New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-28
THE TRUE REPUBLICANS

4 gular interest to the community, those Of
General Longstreet are of more than ordina-
ry Importance. Weshall make no apology,
therefore, in submitting them to the public.
Calling upon the General yesterday we obs
tanned his views Of the political situation,
which he proceeded to give in frank,
clear, and explicit manner.
Reporter General, / should like to get
! your opinion Of the Cincinnati nominees
with reference to their identity with the
4 Republican party.
General LOngstreet-In my opinion the
| Cincinnati nominees are true Republicans,
/ shall proceed to demonstrate this propo-
/ sition by assuming that the reconstruction
! laws, the acts of Republican legislation,
1 are essentially Republican, and using the
4 State of Louisiana for illustration. The
constitution requires that the United States
shall guarantee TO every State in this Union
a republican form of government. This
statute not only recognizes the State
governments, but commands the enforce
ment in every State of a repub-
lican government; and this is the source
of the authority and power of the recon-
strnction measures of Congress. These
measures recognize the State governments
in the authority from which they spring;
and in the purpOse for which they were or
ment as a necessary unit in the great Re-
publican system, and they coneede that
their authority over the States is limited te
a specific purpose.
President johnson by virtue Of his high
official authority, and upon his individual
responsibility, undertook plan of recon
struction, but it was condemned by Con-
gress and the people because it was with
out the sanction of law. We md, there
fore, that popular opinion and Republican
doctrine establish the rule that State gov
ernmeuts can not be mOlested or subverted
except by law under constitutional prOvis-
ion. 1t follows, therefore, that reconstructed.
under republican laws, restored to q repub-
lican Union, and accepted by Republican
Congress, the Southern States must have
been republican at the time of their restOra-
ton and rehabilitation as integral parts Of
that Union, and those States that have not
since changed their governments must still
be republican;
Louisiana, one Of the States reconstructed
under Republican legislation, and having
the same government that she had when
received into the community of States, with
eOeaual privileges and immunities, must
when the federal officers essayedin January
last to overthrow her civil authority. But
if we admit that her government had beer
changed, we must 90 back to the rule
laid down BY the people before we can find
the right and lawful remedy.
New, the reconstruction measures having
been ratified by the people, they should re-
ceive the respect and observance of all who
claim to be true Republicans. Then, if
there are any Republicans in Louisiana,
they must be found among those who at
the hazard of their lives, maintained the
law and republican institutions. While, on
the other hand, it appears that the federal
lists who conspired together for the purpose
of supplanting the State government sub
new and Unauthorized government, are not
republicans in spirit.
RepOrter-Are they, in fact
General Longstreet-No.
RepOrter-DO not these .eonspiratOrs sup
port General Grant for the Presidency, and
those whom you den6minate true Repub-
Leans support the Cincinnati nomineesl
General Longstreet-Y the former go
to Philadelphia; the latter represented the
State at the Cincinnati convention.
RepOrter-But, General, entertaining these
views, how is it possible that in your letter
Of the twenty-third of March last you recon-
mended President Grant for a second term
General L0ngstreet-Thatl letter was writ
ten under the influence OF peculiar cireum-
stances, and before there was any indiea-
tion of positive preferment for the anti-law
UhElAs Dub ucADIC 4 HLODCG0 " dH cA Ditt1ld-
ton, Imust give you copy Of my letter Of
resignation. Here it is;
CusToMHOUsE NRw ORLEANS
Surveyors Office, March 5, 1872
SRI have the honor, most respectfully,
to submit my resignation OF the otlee of
Surveyor Of Customs at New Orleans.
find it inconsistent with my views Of
sound republican philosophy, to approve
the efforts of prominent federal officers in
~. -s-n1- .osr-
authority Of the State. AS / can not iden-
tify myself with such adventures, III seems
fitting that withdraw from this Office as
soon as yOu may be pleased to appoint a
successor,
L believe the doctrine of secession to have
been a most fallaeiOus one, and one that
should not again be brought before the
American mind; but in the fall Of that doc
trine do not recognize as fact that the
rights of the States as individuals of their
community were involved. On the con
trary, / believe that in those priYi
leges lie the fundamental principles of re-
publican government and that the destFue-
fion of these landmarks would be more
fatal to republicanism than the old idea of
secession. twill not be possible therefore
for me to cooperate with or approve the
attempts to break down or interfere with
the prerogatiYes of State, unless it be by
lawful measures, and for the. purpose of
protecting the State in republican form
of government.
l am profoundly thankful for the noble
act of the President, and his marked per-
sonal kindness in selecting me for a prae-
teal illustration of his readiness to encOur-
age and receive those who recognize and
support the law; and beg leave to assure
you, sir, Of my appreciation of your uniform
official and personal kindness.
am, sir, with great respect, your most
JAMES LoNGsTREET,
Hon. George s. Boutwell,, Secretary of the Treas
ury.
Reporter-This letter, General, created a
very profound interest at the time but it
could not be obtained for publication
Something of the views it expresses was
suspected by the public.
General Longstreet-Yes, / believe so. 1t,
however, explains my position and opinion
though the reasons for resigning seemed to
Be sufficient to induce prompt acceptance,
successor was nominated who had not
been identified with either the federal or
State party.
Reporter-Y0u mean Mr. Parker
General Longstreet-~Yes, and I con-
strued this appointment not to be positive
evidence that the President would claim
the action Of the conspirators as represent
ing his political ideas.
Reporter-After the nomination of Mr.
Parker had you any correspondence with
the authorities at Washington IN reference
to 1T
General Longstreet-Soon after this NOM
ination was made, / received a letter from
a geRtlemanin Washington, who seemed to
have the confidence of the President, assur-