The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-10-21
John Quincy Adams on Radicalism

John Quincy Adams on Radicalism.
The following is that portion Of John
Quincy Adams's able letter accepting the
democratic nomination for Governor OF
Massachusetts, which relates to affairs in
the South: ~ my
Fidelity to the Constitution should be
the final test of political utilization to-day.
But to act with the party which has ruled
the country with supreme dominion for
three years past, must agree with them
that the Constitution contemplated an ul-
timate absorption of the most important
functions Of the Executive Department by
Congress that its fair construction will
authorize that body to wrest from the Ju-
dietary Department the jurisdiction in ca
ses where its judgment upon constitutional
questions Of the first magnitude may pos
sibly conflict with that of the majority
therein I must stand ready to fix my name
to declaration Of political faith which ex-
pressly makes approval Of the impeachment
Of the President test Of party fellowship !;
and, finally, must be abe to cay upon nv
conscience that l consider reconstruc-
tion," for the sake Of which all this and
much more has been done, is wise, states
manlike and constitutional. Now, have
always thought with Mr.. Seward, that the
wisest way to treat the wounds left by the
war was to let them heal "by FIRST inten-
tion." But reconstruction has torn
them open. day by day, until they are now
q mass OF well-nigh incurable eangrene.
believe that true craftsmanship would have
imposed on the Southern leaders the task
Of bringing their people back into the
Union by frankly and confidently offering
to them the day they laid down their arms,
the right hand of oblivion of the past and
reconciliation in the future, which they
might reject if they wished or dared.
Reconstruction has scorncd their plo
tests, repealed their aid, insulted their mis-.
cry. and inflicted on them an abasemcnt
which they felt to be intoierable, in posting
over them their slaves of yesterday to &C.
cure their pledge of submission to the Con.
stitution. But for this ungenerous and
suspicious policy, I believe we might now
have been u truly united people, lhe South.
ern white reconciled to the inevitable, the
negro secure in his civil rights, and stain.
ing political privileges as he grew fit to use
them wisely, and the North ennobled by q
victory more noble than any feat of arms
the conquest of its own passions. will
not argue the nconstitutionality of ere.
construction The almost unanimous dis.
inclination Of the republicans in Congress
to allow it to undergo the scrutiny Of the
Supreme Court, would seem to confirm the
reported statements of the lamented Ste.
vens, that only two damned fools in the
party believed the reconstruction acts to
be constitutional" Even IL they were CO.
| should deem them unwise. The Union
they impose lie to my eyes no more like q
true union of hearts and hands than gal.
vaDized corpse resembles . healthy man.
All the doings of men are governed by the
laws Of nature. The attempt to su6ordi.
nate the trained and able classes of white
landholders at the South to the poor, ig.
norant, debased and landless freedmen, is
one Of those futile struggles to repeal
Gods law by statute with which history
abounds. 1t must fail, bat it is of great
moment that it should be stopped at once
Every day it lasts it is encouraging false
hopes TO the negro and rendering q resump-
ton Of & true relation between the blacks
and whites more difficult. I think that
neither the instincts nor the destiny ofthis
people will allow any permanent DONNA
ton to the African race In any State of the
Union. But the republican party is ire.
vocably pledged to this idea. They have
stakcd their existence as party on its tri.
umph. To this idol they have sacrificed
their constitutional obligations in the past
and for it they must :nd fresh offerings iu
the future. The blacks must haze lands
and arms and a standing army to maintain
them in their false position. They are
clamoring for them now, and the United
States must furnish them. The path upon
which Congress has entered permits Of no
halt, and retreat is ruin. Ia my opinion
we must begin anew |; taking the Constitu.
ton for our guide and natural laws for our
tits true that the democratic
party in success may violate the pledges Of
law. The teachings and the practice of
radicalism have destroyed much of the old
reverence for the precious legacy of our an
cestors. 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 . chance-a chance Of
salvation. Ifthat fails us--if We submit
to the whilis of a majority, without appeal.
it matters but little to, me whether it re-
joices in the name ofrepublican or delights
in the title of democrat. If a party in the
cation may constitute itself the sole arbi-
ter of the constitutionality OF its own mea-
sures, then secession was illegal only be-
cause It was not the act of . majority.
The battle is between Congress and the
Constitution: For my part, I am for the
Constitution. Holding these opinions, !
shall act wit the democratic party 30 long
de- It is the party ofthe Constitution;
! am; cir, with great repect, q,v
Your friend and servant.
gaycr7r rre,a JOHN @. ADAMS.
ANEcDoiE OF Gov. SEYxoUiR. "A writer
in the ST. Louis Republican relstes the
fo1lowiYfT .f@ttA = tz+>+ VII.