Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1868-01-25
MISSiSSiDDI,
ADDRESS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL
UNION PARTY.

MISSISSIPPI.
ADDRESS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL
UNION PARTY.
To the People of MiSsiSSippi'
Terrible evils, created unwise leg.
islation of Congress, threatened all
our rights and interests, national,
social, civil, aud political. More
than two years have elapsed since
the close of the war, and now, at n
time when our people migh..., il not
obstructcd b. hostile legislation, in
good degree restore prosperity,
and contribute millions to the pub
lie treasury, they are reduced; by
The acts of Congress, to condition
worse than ever before. Civil order
is paralyzed by the sword, industry
is demoralized. The sad complaint
of suffering from want of bread is
heard in this fruitful land, and rob-
berries for food have already begun.
Cotton, important as it is to the
country as the supporter of the pub.
lie credit, the medium of exchange,
the bountiful contributor to t h
profits of commerce, and the great
stimulent of industry, will be grown
no more. In fact, the policy of
Congress has reduced our popula-
ton to utter ruin. Congress has
contrived for US the perpetuity of
negro rule-the blind domination
bt barbN Gus ignorance, stimulated
by the worst passions of men, and
directed by reckless partisan advcn-
lures.
By the will of an American Con-
gress, these Southern States are
foredoomed to become African prov
inces in which we and our children
are to be held in negro subjugation,
and into which no Northern man
DO Union soldier-can enter except
10 become, like us, victim to an
archy and ruin. The Union cause
kriumphed in the strife of arms, but
the Union Congress, so-called, has
practically decreed that this great
South, saved to the Union by a
countless loss of blood and treasure,
Bhall become negro obligarchy,
and dreary waste, incapable to
contribute q dollar to the public
treasury dead weight, worse
than worthless to the Union. No
plan more efficient could be devise :
Ito create and perpetuate bitterness,
and weaken and endanger the I'm
ion. Under such scheme republic
can government and civil liberty
are impossible. Protested Republi
cans now strive to commit the State
of Mississippi to the control of a
race Of ignorant negroes, having u
registered majority Of 1000 voters,
manipulated by political adventu7
rers from other States. Of the CA
pacity of these freedmen to organ
ize, develop, and restore to shape
and control the destinies of a great
State, and of the partisan purposes
regarding them, let the late report
of Gen. Grant bear witness: "Their
intelligence is not now sufficient to
combine for the executive of their
will; all their combinations are now
controlled by white men under the
protection Of the military. If the
protection is withdrawn, the white
men now controlling would with
draw with it; 4 x X
so that the presence of large mill
tary force will be required for some
time to maintain h g freedmen
in the right Of suffrage" Then
these creatures, confessedly too ig-
norant even to combine for the ex-
ecution of their will, are to be main
tanned as our nominal rulers, whilst
manipulating strangers, "under the
protection OF the military" are to
make combinations for them, and
through them to govern the State.
We have thus proposed for our ac-
ceptance an oligarchy maintained
by military power. Such govern
ment would be disgrace and ruin
to any people. Every consideration
and duty, and interest con
strains us to oppose it. To accept
it, is to ignore the Constitution, and
the great principles of civil liberty
it was ordained to perpetuate. Our
duty to the freedmen, no less than
our own interest, requires us to
unite in earnest efforts to defeat this
scheme IF Mississippi
A State Convention
Of the Constitutional Union party
will be held in city Of Jackson, on
On Wednesday, the 18th day of jan
nary next, for the purpose of thor
Dugh organization, consultation and
action, and we earnestly invite all
citizens of the State, who are iu fav-
Dr. 5f peace and union under the
Constitution, to send delegates to
AXE counsel with us for the com
mon good. Let no one delude him
self with the hope of peace under a
constitution which will transfer the
power ~ the State to a dominant ne
yro majority, BY which it may be
and debased at will. Let
here be no hating because of past
differences Of opinions Of politics
Let the recent past teach rs IN .
row Operative IS the necessity 10