Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1867-03-21
SpeculatiOns and Advice Upon the
"SituatiOn." a.

and not claiming to be prophet
nor the son of a prophet" we cannot
pretend to divine what day may
bring forth, particularly in these
times of strange and startling politi'
cal changes and innovations. Oceans
Of ink have been shed in abstract
speculations as to the peculiar turns
and phases which political matters
at Washington were to assume from
day to day, and speculations still
continue rife in view Of the future.
1t hardly needed prophetic vision
to discern how the Legislation Of the
late 39th Congress toward the South
would terminate or what relative
course of action thereto would be
taken by its immediate successor;
but it requires more than mortal ken
to foresee what all Of this kind Of
Legislation will lead to.
The advice given by many who
reside at the great political centres
Of the country is for the South to
keep cool, to act wisely and temper
ately under the circumstances, to
accept with as good a grace as posi-
bic the "situation"-not to be cast
down by dependency but to "suffer
and be strong" in the day of her
adversely. Perhaps, Judging from
the calmness now displayed by some
Of the leading presses and politicians
of the South, as contrasted with the
fiery and impetuous opposition hith-
erto manifested by them in view Of
the probabilities which have now
become actualities, the advice may
be adjudged discreet and acceptable.
The Washington Intelligencer Of
the 18th inst, says the New Orleans
Times, contains discreet and inter-
esting article on the political condi-
ton Of the country and the policy
which should be pursued under the
circumstances by the Southern peo-
pie. It notices the fact, that accord.
ing to the Radical theory an actual
dissolution of the Union has been
accomplished, not by secession, but
by the coercive force of partisan
power. Though the Constitution ex-
pressly declares that no State shall
be deprived Of its equal suffrage in
the Senate, yet ten States are forci-
bly, excluded from representation
therein, and their local governments
have been pronounced illegal by a
solemn Congressional vote. Virginia,
"the mother Of States" has been
forced to part with portion, as it
were, Of her own territorial flesh and
blood, by cruel Cesarean operation.
And now, to exhibit still further the
excuses of INSCRIPTIONS force, mar
tial law has been declared over a
third of the Union, and the civil
rights of ten millions of people are
subjected to the rigid requirements
Of military control. But unfortu-
nately for the Southrons, popular
opinion in the North fully warrants
all that has been done, and is quite
ready to add to the list Of burdens,
unless those already prescribed be
gracefully accepted. The condition
is hard one, but a conquered peo-
pie must make the best terms they
can, well knowing that it is better
to secure a moiety of their rights
than to be deprived of them alto
gether. The article in the Intelli-
gencer, to which we have above
alluded, closes as follows:
The South, therefore, has made
the mistake of consulting too little
the requirements Of public opinion at
the North. It can only be restored
to its rights under the Constitution
by overcoming a hostile public
opinion, and it must be remembered
that this opinion is hostile, not be-
cause there is resentment and a de-
sire to humiliate the vanquished
in tho Northorn mind