The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-05-27
WHAT ARE WE TO DO:

The Democracy Of Montgomery coun-
ty, Ohio, led by Mr.. Vallandigham,
have enunciated platform Of prin-
ciples for the Democracy, which is just
now receiving considerable attention.
Our faith in Vallandigham is not of the
strongest, but his programme appears
to be backed by the sanction of the peo-
pie of his county, and is therefore sig
nificant as popular Democratic view
of the political situation, as it now pre-
sents itself to the Northern Democracy.
Perhaps the safest platform for the
South is, to concede to the Northern
Democracy the privilege to fight the
coming battle upon such terms and
with such leaders rs to them shall APP
pear the most certain to secure Radi-
cal defeat. The tide Of usurpatiOn and
oppression must be turned back by the
popular voice OF the North, if we of the
South are ever to regain the lost heri-
tage of constitutional liberty. But its
course has yet to be checked. Let those
best acquainted with the elements nee
essary to be dealt with in arresting the
progress of Northern Radicalisnl, select
the means and men hest adapted to
their purpose.
The leading feature in the Eallantlig-
ham programme is, to take the results
of reconstruction as fixed and final, and,
therefore, to consider all the questions
Cow, No Lost L.,
be buried forever. This is the feeling
of the people, for however reluctant the
masses may have been to cease fighting
the great wrongs forced upon us, still
there is no inclination to fight over /,
question that is settled.
We, as a people, have long since dis
missed the slavery question, and would
not to-day have it back if we could
The idea of placing the colored race
back into slavery has only been agitat
ed by the carpet-baggers to poison tho
mind OF the negro against us. 1t ha:
been to them fruitful source Of power
and is now one of the great levers by
which they are to continue in power
numerically slandered on this question
and for no other purpose than to crush
them. We boldly state to-day to al
the world, that the Southern people
would not have the negro population
back into a state of slavery, even if they
would come back voluntarily.
We have no disposition to hazard tho
chances of victory, by thrusting into
the coming canvass an issue AS to thu
status of the reconstruction amend
constitution, only to be got rid of, n:
Ealiandigham suggests, 'hy repeal o1
modification" or made imperative by
the refusal Of Congress to pass laws en-
forcing their provisions. The question
of negro suffrage has been settled, ana
will remain settled until a second rcvO
luton undoes the work of the first
No legal, or civil remedy, is likely ever
to be discovered to eradicate the abuse.
of the elective franchise now in exis
believe that these abuses will finally
result in fratricidal strife, but, mean
while, we of the South, not being res
ponsibie for their existence, should pre-
pare for recovering lost ground, and fol
the approach Of the second grand catas
trOphe.
The letter of John Quincy Adams, t,
be found in tO-day'S issue, contains very
much the same counsel to the South AZ
that contained in the Montgomery
friend to the Constitution who is abov,
the tricks of II deInagouge and place
hunter, and who has at various times
shown his friendship for the Southern
people. He is also shrewd observer
of men and events, and is thoroughly
read in the history of political parties.
What he tells us from his New England
outlook lis something worthy of consid-
alton.
1t is interesting to notice the evident
discontinue of the Radicals at the
prospect of having to fight the battle of
1872, without the powerful aid of
Northern fears and prejudiceS for the
safety of reconstruction. 1t has been
the likelihood of that party, and hence
their gaspS, groanS and agony. Let
them agoniZe, say we, and let the
Southern people unite with the con-
sentative elements of the North To pre-
vent new usurpations of power and to
place honest, upright, Hberty-Ioving