The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-02-05
a Ifilittarv Despo impending.

sought to Justify their fragrant inraetions Of that
cred instrument by the unworthy pretex Of "neces-
sity resulting from the rebellion their whole aim and
the drift Of their entire policy has been to subser the
Government of our fathers and to establish military
despotism on the ruins Of the republic.
At the beginning Of the war, it was pretended that
the limitations Of the Constitution rendered the Gov
eminent feeble against such organised resistance as
the combined aud compact South presented When
that deception was exposed, by an exhibition OF moral
and material power on the part Of tic Executive De-
partment ranscending any preconceyed idea OF its an-
horty, the consprators resorted to other means for
accomplishing their infamous plot to overthrow our
republican form Of government Radical Senators and
members Of the House, enjoying III large degree the
confidence Of their party were open ana uHieserVed N
depreciang disparagement Of the obligations of the
Constitution, aud equally bold in demanding a
"strongern government Finally, when the surrender
OF Lee changed the circumstances, ard by removing
the pretended cause siIccad these alarming Uterances
another resort was adopted by the enemies Of free in
stitutions
Peace having been proclaimed, and lie object Of the
war; as soenny declared by Congress- having been at
tanned by the complete suppression of the rebellion,
the question came up, in what manner the States lately
in nsurrection should their normal relations to
the Union, and by what means this desirable result
should be brought about. Mr.. Lincoln Immediately
initiated policy, and went lar in Virginia to al
thorse the military commander to assemble I4egisa-
trre elected under jefferson Davis to carry it out.
The proof Of that fact exists, aud submitted be-
fore Il congressional committee in tie Presidents own
handwriting. Mr. Johnson soon came upon the scene,
AMI took up this policy exactly where Mr Lincoln had
left it, and cndeav0Tcd to execute bis incomplete idea
with upriglness and fidelity That purpose however,
did suit the schemes of Congress- which had Sc
cretly determined to prevent its cOnsummation, and
to subject the South to the treatment Of conquered
provinces. Hence the rupture with Mr. Johnson aid
the INSCRIPTIONS hostility th which he has since then
5I,+ ;t,
dec!ayatons turned its BACK upon every principle for
which tie war had been prosecuted, and commenced
that system tyranny outrage, and cucity which has
led to the present sad condition Of the country aud
provoked the unanimous Judgment OF the civilised
world against rs.
When it is asked upon what authority, or by what
right this system has been imposed, tie unbIusIHg
swer of the chief conspirators like Stevens is that it
is " outside of the Constitution" They have the au-
dacity confess tie illegaly Of these proceedings
and preSunng upon military power exercised BY their
obedicnt Instruments, they mean TO enforce them at
any risk il the people will t.mey submit TO that op-
preston
Tho time las come when tlc dangers of such cri-
sis as these desperate men determined 10 force
upon the country must not be treated with lcvity
They have cEdcayorcl by the most reckless measures
and the rankcst justice to rDge the Southern States
down to the degraded condition of Poland, crushed
provinces but with Tie revolving feature, that
negroes just emerged from babaISn Put the
intelligence, virtue, and refinement of these States
the controlling political power. Every wicked device
and malicious ingenuity has been applied in order to
make the success Of this Infamous scheme more sure
One phase Of reconstruction has succeeded to another,
each more offensive than the last and all intended
punish, with the blacke*t and nearest vengeance,
people who submissive and obedient to tie law,
who are suffering and s;agving and who only beg for
peace end the privilege OF earning their bread by the
sweat Of their brow Sorrow and dcst;lution sadden
,,f and
dcsoalon there are calling themselves Christians
and legislators who base enough to scei; out
modes 0! puIShncnt ard TO invent forms OF cruelty
that would disgrace the IaQuisition in lis darkest Gays
Of terror and crime.
Not satisfied with the pains of tyranny already i'm
posed upon tie South the conspirators have now de-
vised another and odious contrivanee, by which
it is intended to strike down at single blow every
safeguard and protection under the Constitution,
whether EXECUTIVE judicial and 10 deliver over the
country mnnaceG into tie hands OF military Dictator,
in the person Of Gen. Grant, who is to govern by his
individual WILL and to disregard all law but that which
lis directory shall tHbrcac fer the OCCASION THIS is
but the beginning Of the end The real design is to
subvert the Government and to establish military
desp0tism, first by the suhug0ti0n Of ten Southern
States, and then, by means Of the power thus acquired
he whole Union. This conspiracy was hatched three
years ago. and has been Increasing in proportions in
the degree that the country has seemed occasionally to
sanction the EsnrpatiOna OF the rut1p Parliament call!
ing itself Congress- Now, when it is evident that the
popular voice condemns the outrages Which have been
and that the dcstTuctivcs will be swept
away by current Of Indignation such as no party
ever before experienced desperate leaders have de-
ermined to employ the sword as their only resource
Of preserving power. They have succeeded il capt
satng certain military chiefs with the promise and
prospect of unlimited rule, and this experiment is TO
be tried unless the courage Of the conspirutors fails
at the final pinch.
Let 'he country theh, ne n2' hefaEGo l'lo '"'Se