North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-09-08
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8, 1868

The New York Sun has the following
for its correspondent in relation to a
conversation with John Quincy Adams,
Jr. Here it is:
"You took run through the South last
year, Mr.. Adams,' remarked. "What
was the result of your observations in that
direction? Can the Republican party re-
tain the control of that section of the
country ?"
"By no means," he replied. GAS fast
as the States have restored to them their
political privileges and rights, they will
reassert their independence of this ruling
power. 1t is all nonsense to suppose that
the labor Of that section will forever SUBJ
ject itself to the control of a few adven-
turers. At present the negroes are kept
in state Of political excitement, and semi
antagonism to the Southern people, for
partisan purposes. But really the negroes
care nothing about politics. If left to
themselves they would scarcely ever as
sert their political rights. Not that l
would have them denied those rights, or
restrained from exercising them; but it is
not in their nature or disposition to care
for them. In the cities they may, and
probable will always take an active part in
party contests; but the mass of the ne
groes, as is we'll known, are scattered in
small colonies on distant plantations, and
after this unnatural excitement passes
away and they.are left to themselves, poll
tics will be the least of their concerns, ,ex-
cept once year, when their employers
will ask them to the polls to vote. Then,
Of course, they will vote whatever ticket
their employers, or overseers put into
their hands. So the political power in
that section will very soon lapse into the
hands of those who have always welded
it. And they are now beginning to see
this inevitable tendency. Hence their
readiness to accept reconstruction under
the present plan. They know that while
set of carpet-baggers are temporarily
placed in power, it is but stepping stone
to their own restoration and political SUI
premacy.
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
"What is your opinion of the prospects
of the adoption Of the fifteenth amend
ment to the Constitution asked.
81 Think" he replied, "that it will make
but little difference whether it is adopted
or not. 1t is inconsistent with the former
portion of the Constitution, and is there
fore invalid If declared adopted, when
the Democratic party comes in power it
will simply ignore it.'
THAT FARCE, THE SUPREME COURT.
"Our Supreme Court" he replied, ISIS
a farce. 1t has no independence. 1t is
under coercion. IL lssss~ Eos sloitsl tLs Eo-
spect due it as separate and coequal
branch of the Government. Its judgments
do not carry with them the weight they
did in former years. They avoid the dis
cussion of constitutional questions under
the dictation of Congress, and have really
no control of such questions. In fact, our
whole form of government has changed.
We have written Constitution, it is true;
but it is almost wholly ignored. 1t has
been altered, patched and amended, until
it is all destroyed, and it is almost a
meaningless instrument. Our legislation
is not restricted by any organic law. AS
Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens expressed it, our
legislation is extra constitutional, or out
side of the Constitution. We have ceased
to be governed by the written fundamen-
tai law, but have adopted the English idea
of an unwritten Constitution, variable in
its character, and adaptable to events as
they occurs
TIE DAYS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
| NUMBERED.
"This revolution has been wrought by
the Republican party, you think?' l in
terposed.
"Wholly so," he replied. "The Dem
ocrats surrendered power in 1861, leaving
the Government intact in its origina
form. Whatever changes have occurred
have been wrought since then, and by th'
party now in power.'
"How long do you think that party vii
retain powcr?" asked.
II think" he replied, "their days ar
numbered. The signs Of dissolution ar
everywhere apparent in their ranks. Tn
work of dsintegration is going on. l
the Democratic party will be wise now, j
can certainly soon gain the ascendency.'
"What course do you suggest as advisa
BILE for the Democrats to pursue?;'
asked.
THE WINNING DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
"Well," he replied, Suggestions o
that point might more appropriately com
from older soldiers than myself. But m
own idea is that if the Democrats wi
adopt their platform to the live issues ,
the day, accept negro suffrage and tt
other inevitable results of the late wa
drop their old Bourbon leaders and tal
up new men not tied to the dead past an
its absolute ideas, the path to victory
now open to them"
GOV. HOFFMAN TO LEAD THE DEMoCRAC
"Whom would you suggest as stand
ard bearer in such campaign?'' aske
"John T. Hoffman, of New York."
replied, promptly.
"Mr. Hoffman has made good maj
as Governor Of New York." said I.
"Most admirable" replied Mr.. Adam
/ "He has exceeded the anticipations of h