Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-10-14

Senate and IN the judiciary ana ioreign
service of the government, and the South
rebelled from it. Nor was this majority
made up in any way to the disadvantage
of the South--rather TO their advantage.
Our citizens only were represented in 1t
they had more than the representation
of their citizens--for according TO their
laws slaves were not citizens. The first
thing to be asked, then, is the concession
of State rights--some modification ofthe
right of the majority to rule. This can
not be granted under the constitution
1t cannot be granted without overthrow>
ing the constitution. And if this is not
asked for, then no convention outside the
constitution is needed. We will grant
any convention under the constitution
which our southern brethren may de.
sire.
But getting over, if it be possible, this
great difficulty of State rights and the
rule Of the majority, the next question
will be that of amnesty. What is to be
done with the confederate leaders p
There has been a rebellion, has there
not? Treason against the nation /? The
violent resistance 10 laws, and the denial
nf tho aatborities aud tue constitution
Can we call the action of the confederate
leaders anything else than treason? II
we call it that, then there must be penal
ty or pardon. But will the convention
demand penalty, and in this way COM
promise? Nay, verify, that will not be
accepted as compromise. 1t will not be
that. They will thus condemn them
selves. They might as well come back
under the constitution and give them
selves up to the Supreme Court. viii
the convention ask for the confederate
leaders pardon ? Nay, verify, for the
Southern men will as soon suffer penalty
as abide under the imputation of its just
desert. Pardon is for the criminal-not
for one who has asserted and attempted
to gain his rights. Shall the convention
call the resistance to laws and the con-
and the killing Of thousands Of
our noblest men, right and justifable,
and institute government where the
leaders of the Southern armies and the
fathers and brothers of our dead and
wounded soldiers shall meet in fraternal
embrace ? Never never! Every am
putated limb upon a manned loyal SOL
lier would tremble with indignation 81
very bereaved household will howl
With shame. Every hour of such a ses-
ion of restored country will rage with
PASSIONS. No national business could be |
lone in such Congress. 1t will be
epetition of the Congress Of 1861, with
enfold Of bitterness added. The record
# crime and guilt and blood will live, ifI
lot in the letter of our compact, at least
n the hearts and passions Of our mem
No compromise can blot it out.
Then there are the freedmen and the
laves--what shall be done with them !?
The convention we are supposing must
decide this. Shall the slaves now with
their masters be told that they must re.
main there, and that the master may
hold and multiply his chattels as best be
can? A portion of the loyal men may
argue to this, enough with the confeder-
ates TO make a majority. But what
shall be done with those now free :? Shall
all Of our freedmen's schools be broken
up--all our relief associations, and all
our religious efforts to raise the negro
and save his soul, cease and 90 for no.
thing? Let the tide of the masters
power roll back over the free plantations
of Louisiana and South Carolina and
North Carolina. Suppose this is yielded,
what think you will be the condition of
these half enlightened men who begin to
taste the sweets Of freedom, and to feel
the might of their own power? Then
the colored soldiers, now first taught the
use of arms, and learning that they can
use them as effectually as their lords
Will they remain quiet and meekly see
their children torn from them, and their
wives and daughters made the crouching
ministers TO the masters feet? And
will the convention guarantee that our
Northern soldiers shall fly TO put down
any instruction among these indignant
and injured people which the South may
have occasion to call for? Will our
young men who have fought beside them
at Port Hudson, at Chickamauga, at
James Island and at Petersburg, hasten
to help the tyrant master against them !?
Will the civilized world look on without
indignant remonstrance, it these brave.
loyal freed men, who have fought with
us are permitted, a single man of them.