Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-09-29
SEPTEMBER 90, 1868.

DEMONSTRATION" has scorned their pro-
tests, repelled their aid, insuted their misery,
and inflicted on them an abasement which
they felt to be intolerable, in posting over
them their slaves of yesterday to secure their
pledge of submission to the Constitution -
But for this ungenerous and suspicious policy
l believe we might now have been truly
uaited people, the Southern white reconciled
to the inevitable, the negro secure in his civil
rights, and attaining political privileges as he
grew fit to use them wisely, and the North
ennobled by victory more noble than any
feat of arms-the conquest. of its own pas
sions. | will not argue the demonstrations
ality of Reconstruction" The almost unan-
imous disinclinatiOn of the Republicans in
Congress to allow it to undergo the scrutiny
of the Supreme Court would seem to confirm
the reported statement of the lameuted Ste
vcns, "that only two damned fools III the par
ty believed the reconstruction acts to be con-
stitutional" Even if they were so, should
deem them unwise. The Union they impose
is, to my eyes, no more like a true union of
hearts and hands than galvanized corpse
resembles healthy man. All the doings of
men are governed by the laws of nature The
attempt to subordinate the trained and able
classes of white landholders at the South to
the poor, Ignorant, debased, aud landless
freedmen is one of those futile struggles to
repeal Gods law by statute with which history
abounds. 1t must fail, but it is Of great mo-
ment that it should be stopped at once
Every day it lasts it is encouraging false
hopes in the negro and rendering resump>
ton of true relation between the blacks and
whites more difficult. think that neither
the instincts nor the destiny of this people
will allow any permaennt domination to the
African race in any State of the Union. But
the Republican party is irrevocably pledged
to this idea. They have staked their existence
as party on its triumph. To this idol theys
sacrificed their constitutional obligations in
the past, and for it they must find fresh offer
ings in the future. The blacks must have
lands and arms and standing army to main
tain them in their false position They are
clamoring Tor them row ,zand the United
States must furnish them.
The path upon which Congress has enter
ed permits of no halt, and retreat is ruin
In my opinion we must begin anew, taking the
Constitution for our guide and natural laws
for our limitations. Itis true that the Demo
cratic party in success may violate the pledges
of adversely, and again subvert the organic
law. The teachings and the practice OF Rad
icalism have destroyed much Of the old rever-
ence for the precious legacy of our ancestors.
We may dread lest they should do this thing,
but we do certainly know that the Republican
party has already done it. At least it is
chancc-a last chance-of salvation. If that
fails us--if VIC submit to the whims of ma
jurity without appeal-it matters but little to
me whether it reio;ces in the name of Repub-
lican or delights in the ti,!e of Democrat
If party in the nation may constitute itself
the sole arbiter of the constitutionalty of its
own measures, then secession was illegal only
because it was not the act of majority. The
battle is between Congress and the Constitu-
Holding these opinions, L shall act with the
Democratic party so long as it is the party of
the Constitution.
am sir, with great respect, your friend
and servant, JoHN Q. ADAMS.