The Republican journal., 1871-11-09
Martial Law in the South.

Could one of the trainers of the consti-
tuition of the United States have been per-
mitted & correct vision of the future as tar
as this day, and beheld in large portion
of one of the States of the Union the great
and sacred privileges Of the writ of habeas
corpus suspended; soldiers hunting the
district over in search of prescribed men !;
the prisons crowded with unhappy vic
tins, and thousa nds, guilty of no crime,
flying from the terror of martial law and
irresponsible military rule-could such q
vision, we say, have been presented,
would not the patriot have lain down his
pen and bowed his head in tears over the
unprOmlslng future? The condition Of
those unhappy people can never be appre-
Grated at the north, until the military arm
is stretched, grasping the sword oyer this
region and we bitterly learn what martial
law means. And even then we should
fail to realize all its horrors. We are not
afflicted with the race of carpet-baggers,
leaving their country for their country'S
good and proving on the unfortunate re.
gion in which they locate. These ;lomcs-
tic disturbances are the opportunities OF
rascals, and have been from all time
When the pot bOilS. the scum comes to the
surface. Out of the fostering corruptions
will grow new crops of Titus Oatses,
ready to swear accusations against any
and all men, where swearing may be
made profitable The Bloody Assizes
and the judicial mi rders of Jeffries spring
as naturally from stlch a condition of things
as rank and noxiotls weeds crown the fes-
tering heap of garbage and offal.
We call special attention to the letter
which we publish to-day from the New
York Herald, a paper which has support
ed the administration from the outset.
The writer relates his personal interviews
with every one wht, conld be supposed to
know officially of the existence of resist
ance to the laws. He applied to prose-
cutting officers, military commandment, and
every body else who could be reached,
and not one Of then could point to sin
gle case of resistance to the laws-not
one. The conclusion is forced upon us
that this extreme measure is taken for
some object that does not appear upon
the surface, and that the political future
OF the President is expected to be secured
by this crusade with military power into a
peaceful district Of the South
1t is contrary to human nature, philoso-
ply and experience that men should
change 80 suddenly and violently as to be
peaceable and law abiding citizens at one
time, and shortly afterwards conspirators
and rebels, without an adequate cause
Fortunately we have the testimony of the
President to the condition of the South in
1860, when he was sent on tour of
inspection through the states lately in re-
bellion. His report to President Andrew
Johnson, in December, 1865, says
I am satisfied that the mass of thinking men
of the South accept the present situation of af-
fairs in good faith. The questions which have
heretofore divided the sentiments of the people
of the two sections-slavery and States rights,
or the right OF a State to secede from the Union
they regard as having been settled forever by
the highest tribunal-arms-that man can re-
sort to. | was pleased to learn from the leading
men whom l met, that they not only accepted
the decision arrived at as final, but, now that
the smoke of battle has cleared away and time
has been given for reflection, that this decision
has been fortunate one for the whole country
they receiving like benefits from it with those
who opposed them in the field and in council
My observations lead me to the conclusion
that the citizens of the Southern States are anX-
ious to return to self-government within the
Union as soon as possible; that while recon-
structing, they want and req uire protection
from the Government; that they are in earnest
in wishing to do what they think is required by
the Government. not humiliating to them as
citizens, and that if such course was pointed
out they would pursue it in good faith. 1t is
to be regretted that there cannot be a greater
commngling at this time between the Citizens
of the two sections, and particularly of those
ntrusted with the !aw-making power.
In some instances, | am sorry to say, the
freedman's mind does not seem to be disabused
OF the idea that freedman has the right to
live without care or provision for the future
The effect of the belief in division of lands is
idleness and accumulation in camps, towns and
cities. In such cases ! think it will be found
that vice and disease will tend to the eXtermna-
ton, or great reduction of the colored race
Now we appeal from U. S. Grant, the
President, drunk with power and fulsome
adulation, and candidate for reelection,
to U. S. Grant, General of the army,
who simply and soberly performed a SOL
dier's duty in reporting the submissive
and loyal condition of the southern people
"a people that he now dooms to unques-
toned Imprisonment, and sends an army
to govern.