The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-13
MISSISSIPPI.
Entimidating COlOrcd VOters-RecOn.
structiOn In the state.


MIR. A. G. Brown, formerly a prominent
member of Congress from Mississippi, has
written letter to the Jackson (Mis7.) CidrjOa
IN winch he endeavors to show from personal
observation that no hing like intimidation was
attempted against colored voters az the receut
election in that State, or more especially at
tie election at Crystal Springs, in CUpah
couuty-'' unless it be assumed.D says Mr.
BToWD, that refusing to give employment is
iuumldation." After uolng much twa1de in
vain attempt TO justify refusal to give employ
ment to worthy men because OF their partisan
sentiments, Mr.. Brow re urns to the subject of
reconstruction, which be discusses 10 VEN OF
common sense which is quite refreshing to
read. He says:-
l do not know many of the leading men in
Compress. The few that do know well, 1 am
satisfied, will do us justice If our case is fIiry
laid before them. Among them are Wilson Of
Massachusetts,, Wade, Trumbull, and Chandler
OF The Senate, and Bingham OF the House. Our
people bave been made to believe th at these
gentlemen are our enemies, and chat they are
pursuing us in malignant spirit, through a
mere love OF vengeance. ! know them we'll,
aud do not concur in that opinion. They
know that we fought them like men. Convince
them that when we laid do Rn our arms we did
SO in good faith; that when we confessed our
defeat We acknowledged the permanent over.
throw OF slavery and of the right Of sece, ,slo1,
and that we are now sincerely dcsrous
OF resuming our position In the Federal
Union, not to disturb is harmony
but to contribute all our euergies
VI
Do this and the Republican leaders / have
named, and doubtless many others, will be as
ready TO receive Us as we are to be received
But am asked, how are we to convince them !?
l answer, by acknowledging our own weakness
and the power of the Governments; by strict
compliance with the terms of reconstruction
proposed by Congress, That is all. We 81 I'll
have 1t TO do. Then why not do 1t Wlthout so
much mouthing ard hesitation? Do we II 1T
perceive that 1t l. thus very mounting and hesi
non that keeps alive the suspicion that we are
not loyal? And this renders our situation more
critical, not to say day by day more despera e.
am willing to have it known at Washington,
as II is at home. that l opposed tue ratification
of the CoDstitutio submitted ut the June eleC.
lion, not because it contormpd to the &C on gres-
siopai plaD," but, DISTINCTLY, because Il dld not
Whenever a consttu ion is submitte1 in strict
con ormity to that or any similar ''pIan" that
Congress may propose, ] will a lvocate its
ratification. For be 1t known, that | ackno ".
ledge the power and the rtght of Congress,
speaking for the conqueror. to dictate terms to
the conquered. IT in doing this it violates the
Federal Constitution, our appeal is to the
Supreme Court. If it violates the laws of
humanity, our appeal is to the judgment of the
world. Beyond these appeals, we are absolutely
without remedy, We tried the bullet and lost
we tried the ballot and lost again. / cannot
be mistaken in supposing that a very large
majority of our thoughtful and deserving people
concur with me in the opinion lha5 We can do
nothing but submit and as we have it to do,
'twere better TO do it quickly. Very truly,
your obedient servant, A. G. BROWN.