The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-03-05
WORDS OF WISDOM.
Address OF the southern Repre- sci tasivs
tn the People Of the south.

tn the feOple al the south.
Followingis the full text of the address
of the Conservative Representatives i'm
Congress from the South to their constit-
uents
To he People Of the Southern States.
You have confided TO the undersigned
I'm this conjunction Of affairs the delicate
and difficult task OF guarding in the Fed
eral Congress your public interest, your
rights, and your reputation. You will
therefore pardon the liberty we take Of
addressing you at period so critical upon
matter affecting your destiny and that of
your posterity. You cannot have failed
TO observe the persistent efforts of some
of the leaders of the Republican party TO
revive the aIimosties of the late war.
which happily are fast giving place 10 a
spirit Of concord and unity in every Sec
ton OF our common country. IL is i'm
possible to predict certainly the effect of
these appeals TO passion. We believe that,
through the honest representation of afew
upright and conscientious Federal officers
and agents, an independent and able pub
lie press, and of many citizens, without
regard 10 party, the true condition of the
Southern States and real sentiment Of the
Southern people are being gradually made
known 10 our fellow-citizens of the North.
We hope for their favorable decision when
fully appraised of all the facts. The great
ends Of good government will be reached
whenssthe people of all sections forget that
we have ever been enemies. and come
together as in the early days of the Repub-
lie, emulating each other i'm devotion To
the best interests of tn" country. With
this exalted purpose in view there is
nothing inconsistent with the honor and
manhood of brave people 10 resolve to
suffer with heroic patience, whatever be
their provocations and wrongs. looking
through the fearful present to the hopeful
future, and repelling unjust epthets and
gratuitous insults with dignified moders
ton. Let every white man in every
neighborhood in the whole South regard
himself as a commissioner of peace, MAIN
tanning the kindliest relations towards the
black man, remembering that the respon-
sibility for the extreme poverty TO which
he has been reducad, and the corrupt Gov
ernments to which his vote has subjected
us, rest not so much upon him as upon the
bad men who, with the assurance OF Fed
eral support, have, by appeals TO his worst
passions, sought 10 make him our enemy.
While we labor by all honest means TO
convince him of the truth that our
interest and his are identical. and that both
must be preserved by good government.
us are enemies of both races. let US at the
same time see that he is fully protected In
his guaranteed rights TO vote as he please
in all elections. Let us continue TO deal
with him honestly and fairly and let us
continue cordially TO invite TO our midst
those of any political party who either
seek 10 know the truth or to find homes
upon our soil We do not exaggerate
when we admonish YOU of the dishearten-
ing fact that every street disturbance,
every homicide of whatever character, by
whomsoever committed, by black or white,
Republican or Democrat, such as are Incl
dent TO every community upon earth, is
perverted into evidence OF a spirit of law
lessness and violence, and a purpose to
accomplish political ends. We well know
the gross injustice of such charges which
have weight only where ignorance of our
true condition prevails. Strenuous efforts
are now being made by those who misre-
present you, TO induce the passage by Con-
gress of the most dangerous measures in
order TO irritate our people, TO drive them
10 despair. and 10 provoke them 10 violent
outbreaks. In order TO furnish an excuse
for applying for military interference. We
express the hope that a majority
of the present Congress will not be
found ready 10 sanction such legislation.
III IL DC dccofnpllsUt1. III WOulu DE AZ .-usI
the protest not OILY of tiie Democrats. hut
of the moral worth aaa statesmsDship
here of the party i'm power. and Of such
Republicans rs Bryant, Evarts. Charles
Francis Adams, and Others whose patriot
ism and sense of justice are known to the
entire country. We may. however, mis-
take. The most extreme oppression and
unconstitutional measures may be irnposed
upon you. In such AN event we would
appeal 10 the wisdom and patriotism of a
long suffering people, by every hope Of
the future, for continued forbearance and
hopeful reliance upon the virtue and the
sense of justice of the American people
for the ultimate vindication of our rights.
the protection Of our liberties, and the
safety OF our republican form of govern
ment.
Signed by Senators Goldthwaite, Stew
enson. Norwood, Cooper. Gordon. Ran
som n. Co., McCrary, Bogy. Johnson and
Merriam; and signed by the following
members of the House OF Representatives
Cook. Caldwell. Bell. Bromberg. Atkins,
Waddell, Giddings. IIerndon. Miles. Will
lie. Hancock. Crttendcn, John Young
Brown. Harris Young (Ga J. Whiuborne,
Bright. Grassland. Bowen. Beck. Bland
Adams. Clark, Arthur. Comingo. Dur
ham, Hutton. Hatcher, Gun,er. Glover,
Mclean. Vance. Robbins, Blount, Harris,
Whitehead. Standeford Stone. Sioss,
Young (ky.), Wells NO.. Milliken, Read,
Lamar