Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-12-31

THURSDAY, DEC. 81, 1868.


RECONSTRUCTION IN FLoRIDA.-lhe
work of reconstruction" has commenced
N Florida in good earnest, if we may
Judge from an account of meeting held
At ST. Augustine on the 10Th inst, given
by correspondent OF the Tribune. The
meeting was large and enthusiastic one
Of the loyal people. Judge d, r. Dun
ham presided, and on taking the chair
appealed TO his fellow-citizens, with whom
he had resided for more than twenty
years, to rally around the old banner.
which everywhere was the symbol of
good government, of justice and of
freedom. To its protecting ags were we
indebted for all our blessings. When
mad ambition and wicked rebellion struck,
woes unnumbered followed.
q. l.. Robinson, Vermonter known
to many of our readers, but resident of
Florida for some years previous to the out
break of the- rebellion was one Of the
Secretaries of the meeting. A series Of
patriotic resolutions were unanimously
adopted, among which were the follow
ing:
Third: That the resumption of Fede-
raj relations ia the Union with such re-
forms eff State Constitution as will make
future secession and rebellion impossible,
is the first interest of Florida and the
first duty of the citizen.
Fourth. That among these reforms we
recognize as foremost IN importance that
of recognizing the fact that ALL persons
m the State are FREE, and providing by
fundamental law that SLAVERY shall be
henceforth prohibited and next, that of
preventing the exercise Of the elective
franchise by any person who has been en-
gagged in the rebellion against the United
States, and has not satisfactorily estab-
hshed his fidelity to the National Govern
ment and its laws.
Fifth: That we will proceed at once
10 the organization of Florida under the
Constitution and Laws of the United
States, and to that end invite all loyal
citizens who will take an oath of allie
giance to the Constitution of the United
States in the terms following, or in equiv
salent terms, to assemble in their respect
i've election districts and vote for members
sf a Convention to amend the State Con-
stisntion with vew to the early restora-
ton of the State to the Union:
FORM OF OATH.
l. a.. b., do solemnly swear that /
will ibaar true faith and allegiance to the
Constitution and Government of the
Uri,ed States, any law, constitution or
ordinance of any State to the contrary
Notwithstanding that | have no part and
will take 40 part in the existing rebellion
against the Government of the United
States, and will in no way give aid, COM
fort or countenance to any person engaged
therein that will obey and observe all
the laws of Congress, touching Slavery
and the conditions Of Slavery, and all
Proelamations of tho President of the
United Stgtes relating to the same sub
ject and that | will 30 what in me lies
to induce all others within the circle of
my influence to do the same.
An earnest and eloquent speech was
made by Judge Stickney, concluding as
follows:
"The brave soldiers who are here, and
who are to come here, are the first born IN
the land. Surrendering ease, comfort,
the endearments of home, they volunta
rily offered their lives upon their country's
altar, that the nation may live. But a
soldiers vocation is not yours. The
Union army will drive the rebel from the
soil of Florida, CT conquer them into sub
mission to the Constitution and laws of
the United States. You are to organize
civil government, and to SO organize it
that secession and rebellion will be inn
possible in future. A government of law
as contradistinguished from the bully and
the bowie knife--a government which
will protect honest men and punish bad
men--a government under which the gen.
tleman without character or money, but
with his pockets full of pistols and
knives, must migrate or go TO the work
house.. Finally, with the declaration,
you anxiously inquire: Will the Presl-
dent abandon us to our enemies? No I!
/ repeat it, MOI He cannot He would
not if he could! Patriots, good men and
true, everywhere, are with you. God is
with you, and you will never be forsaken."
Nothing. marks more wildly the change
wrought by the shareholders rebellion
than the fact that we receive almost daily
accounts of anti-slavery meetings held in
nearly all the states where it was the
fashion not long time ago to hang, in
stead OF listening to, an "abolitionist."