The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-25
Aiming the South.


In the discussion in the House of Represen-
tatives on Thursday last, on the question Of
bringing to an end this session Of Congress,
DIR. Stokes (radicaD, of Tennessee, earnestly
pleaded against an adjournment until the new
authorities OF the reconstructed States shall
have been provided each with certain quota
of arms proposed for their defence against the
Ku Klux Klans and the unreconstructed rebels
generally. Said Mr.. Stokes :-''My people are
expecting every moment that Forrest Forrest,
We believe, is at Long Branch) and his rebel
democratic crew will commence making war
upon them. This is a matter of life and death
to us. / am satisfied of the fact that we will
need these arms at the South at very early
day. The war cry has gone forth; the rebels
say they will rule the country or exterminate
the Union colored men, and, for one, am
disposed to meet them" Mr.. Washburne, of
Illinois, was afraid of this thing-afraid that
the arms which might be sent down to the
loyal negroes would be seized by the rebels.
Mr.. Boyden, of North Corolina Zone of the
new members from the South, was alarmed at
this proposition to send arms to his people to
be used against each other. ''Great God" he
exclaimed, 1--WE cannot afford to Eight each
other. Keep away your arms. Do nothing to
irritate our people, but everything to assuage
and heal the excitement. l warn the House if
arms are sent there we shall be ruined-we
cannot live there. If we need anything in the
shape of arms, in Gods name send us the army
Of the United States but do not arm neighbor
against neighbor." This has the ring of good
sense and honest conviction. But another re-
publican member from North Carolina, Mr..
Deweese, was not of this way of thinking.
Said he :-'Some provision should be made for
the governments of the new States and for the
protection Of their loyal people, otherwise the
rebellion will be re-established. If Congress
adjourn now, before the end of six months the
last traces of republican governments in the
South will have ceased to exist and the Ku
Klux Klan, the rebel, the slaveholding, cop
perhead democratic party will be ruling there
as they ruled in 1865" Further, as the skir-
mishng debate went on, Mr.. Deweese de-
clared :-"Under the rule of the democratic
party from 1861 to 1865, every musket, shot
gun and horse pistol was taken out of the
hands of loyal men and put into the hands of
Southern sympathizers." But with his fearless
war cry of ''Come on! come ont" Mr.. De-
weese, arms or no arms, signifed that he was
ready for the fray.
From this debate it is evident that the recon-
struction system of Congress has not with
their restoration secured peace in the States
concerned, that they are in danger of vio-
lent clashing of the two races on the with
drawal of the United States troops, and that
the State authorities recognized by Congress
in those reconstructed States feel that there
is no safety for them if left to shift for them
selves. Where lies the difficulty? 1t is to be
found in this Congressional experiment of
Southern universal negro suffrage and rebel
white Acknowledgement. And where lies the
remedy? 1t may be found in that new amend
ment Of the constitution, known as article four
teen, restoring to each Of the States, South as
well as North, all alike, the right to regulate
suffrage to suit themselves. Meantime the
duty OF preserving peace in the States re-
stored devolves, next TO the local authorities,
upon the President and upon Congress. The
members of the two houses want to get of
home, but they cannot trust the President after
his late vetoes and proclamations, and they
have no time to impeach him, and they are
afraid to try this proposed experiment Of dis
tributing arms to these new State governments
So the two houses have resolved upon recess
till September, and then, if they can find
nothing better to do, we may expect to hear
something more on another impeachment of
Andrew Johnson. The Presidential campaign
is very stupid and fiat just now, but we shall
doubtless have excitement enough before the
Sd of November.