The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-05-10
Henry Ward Bescher and the Freed
men.

It is one of the few hopeful signs of
the times that all the better sense of
the North is becoming alive to the dan
gers of the Radical government, its in
justice, its lawlessDess, and its disas-
trous effect upon country. Nearly ev
cry day some great men among the
Republicans steps to the front, bursts
asunder the .iackles of party, and
bids the administration halt in its mad
career of folly and crime. Prominent
among these protestants We find the
distinguished divine, Henry Ward
Beecher. In the Christian Union Of
last week he comes out with leading
editorial in stern opposition to the ku-
klux bill, now pending in Congress.
The article is entitled "Where Are
WEI" and sets ont with the pOstulate
that the six years which have elapsed
since the civil war ended have been
practically wasted, aud that the pro-
cess of what may be termed and coer-
Give reconstruction has been an utter
failure. Then follows the concession,
made in the most manly way, that the
local carpet-bag governments have
been disastrous and corrupt" "This
says Mr.. Beecher, "Only partially IN
dicates the official knavery and incom-
petence, the elevation of demagogues
and dnpes to the highest offices, the
gross debasement of politics from
which the South still suffers. Before
the war, it was Characteristic of this
section that its best men-tl,ose of in
telligence and character, and high So
cial standing-engaged in politics far
more generally than the like class mt
the North. State and local offices were
to a great extent filled from this class.
Almost to u man, they were comprO-
missed by the rebellion. AS their pre-
vious positions had very generally in
volved taking an oath of allegiance to
the United States, the legislation of
Congress has excluded them from
political rights and bonors. In this
way the oldest and most trusted lead
ers Of the Southern communities have
been shut out, from a direct part in
public affairs. Say; if you please, that
these men deserved punishment for
aiding the rebellion. But none the
less is the loss to the body polite of
it's most experienced cOunsellors a
grave misfortune. None the less does
the exclusion of their trusted chiefs
breed alienation and b tterne 8
throughout the old population. So
far as their place has been taken by
men from the North, these have not
generally shown themselves expert
either, III the art of government or OF
cOncilintinD the DeOn,pH
Not only is it conceded that the
local Radical governments have been
failures, but that Federal action has
proved itself incompetent, and that
now, more than ever, it is SO. for says
he: Show can men be expected Il
give peace aud harmony to the South
who are not able to keep their hand!
from each others thrOats I"
This promised, the actual MEASURE O
coercion which has passed both Hnnse,
IF Congress is tearltssly considered. l
is pronounced "fagrantly unconstitu
! tional." Mr. Beecher says, elf ONT
thing is clear in the original organiza
J ton of our political system it is tina
crimes against persons, aud propert!
are to he dealt with by the States. !
, one thing is forbidden by the Constitu
ton, it il that the National Executiv
, should exercise unlimited authorit
over any section of country wlleneve
he sees fit! The pretext by vh ch it j
J sought to ryade those barriers, rot q
, the letter, but If the very spirit of on
organic law, wonld Justify any evasi"
, or overthrow whatever" He denie
with equal emphasis the practical sue
} cess of military coercion, even it, as n
one imagincs will he the case, tue arm
} were increased to 100000 men, and b
aft ms the only chance for immediat
: and ultimate success to- be Cancellation
"The attempt to secure order an
morality in the South by Fedora
; suasion, at this day, is an impertinenc
not to I've tolerated. Justice and orde
in the Southern States are exceedingly
desirable, hut they cannot be imp0rte'
! thither. The bayonet and the con
science are never good friends. 1t ma
) he needfnl TO maintain the FRAMEWORK
: of society and the form of government
, by force. Bni that done, force cannu
> make men kind, just, generous q
maceable. Even If force could wOr
, obedience, to use force upon such
scale in time of peace will essential
change the nature ofOur government
2 and that is too large price t" pay f.
! order in hundred Alabamas or Louis
. anas."
) With an earnest and evidently SINGER
e application to the freedmen of til
+ South" naturally the object OF NJ
2 Beecher's affection, not to allow then
selves in masses to he swayed
. manipulated by alien intriguers, b,
'.to break up and freely informing
a with the various political elements {
r the country" this very remarkable a
. ticle ends.-[Sayannai, Republican.
t n General Carroll Tevis. Of Philade
e phia, of brevet rank in the American a
= my, and who commanded division i
;, B0urbaki's force. has returned to Paris, {
: his way to Join his family in Englan
= covered with aurels, and decorated wi
i the Cross Of the Legend of Honor for b