The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-06
o sneer at their old fogyism in wishing IT.
and at their presumption in asking it. with
the same measure you mete unto others IL
shall be meted to you.
Silence Broken.

Silence 6TOh0H.
For several months the nation has been
intently listening to catch any sounds from
Gen. Grant which might be taken as an ex-
preston of the oracle upon American des-
thy. The South particularly is extremely
interested in the sentiments which may
animate the next President in her regard.
If he should be an ardent partisan, or q
plant tool of Radicalism, we might reason
ably look for further aggressions, upon con-
stitutional guarantees and local rights
Prescription and Acknowledgement would
extend instead of contracting their sphere,
and we all know that political disfranchise-
ment means subsection to plumber and ruin.
If, on the other hand, the President elect
should determine toexert his influence and
use his authority in the interest of general
prosperity; as Chief Magistrate, not as
party leader as a patriot determined to
restore union of fellowship, not as a bigot
bent on gratifying low envy and narrow
minded spite, then the whole country would
breathe more freely, and we should feel
great-confidence in the speedy and perma-
.nent restoration of political equality.
Well, the oracle has spoken at last. The
occasion of this communication with the ex-
terror world was indeed, merely the ne
cessity of writing to the War Department
but the topic happened to be one which
called for SOHO allusion to the South. Gen
Grant opposes any marked reduction of the
army, and gives as one reason that troops
are yet needed in the South.
We have looked in vain for learned COM
mentaries in our daily press upon this off,
cial intimation from the Fates. So many
deductions could be drawn and such pro
found arguments evoked from this commu-
nication, that the absence of comment or
the part of long expectant press is sur.
prising.
On the one hand, how portentous the
declaration that % troops are still necessary
in the South - The General, then. sympa
thizes with Radical views, and adopts Radi
cal slander as the condition of things here
Law cannot make itself respected military
repression is still necessary; reconstruction
| is not completed in the Southern States.
On the other hand, read the letter care
! fully through. and totally different i'm
preston may be made. No increase of tn,
army is proposed, and gradual reduction
| is contemplated. The mode is pointed on
| for procuring this reduction prudently, b.
failing to recruit and by the non-appoint
ment of second lieutenants, as well as b.
consolidation of certain corps.
The sangu;ne will see, in this, yer
hopeful condition of mind on the part G
the President elect as to the prospects G
speedy pacifcation. BY the system whie
he suggests, depletion of the Southern fore
would be very rapid, as he contends tina
none of the diminution contemplated ough
to affect the forces in the field against tn
Indians. The general expression frs
used in opposition to reduction of the arm,
might be considered merely n polite c
polite concession to the clamor of q part
which had been made useful, while the de
tails afterwards given could be suppose
to indicate the private feelings and convi'
! tions OF the writer.
In default, then, of clearer data and I
newspaper commentaries. each one must sti
expound the oracular Indication accordir
; to his own temperament OF skill
r BISHOP ELDERS LEcTURE--Our reade
will remember the lecture, to be given tn
Sunday evening, at St Theresa's Chure
: by the Right Rev VIM. H. Elder, Bishop
: Natchez- The subject is a historical on
from an intensely interesting era, and tt
scholarly eloquenoe of the learned Ieetur
: will be sure to present it in a most attrac
c ;~a -a,h EDtrsnee will h. free The lie