Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1873 — A Late Repentance. [ARTICLE]

A Late Repentance.

We should be glad to think that the sensible and well-constructed resolutions of Mr. G. T. Beauregard and his associates represent the real designs of the Louisiana Democracy. We miss in them any strong sense of the flagrancy of past errors. Some expression of lasting regret for the cruel deeds qf their recent . associates might have been expected, some desire of atonement to the white and colored Republicans who have so long labored for freedom at the peril of their lives and fortunes, some contrition for those sad events that have covered the recent history of Louisiana with an imperishable stain. Yet possibly all this may come. We have never believed that a majority of the white farmers and merchants of the State shared willingly in" the acts of their more guilty leaders, or that, had tlicy possessed sufficient courage, they would not long ago have thrown off the rule of that desperate faction which was plotting the ruin of Louisiana. If they can.now boldly carry out the policy suggested in these resolutions; if they can give peflecTlreeU dom and peace to the community; if they guard as jealously the'privileges of every white and colored Republican as they would their own; if they insure'to the immigrant, the capitalist and the stranger that courteous welcome, irrespective of his political creed, which is the crowning trait of every Republican community—they will do much to repair the ravages of war and the still worse consequences of the eight years of terror and violence that have succeeded the rebellion. But we cannot bind ourselves to the fact that it is by deeds rather than words that this reform must gain the confidence of the nation, and that the doubts and fears that will still attend it can only be removed by the test of actual experience. It will require an earnestness and a selfdenial on the part of its supporters which we shall be the first to honor if they are faithfully rendered, time to prove- its reality, and such-rigorous justice upon every offender against the laws as will give perfect safety to life and property. The white colored Republicans of Louisiana have been the chief if not the only victims of the eight years of misrule, and it can scarcely be expected that they will at once accept the assurances of their persecutors, or lose their claim upon the protection of the national government until it is plain that it is no longer needed. They will watch with a just scrutiny the progress of reform, and if it succeed, Will repay with their gratitude and esteem the labors of every sincere friend of peace. As they belong chiefly to the working -classes, from them must come the future prosperity of Louisiana; and it is only when labor is duly honored, and honest industry preferred to barbarous sloth, that any State or nation can win confidence or credit. We confess we have a necessary distrust of the professions of the opposition leaders at the South, so often have they deceived the people by promises of amendment, and so steadily have they pursued their design o,f ruling by force or fraud; so cruel anti' barbarous has been their treatment of their laboring class, so destructive their policy to the higher interests of their section. Education, morality, peace and justice have disappeared wherever they have gained the control. We trust, therefore, that the Louisiana reformers, if they desire success, will keep themselves wholly free from any alliance with that faction which began the disorders and violence at the South; or which fostered them at the North; that time, the test of truth, will show that they entertain no political object but the restoration of freedom and equality; that they may be able to touch the hearts of their associates with remorse for their past cruelty, and awaken them to repentance. When they have done this their Republican fellowcitizens will not hesitate to award them a proper confidence.— Harper's Weekly.