Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-02-16
TIE LuLL.

quished retire, often with more respect for the foe than was entertained before the test of strength and endurance. It is so in political warfare; parties and their leaders array themselves in the strongest arguments their cause afford, and arming with all the minor influ- enoes that may or may not attach to some great scheme, engage for the mastery ofthe position, while it often happens the cause of truth and justice are borne to the ground. But short while since the two great parties of our country met upon the issues that then divided them, and the colors of the Democratic party that had so often been carried to victory were struck, and with them seemed to go down the hopes of their followers for just and impartial administration of the nation al affairs for another termsof years. But hope is ever exultant, and
 Truth crushed to earth will rise again.
 The present ultra Radical party that has acquired the asccndancy by the most unholy uses of the government patronage. illegally wrested from it's proper source, and by bold and haz- ardous departures from the constitu- ton and the old landmarks, in which the most despicable tyranny has been exercised oyer the people of the whole country by the illegal enactment O! laws that denied ten States of the Un ion voice in this general verdict. now begins 10 feel its insecurity and to have little more respect for the principles of right and justice 1t has so biindly ignored. The leaders of the Radical party now begin to see some of the errors they have committed and are trying, in some instances, to retrace their steps. But it is from no humane promptings of the heart this action comes. They find that by keeping alive the fires of hatred and revenge in the North, by which they may have power to crush and humble the spirit Of the South they are pulling down ruin upon themselves. They have no love for us. They would gladly wipe out the last remnant of the native Southrons and ruthlessly destroy and eflace every vestige of the glory that the sons of the South have wrought for this country-which reproaches them with shame wherever they turn--but they dare not. They would deal with us as the barbarous Assyrians did with the captive Jews. Like tho Mos- lem fanatics of the East, they would use the sword and torch to engrast their own heresies and blasphemics upon our religion. But the dawn of truth approaches, and they must needs rehabilitate themselves with different armor. They arc burdened with Q load of public debt that cannot be car ried if the south is kept in condition 10 render no assistance. Their great bankers aud financiers are now assert ing that no solution of the financial troubles that does not recognize the aid of the South will prove successful They demand that peace be given to the country by doing her the justice that has been withheld, and allowing her to perform a part in the great task through the wonderful resources she has at hand.
 Parties. like nations, when they be- come powerful, from q too free use Of that power grow corrupt and begin to show signs of decay. The Radical party has grown powerful in very short period, nursed to that strength by the (to it only) adventitious cir cumstances of the war. By this sud den acquisition of power, and at time when it was almost impossible to head-oif corruption; growing 10 it's full strength, too, al most at once, its decay commences with it's very rise.
 There is lull now, since the giant contest of November, and the Radical party know how powerful is the strength of the opposition, and know, too, that a broader platform must be built or they will be defeated in the next great contest. They fear univer- sal suffrage and universal amnesty, as it will give the South the balance os power; and yet they dread the conse- qucnces of withholding from the South her right to'a voice in the councils of the nation. ln trying to inflict this kind of punishment upon the South they destroy her power 10 bear her portion of the burdena of government, makes it unstable in every respect, while discontent will rise against the administration in the North. This is the dilemma in which the Radical par ty finds itself after it has reached it's supreme height of power. Whether they will incorporate some of the Democratic principles into their party, and somewhat modify the violent tone of their legislation toward the South that they may go before the country in different light remains to be seen from the action of the next Congress. The change is demanded by too many considerations 10 pass pnheeded much longer.
 THE PRESIDENT ELECT.
 The fourth of March will soon be here and after it comes the inaugural address and message of the President elect. These documents may probably throw somc light upon the course to be ,ns.s,,cd by oilr next executive. 1t Is