
nee. It is good maxim to hasten slowly in such
nes these. He cannot repair at once the injuries al
four years of desolating by the plan he sug al
sts-of recognising present legislation settling the
st or future principles of government. =
Masonic Celebration. -
The Free and Accepted Masons of this city will a,
ebrate the approaching anniversary Of St, John the
the Gath nst.-by procession and &c
atoms in the forenoon, and ball and supper in the =
ening Shreveport and Caddo Lodges and shreve-
TT Chapter will turn out in full regalia. The neigh
lndnas and all the brethren III the vicinity who