Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-21
Then and Now.

| fhiihutlphia konncff@t'' WV" wv
veniiou, August 18th, 1866, denounced
the reconstruction policy as unconsiiiu
tional, revolutionary and void. 81
seems to u.s." he said, "in the exercise
of the cslmest and most candid judgment
We can bring to the subject, that such
claim, so enforced. involves as fatal Al
overthrow Of the authority Of the Con
stitution and as complete destruction
Of the Government and Union, as thai
which was sought to be effected BY the
States and people in armed IN
surrec,iou agains, them both Again
"we need not stop to show thai
such action not only finds no warrant in
the Constitution, but is at war with every
principle Of our Government, and with
the very existence of free institutions
And again: "Nor do these extravagan'
and unjust claims, on the part OF Con
gress, to power and authority not con-
ferred upon the Government by the Con-
s,itutiou, ind any justification in the ar
euments or excuses urged on their be-
half" And still again: "Such an exer-
else of power is simply a usurpation;
inst as unwarrantable when exercised by
Northern States as it would be il exercised
nv Southern, and not 10 be fortified or
| palliated by anything in the past history
either of those by whom it is attempted
or of those upon whose rights and liber-
ties IL is TO take effect. 1t finds no war
rant in the Constitution. tits at war with
the fundamental principles of our form
of Government. II tolerated in one in
stance, II becomes the precedent for tu-
ture invasions of liberty and constitu-
tional right, dependent solely upon the
will of the party in power"
And yet again he said
And if that confidence and loyalty
have been since impaired; If the people
of the South are to-day less cordial 10
their allegiance than they were immedi-
ately upon the close of the war, we be-
lieve it is due TO the changed tone oil the
legislative department OF the general
Government toward them; to the action
by which Congress has endeavored to
supplant and defeat the Presidents wise
and benefcent policy of restoration to
their exclusion from all participation IN
our common Government; to the with
drawal from them of rights conferred and
guaranteed by the Constitution, and to
the evident purpose of Congress, IN the
exercise of usurped and unlawful au-
thority, to reduce them from the rank Of
free aud equal members OF a.repuohc oil
States, with rights and dignities unim-
haired. TO the condition Of conquered
provinces and conquered people, in all
things subordinate and subject TO the
will of their conquerors; free only to
obey laws in the making of which they are
not allowed to share.
No people has ever yet existed whose
LOYALTY and faith such treatment long
continued would not ALLEVIATE and impair.
And the ten millions of Americans who
live in the South would be unworthy citi-
zens Of a free country, degenerate sons
of an heroic ancestry, unit ever to be-
come guardians of the rights and liberties
bequeathed to us by the fathers and
founders of this republic, if they could |
accent. with accomplishing submissive
ness, the humiliations thus sought to be |
imposed upon them.
We do not quote these utterances OF
Mr.. Raymond for the worthless purpose
of showing how inconsistent he is with
himself in now advocating the interests
of the same party which proposed the
Reconstruction policy, and seeking to
place in power the men who initiated and
stand pledged to carry it out. The con-
sistency and record of the individual
man is to us matter of very Insignificant
importance. But we quote because the
truth Of what he then affirmed remains.
1t will be externally undeniable.
But he now contends, with many others
at the time of his address holding the
same views, that circumstances have
changed, and that the South is not suffi-
GENTLY humbled These men contend
that the utlerances of the Southern lead
ers prove that they cannot be trusted;
that the "loyalty and faith " such treat
ment as the South has received and which
has been "long continued " has alien
ated and impaired. Aud hence " humil-
iations thus sought to be imposed on
Them" Mr.. Raymond and his coedjutors
now argue should be enforced, as neces-
sary to the public safety. Such treat
ment these men now think the true
national policy, to which if the ten mill
lions in the South should submit, they
would be unworthy citizens of free
country, degenerate sous of heroic an
cestry, unfit ever to become guardians OF
the rights and liberties bequeathed' to us
by the fathers and founders Of this repub'
lie
And why all this change Of Northern
public sentiment? The answer is that
Hill, Hampton, Forrest. and others, have
spoken in the language Of freemen. The
FIRE Of liberty has not been burned out of
their bosoms. Imprudent, forsoothl
They have proclaimed their fidelity to
the Constitution. They have kept their
paroles four years They have pledged
honor, fortune, life and fealty to the
Union. They have proved themselves
men of unsullied probity-that they sp-
preciate liberty, respect the rights of all,
obey the laws, desire to live in fraternity,
and are noble ornaments 10 the galaxy