The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-02-29
THE JOURNAL.
oPELoUsAs, SATURDAY, FEB. 20, 1863
The Height of Kngratitude.

Of allurreasonable clamors which hay
ever been raised by that large portion Q
the human family, who are always com
planning Of something, we think the pre-
tended indignation of the freedmen clas
against the late rebels, manifested in tht
several Conventions in the Southern
States, is the most absurd and unjustifl
able. Tn our Dryades street Conven.
ton there were men who were so silly OIL
50 dishonest as to indulge in the fercest
~objurgations of "the bloodyrebels who
had endangered orr glorious Union, ano
lad furrowed the land with the graves
of the loyal defenders of the Republic,
established by our patriotic sires."
This is certainly the most ridiculous
exhibition of false logic or of supreme
ignorance that has been exhibited since
the war commenced. That the shabby
fellows who were amongthe first and loud
est to encourage the rebellion; and who af-
forwards proved unequal to the dangers
and responsibilities thereof, and deserted
therefrom, should feel the bitterest hos
tility to those whom they had betrayed
is quite natural and logical. But that
the freedmen who, through the obstnacy
and persistence of the rebels, have OBJ
tanned their emancipation and all the
blessings of freedom, should turn against
their benefactors, and acquiesce in their
disfranchisement and exclusion from all
political rights, is one of the strapgest
anomalies of this age. Can any n dis
pute the fact that but for the desperate
tenacity of the rebels in continuing their
fight after they had been warned of the
consequences thereof, that slavery would
not exist in the land? Did not ever Mr..
Lincoln pledge himself and his party to
maintain slavery in the States as it exis-
ted previous to the war, if the rebels
would lay down their arms and submit
to the authority ofthe Union?
Did not General Butler, when he &C.
cupied this city, after Farragut had cap
tured it, recognize slaveryas an existing
institution, and send away General
Phelps because he interfered with the re-
lations of master and slave? Do not
all the orators and chiefs of the Radical
party, in their speeches, admit and de-
clare that the overthrow and extinction
of slavery were due to the reckless OBJ
of the rebels?
The questions being answered afirma-
where do those stand who, hav-
ing gained their emancipation through
The obstinacyo of these rebels now seek
every opportunity to manifest their en-
nifty to these same rebels-their bene-
and best friends? Must they
not submit to be classed either as stupid
dolts or malignant ingrates?
But for the rebellion and the war
but for the continuance of the war after
he warning and proclamation of Presi-
lent Lincoln, slavery would have prevail
I'd Throughout the Southern States. The
Northern Republicans were content that
be institution of slavery should prevail
n all time to come in the States where
t already existed. They only opposed
is extension beyond certain boundaries, ]
lot from any hostility to the principle
nd cxpediency of slavery, but from pure
Y sectional considerations. On that ba-
is they were willing to stop fighting, T
ven after the war had broken out and {
ad made considerable progress. But r
le Southerners, the rebels" would lis '
to no such propositions, and cast the c
'rtunes of slavery on the "hazard of -
leir de-" Nay, insisted on making the Z
sue of the eonquest-slavery or no sla-
cry. They forced that issue, and they
st. They honorably paid their forfeit,
I'd have never demurred to the demand !
the winner. 4
Now we have'a remarkable and NOR !
'ying exhibition of human ingratitude
our denunciation and persecution by G.
ose who have experienced the greatest
'nefts from the issues of the WARY.
. Times. ..+
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