The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-09-30

right hand of oblivion of the past and re-
conciiation in the future, which they
might reject if they wished or dared
Reconstruction" has scorned their pro-
tests, repclled their aid, insulted then
misery, and Inflicted on them an abase. g.
ment which they felt to be intolerablc IN
posting over them their slaves OF yester-
day to secure their pledge of submission
to the Constitution. But for this ungcn-
erous and suspicious policy believe we
might now have been truly united peo-
pie, the Southern white reconciied to the {,
inevitable, the negro secure in his civil
rights, and attaining political privileges
as he grew fit to use them wisely, ana
the North, ennobled by a victory more
glorious than any feat of arms-the con-
quest Of its own passions. ! will not argue
the unconstitutionality Of "Reconstruc-
tion.' The almost unanimous disincllna-
ton of the Republicans in Congress to al
low it to undergo the scrutiny OF the Su-
prevne Court, would seem to confirm the
reported. statement Of the lamented MIR.
Stevens. chat only two id fools inthe
party believed the Reconstruction Acts to
be constitutional Even if they were so,
should still deem them unwise. The
Union they impose is, to my eyes, no
more like true union of hearts md hands
than a galvanized corpse resembles a
healthy man All the doings Of men are
governed by the laws Of nature. The at
tempt to subordinate the trained and able
class of landholders at the South to. the
poor, ignorant, dcbascd and lardless
freedman, is one of those futile struggles
to repeal God by statute, with which
history abounds. 1t must fail but it is of
great moment that it should be stopped
at once. Every day. it lasts it is cncour
aging false hopes in the negro and rem
dering resumption of true relation be-
tween the blacks and the whites more
difficult 1 think that neither the in.
stinc!s nor tie destiny Of the people will
allow any permanent domination to the
African race in any State of the Union.
But the Republican party is irrevocably
pledged to the idea. They have staked
their existence as a party on the triumph
70 this idol they have sacrificed their
constitutional obligations in the past, and
for it. .t!.cr must fndiresh offerings in the
future. The blacks must have lands and
arms and standing army to maintain
them il-StlIeir false position. They are
clamoring for them i.cw;,and the United
States must furnish them. The path.upon
whic!, Congress has entered permits no
hall: aud retreat is ruin. III my opinion
we mis-! start anew, taking the Constilu-
ton 70 onr guide and nalurallaws for Our
limitations. It>is-truc that the Democratic
party in srccc-s may violate the pledges
OF adversely, and 7again suIvcrt the or
-anic l&w. the !esDrngs and The prac-
lice Of R.d;calism have DESTROYED much
of the old Ycvnrc'co for the precious le@a-
cy of our ancestors. We may d,c:d lesi.
they should do this thing. hat we do ccr
,ainiy knew that tic Republican PARTY
has alreaeiy done it. Al least ii is Il
.hancc-a last chance ci ealvaton. II
that fails us-if we must submit to the
whimS Of a majority without aFrcal-it
matters but little To me whether 1t re.
oiccs in tho name Of Republican or de-
lights the title OF Democrat. liza party
in the nation may constitute itself the
sole arbitcrof the constitutiolality OF its
own measures, then secession was illegal
only because it was not the act of q ma,
lority. The battle is between Congress
and the Constitution. For my part aIn
for tho Constitution.
Holding these opinions, 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 @. ADAMS.