Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-09-23
IoEan nmlmcz Adams Of Mass.


England, and so gratifying to find such an one
scion of house that has borne conspicuous
part in the country from the very foundation
Of its independence, that we cannot deny our
selves the pleasure OF publishing the iuil text
of that part of the letter of Mr.. John quincy
Adams, accepting the Democratic nomination
for the GoVcrnorship of Massachusetts, when
refers to the South and reconstruction, al
though the telegraph furnished full extracts
from it. 1t is clear that this young man has
the qualities of the older and better type OF
manhood and craftsmanship. We see moth
ing in him that partakes of modern New Eng
landism He is wise, broad natural and pa
triotic in the true sense. He rises to the level
| of great occasion, and looks with tar-reach-
| ing and unjaundiced vision upon the issues OF
| the day and the tendencies of the times. In
contrast with him, how ignoble Sumner and
Wilson, and the general brood Of New England
| politicians appear.
| After disposing Of certain local matters, and
considering the question Of the currency and
! the national indebtedness, Mr.. Adams says:
But even if I differed with you on this sub
ject and saw any relief in the party chiefly re-
| sponsible for our present deplorable financial
| condition, regard the second or vita lquestlon
of such moment that my political action would
be governed by the attitude Of the opposing
parties in reference to that alone. The issue
| which, in my mind, dwarfs all others is, Shall
| the Constitution or shall party mandate be
the supreme law of the land? Fidelity to the
Constitution should be the final test Of poti-
cal utilization to-day. But to act With the par
ty which has ruled the country with supreme
Dominion for three years past, l must agree
with them that the Constitution contemplated
an ultimate absorption of the most important
functions of the executive department by Con.
gress that its fair construction will authorize
that body to wrest from the judiciary depart
ment the jurisdiction in cases where its judg-
ment upon constitutional questions of the first
magnitude may possibly conflict with that Of
majority therein; | must stand ready to fix my
name to q declaration Of political faith which
expressly makes approval OF the impeachment
of the President test OF party fellowship; and
finally, must be able to say upon my con-
science that [ consider reconstruction, for
the sake of which all this and much more has
been done, is wise, statesmanlike, and consti
tutional. 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 Intention" But Reconstruction"
has torn them open day by day, until they are
now a mass of we'll. nigh incurablc gangrene. |
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
I11,t ,n,,, oh thn,- bad
or dared.
Reconstruction has scorncd their protests,
reneled their aid, insulted their misery, and
inflicted on them al abasement which they felt
to be intoIcrable in posting over them their
slaves ofyestcrday to secure their pledge of
submission TO the Constitution. But Tor this
ungenerous and suspicious policy believe we
! might now have been truly united people,
the southern whites reconciIed to the inevita-
bic, the negro secure 10 his civil rights and at
tanning political privileges as he grow fit TO use
them wisely, and then orth ennobled by victory
! more noble than any feat OF arms-thc conquest
of its own passions. will not argue the I'm
constitutlOnalty Of reconstruction. The al.
most unanimous disirclination of the Republi-
cans in Congress to allow it to undergo the
| scrutiny of the Supreme Court would seem 10
| confirm the reported statement of the late ia
! mented" Stevens, that only two damned fools
10 the party believed the reconstruction acts to
be constitutional Even ii they were so,
should deem them unwise. The Union they
| impose is, to my eyes, no more like true union
| OF hearts and hands than galvanized corpse re.
| senbles healthy man. All the dOngs of men
are governed by the laws OF nature. The at
! tempt to subordinate the trained and able
classes of white landholders at the South to
the poor ignorant, debased, and landless freed:
men, is one OF those futile struggles to repeal
| Gods law by statute with which history
abounds. It must fail, but it is Of great mo-
mcnt that it should be stopped at once Every
day it lasts it is encouraging false hopes in the
negro and rendering a resumption Of true
relation between the blacks and whites more
| difficult. | think that neither the instincts
nor the destiny Of this people will allow any
| permanent domination to the African race in
| any State of the Union. But the Republican
party is irrevocabIy pledged to this idea. They
| have staked their existence as q party on its
| triumph. 70 this idol they sacrificed their
constitutional obligations in the past, and for it
| they must find fresh offerings in the future.
The blacks must have lands and arms and a
| standing army to maintain them IN their false
| position. They are clamoring for them now;
| and tie United States must furnish them.
| The path upon which Congress has entered
! permits of no halt, and retreat is ruin. In
| nv opinion we must begin anew, taking the
| Constitution for our guide and natural laws
| for our Limitations. It is 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 Radi-
calism 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 a
chance-a last chance-ot salvation. IF that
| fails us-if We submit to the whims of ma
| iority without appeal-it matters but little
to me whether it rejoices in the name of
| Republican or delights in the title of Demo
GRAFT It party in the nation may constitute
Itself the sole arbiter of the const4utionality
Of its OWN measures then secession vas iegal |