The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-13
WILL THEY STAND BY THE RESULTS or
- - RECQNSTRucTIQN --------- -

except the expulsion of their party from pow
er, and the establishment of Democratic
ascendency in the government Others will
pay no more respect to the results of recon-
struction, as things not open to question or
reversal, than they have heretofore paid to
the provisions of the Constitution of the
United States, or to State or National insti-
buttons under the sanction of that instru-
ment, when any of these happened to
stand in the way of their unbridled lusts
aDdEvehement animosities. We refer to that
school of Republicans who, heretofore, un-
der distinction which has indicated little
practical difference, have been more espe-
cially designated by the name of Radical. 1t
may be reasonably assumed that Butler, Gree
ley, Sumner, Phillips, will be hereafter among
the foremost opponents ofthe latter class; and
among the papers which we may expect,
judging from their present utterances, to
represent the views of the former class, are
the New York Times and the Cincinnati
Gazette Is both these journals profess to
see in the President elect non-partisan, and
promise, in tone of quasi-oficial confidence,
that his policy shall be essentially conserva-
tive, and his administration the guarantee of
wholesome repose in respect to the results
OF reconstruction, it is interesting to note in
what way they expect for the country, under
the presidency of Grant, to arrive at a salts
factory adjustment of matters which have
hitherto been dangerous and pernicious ele-
ments Of domestic distraction.
1.-THE country wants political settlement
and repose," says the Cincinnati Gazette.
"The election is the settlement of the recon-
struction policy. That is now fixed, and to
adhere to that is conservatism. We may pre-
sumo that the Confederate Democracy will
accept the situation and will now conform
their manners to it. And we suppose that
when they come in good faith to exercise
their political privileges under the laws, they
will find that most of the hardships of the re-
construction policy were of their own crea-
ton. Finding that there is no longer any
hope for new revolution, they will see that
it is for their interest to establish friendly re-
lations with Gen. Grant; and there are no |
people in the world who can adapt their man.
ners to their interests with more facility than
the Southern"
The Confederate Democracy, if by this |
name are meant the Southern opponents of |
those violent and fraudulent impostures Gre
ated under the pretext of civil reconstruction,
have not found, and are not likely to find,
that most of the hardships of the reconstruc-
ton policy were of their own creation. But
they are beginning to learn, by very emphatic
experience, that in Louisiana and some other
States these hardships are not absolutely in
superable, that it is possible to turn the en-
CINE invented for their oppression against
their oppressors, and to secure considerable
measure of prosperity even under the recon.
structed Constitutions. And those things they
believe to be practicable without invoking
against tyranny the stern but irregular JUS
lice of revolution, and without establish
ing other than friendly relations with Grant,
t he is not Radical partisan and sincerely
desires peace and repose for the country.
some OF the conditions of this righteous and
'alutary work, however, lie beyond their con-
roll But before we specify them, let US look
It these remarks of the New York Times
The opposition will be compelled to modify its
tactics. Instead OF relying upon the Intervention
u the President or the power of local organize |
ion TO put down the new order of things. it will
De constrained TO acknowledge the limitations of
ocsl law In any further agitation for chang
me hope OF ext:aneous help must be alb andonsd.
The means indicated by the State Constitutions
viii be seen 10 be the only means permissible in |
ne premises. Reliance upon peaceful reform will
axe the place Of dependence upon revolution. |
he fact that the people of each reconstructed
'tate now control completely their own aft ,irs,
icing once recognized. the system created by
congress will, for the first time have fair trial.
me sy stem OF recor struction per Sc as q thing
uo]ect TO executive or congressional action, will
ease TO be debatable; and the efforts of those
rho are dissatisfied with its operation will be
,rected toward ordinary methods of amendment.
ne present status OF the colored people will in
his way be gradually conceded, and Democ ATTIC
OPTICIANS will be driven in self.defense to RELY
pon their cooperation for carrying out desired
notifications of local law. The effect must he !
avorable to a gradual abatement of the prevail
le hostility. An acceptance of results will be
stituted for resistance to the agencies By which
icy have been produced.
H. however, the Southern extremists are hence
'rth 10 be required 10 accept the situstion and to
ontne their efforts to legal channels IL is evident \
lat corresponding restraint should be plscsd
pom those who, for different reasons desire still
Keep reconstruction an open question. Both
asses OF extremists ought TO be subject to the
lme rule. If those of the South are to abandon
lie hope and plan Of disturbing what has been
or rather to employ only the means =.
rovded by the several constitutions il follows
at the agitation threatened by Northern extrem-
is ought also to be discouutenanced. There can 1
} no reasonable expectation of maintaining re- :
as finality, so far IS the action of
e federal government is concerned unless the
lvocates of perpetual change in the in crest of ,
are made to learn the lesson of L
lisnce upon other powers than Congress for the
tsinment Of their ends.
With the most cordial alacrity are the
'uthern opposition prepared to abandon the
'pe of extraneous help. In fact, they have
'ver called for any exterior aid. 1t is the
rpet-bag and scalawag usurpers who, con-
ious of the emptiness of their pretensions
d of the fimsiness of their tenure. have Il
lined for assistance from without, and ls
We trembled like aspens when they ceased p
be fenced round with federal bayonets and =.
t but one gust of the rising blast of public
Union.
The Southern opposition, on the contrary, :.
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