The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1875-01-16
WEEKLY HERALD
n. W. BAYLOR, Edltoh



We hail II ~ on omen of release from
the bondage In which the people OF
the south have been held for the last
nine years, and us the forerunner OF
constitutional government TO the peo-
pie OF the American union.
We democrats OF the south appre-
ciate 1t more highly, If possible, than
do our northern brethren. For long
years we have been ground between
the upper and neither millstones OF
unjust local, state and national gov
ernments. We have been plundered
and oppressed by greedy horde OF
army camp followers, who came to our
states for the purpose of taking our sub
stance, of proilting by our misfortunes
and fattening upon our miseries.
We have been charged with still en-
Pertaining rebellious sentiments to the
government, to which we have re-
newed our allegiance in the utmost
good faith; of prosecuting men be-
cause of their color, or of their politi-
cal faith. We have been branded M
disloyal to our obligations, as assassins
and as only waiting n fit opportunity
to renew the scenes of war and the
carnival of blood that SO recently es-
trauged and divided the hearts OF the
American people. This we deDy,and
assert that during all these unhappy
years of attempted reconstruction, we
have given the highest evidence OF pa
thence, forbearance and a determination
to abide the results of the war in perfect
good faith, and to submit to any and
all laws, however cruel, unjust AND
yiolutive of the constitution, appeal
lug alone to the sense of justice of oul
northern countrymen, and to legally
. constituted judicial and legislative tri'
bunals to redress the wrongs inflicted
upon us.
During this time state governments
renewed under the proclamations OF
the executive of the nation, were over
thrown, but not until they had been
made use of to cary certain amend
ments to the federal constitution, fol
sucl purpose recognized as sovereign
and free states but when thus made
use of were declared only to he unre'
constructed rebel provinces in a state
of war, and subject to military rule
Outside of any power in the constitu
ton conferred, congress RENTED the
states to the tender merciss of military
satraps, who had the power and exer'
c.scd it, removing all officers from
governor and supreme judges down t.
coroners aud justices of the peace, ant
placing in their stead creatures Of theil
own selection. These military chief
tains exercised censorship over the
language and manners of the people
and press, destroyed the records of the
courts, toreup Indictments against fell
ons, and relieved murderers and thieves
from appearing TO answer charges le'
gslly preferred against them, by de-
stroying their bonds and recognizan'
ces, and by issuing military receipts
directing their protection and relief
from prosecution.
In violation of The most sacred pro-
visions of the constitution, and in di
rect conflict with the decisions Of the
supreme court Of the United States, oul
citizens were seized by the military
aud, under laws of congress, impris.
oned and tried by courts martial
Hundreds of southern people Ian
guished in prison for many months, tc
be tried and convicted before such un'
constitutional tribunals, and often on
imaginary charges, supported only by
suborned testimony.
Private property was taken without
compensation under the threatening
power of the bayonet, and by the dis
reimbursement of the mass of the peo'
pie constitutions were coerced upon us
disgraceful to enlightened statesman.
ship, blot upon the American char.
acter, and the very mockery of free
government. Corrupt state govern.
ments were forced upon us, taxes were
piled mountain high upon an impov'
erislied people, and state debts incurred
which it will require long years O
good government and prosperity to en-
able the people to pay.
We wish to forget not only the un
happy years of the war, but the still
more unhappy ones that have inter
vened since. The democracy of the
south desire that the hearts of the
American people, north and south
east nmd west, should once again bs
terminated with the same devotion t.
the constitution, the union and tnt
perpetuity of the government that
brought them into existence, and con-
stitutcs the glory of the American
name in the proudest days of Ameri'
can hist Dry. Let the bitter, desolating
unhappy past be blotted out forever
o., the common altar of our country's
greatness, liberty and perpetuity, lei
~ renew our pledges of devotion to the
principles of Washington and the early
fathers.
our political enemies charge that the
de mocratic party is anti-progressive.
We trust it may never be pro- ressive
ia bad and unconstitutional govern
ment, but that twill bea party of pro
gress in the future as in the past In de-
veloping the material interests Of the
country-every section Of it. We have
no doubt that it will he the party OF
progress to protect and defend every
section Of our common country, and To
bestow equally on every portion the
blessings and benefits of government.
its past history is sufficient guarantee
of this.
We of the south desire to assure our