The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-06-01

Letter from John Quincy Adams.

LeIteT lTOM JOiLh TuihoJ AuanS'
The st Louis Republican publishes the fol-
lowing letter, received in that city from John
Quincy Adams, late the Democratic candidate
for Governor of Massachusetts:
QUINCY, May 6, 1871.
4. Warren Kelsey, Esq.-DEAR SIR have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt of COM
munication from you enclosing two extracts
from newspapers, upon which you request my
criticism and / infer from your letter that you
wish to learn my opinion upon the public
questions discussed in those articles.
You are quite welcome to know them II you
are willing to accept them as simply the specu-
lation of an individual. represent nobody,
and do not boast follower in the world; nor
do I know that my notions are shared by any
considerable portion of any party.
The people of the United States feel instinc-
lively thas they are going wrong, but they are
told that it will be dangerous to retrace their
steps. They know that the path upon which
they entered is beset with pitfalls; but even a
bad pass is better than the precipice. The
sweep of reaction is stayed by the dread of rev.
olution. The policy of shrewd Democrats and
the duty of good citizens is to dispel the apPre-
henson, no matter how foolish it may seem to
them. Short of honor and good faith no sac
rifce should be deemed severe which would
suffice to lay that haunting spectre. For that
reason deplore the halting, hesitating step
with which the Democracy is sneaking up to
its inevitable position. For this cause L share
your regret at the studious ambiguity which
seems to search for sally-port through which
to dodge its destiny. And while l better Like
the spirit, 1 equally condemn the policy OF
those who only proclaimed their purpose OF
revolution. Such indications of sentiment an
>11, boo
tion fraught with great danger to the dearest
interests of us ALL The dominant party can
retain power which has grown too great for
the public welfare only by an indefinite extern
sion of the moral conditions Of the civil war
The Republican organization can rally to no
cry but slogan and conquer under no standard
but spear That party needs strife to insure
its success, but good feeling is necessary for
good government.
Now, the hostility to the Fifteenth Amend
ment is the stock in trade of the fomenters of
strife is worth gratifying at the risk of perma-
nent subjection? The South is CALLED to-day
not by the presence of that amendment to the
Constitution, but by the utter absence of the
Constitution itself. They feel Congress which
assaults them, but they find no Constitution to
protect them. Is it not silly, then, to squabbe
about an amendment which would cease to be
text?
1t is qubbling upon technicality of law
and relinquishing the substance of liberty.
The Constitution was struck down by the as
sault upon Sumter, as all constitutions must
necessarily fall before the face of the supreme
arbitrament of war. 1t can never be lifted up
while war is fragrant. The people will never
resign the attitude of hostile vigilance, which
is the real significance of the present admins
tration, until they know that no one of their
war trophies is longer disputed Then they
will gladly resume the habits which they love
and the good nature which they repress. What
then is the meaning of the grotesque contor-
tions of those who profess fonduess for cam
els and yet strain so fantastically at this gnat?
For the essence of all Democracy is equality
nothing but the equality of all men before the
law. Equal and exact justice to every man,
and each to share in the government of all.
That is the only genuine Democratic doctrine.
But who dares face an intelligent, people with
that testimony upon his lips, and denounce
measure which is too democratic for Demo
Gratis only because the enfranchised are black?
Surely the Northern Democracy should not be
forced into such stupidities by the CONSCIENTIOUS
scruples oftheir Southern brethern. Difference
is doubtless due to their constitutional qualms,
and yet some lenity towards revolutionary pro-
cesses of amendment might be reasonably ex-
pected from supporters of secession. five can
condone the fault is it too much to ask paroled
prisoners of war to pardon it?
No You have given our cry, Universal am
nesty and universal suffrage" 1 would only
add the constitutional Union of the States.
For the old Constitution is just as good as it
ever was, for South as well as North, in spite of
the marks of the mailed hand which must re-
main upon it for warning to those that come
after U.S. There is nothing in it now which is
not perfectly compatible with the happiness,
welfare and liberty of all the people of the
States It is only the administration that is at
fault, it is the Interpretation which is violent.
Do YOU imagine that Thomas Jefferson, do you
think that James Madison would say their old
organic frame permits protective tariff or pa
per money authorizes national banks or presi-
Dental diplomacy (; countcnances military tri,
bunals; Capitalization, and the crowning and
perfect infamy of the Ku Klux Bill?
1t never was the Constitution which invaded
or conquered State; it is not the Constitu-
tion which oppresses the States. 1t was war.
civil war Close the war, and you restore self
government to the people of the States. If they
cannot secure their own peace and happiness,
let us look around next year, not for the next
President, but for the first Dictator.
Now if you or any other man doubt the
soundness of my judgment in this matter, all
ask is true Democratic administration and
you shall see it for yourself: /.
Yours, very respectfully,
JOHN @. ADAMS.
AN HONEST REPUBLIcAN.-We make the