The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-06-29

the wants, to the requirements and pro-
gress of the people, and the enlightened
spirit of the age. Now if any of your
secessionists have lost faith in mans ca
pability for selfgovernment, and feel un.
fit for this great right, 60 straightto reb'
eldom, take Jeff. Davis, Beauregard and
Bragg for your masters, and put their
collars on your neck.
SLAVERY DEAD.
"And here let me say that now is the
time to recur to those fundamental prin-
ciples, while the land is rent with anar-
chy, aud upheaved by the throes OF a
mighty revolution. While society is in
this disordered state, and we are seeking
security, let US fix the foundations of the
government on principles of eternal JUS
.ice which will endure for all time. There
is an element in our midst who are for
perpetuating the institution of slavery.
Let me say to you Tennesseeans and men
from the Northern States. that slavery is
dead 1t was not murdered by me- |
told you long ago what the result would
be if you endeavored to 90 out of the
Union to save slavery, that there would
be b'oodshed, rapine, devastated fields,
| plundered villages and cities Therefore
| urged you to remain in the Union In
trying to save slavery you killed it and
lost your own freedom Your slavery is
dead, but | did net murder IT, As Mac.
beth said TO Banquo's bloody ghost:
.'Never shake thy CORY locks at me,
Thou canSt not say did it,
"Slavery is dead. aud you must pardon
NE if do not mourn over iis dead body
you can bury 1t out of sig't In restor,
ing the State leave cut that troublesome
aud dangerous clement, and Use only
those parts of the machinery that wilt
work iu harmony.
HE BELIEVES IN EMANCIPATION.
"Now in regard TO the blacks, | want
to say that liberty means liberty to work
and enjoy the fruits Of your labor. Idle
ness i, not liberty. | desire that all men
shall have fair start and an equal chauee
IN the race Of life, aud let him succeed
who has the most merit. This, | rhink,
is principle Of heaven | am for eman-
ciDatiou for two reasons fist, because il
is right in itself, and .ecoud, because in
the emancipation of slaves We break down
an odious and dangerous aristocracy. |
think We are freeing more whites than
blacks in Tennessee | want TO see LA
very broken up, aud when its barriers are
/ thrown down, | want to see industrious,
thrifty eml grants come pouring in from
all parts Of the country. Come on. We
need your labor, your skill, your capital
/ We want Jour enterprise aud iDvention,
50 that hereafter Tennessee may rank
with New England in the arts and me
chan cs, aud that when We visit the pat
cut Office at Washington, where the iD-
ingenious mechanics of the free states
have placed their models; We need not
bush that Tennessee can show nothing
but a m"use-trap, or something Of about
as much importance. Here is sol the
most fertile for every agriculture de-
Iighttul aud healthy clua,e, forests, wa
ter power and mines Of inexhaustibie
richness come and help US redeem Ten
ne>see aud make hera powerful and four
ishiDg State.
RECONSTRUCTION.
But in calling a convention to restore
the State, who snail restore and re-estab.
lish it? Shall the man who gave his in-
fuence and his means to destroy the Gov,
erumentY Shall he who brought this
misery upon the state be permitted to
coutrol its de>tinies? Ii this be so, then
all this precious blood of our brave sol
diers and officers so freely poured out
viii have been wan'oulv spilled, aud all
glorious victories Wen by our noble armies
will 90 for nought Why all this carnage
aud devastation? It was that treason
might be put down and traitors punished
1herefore I say Mat traitors should take
O back seat III the aeork Of reconstructicn
II there be Ju fire thousand men IN Ten
neSsee. loyat to the constitution. loyal TO
treedon,, loyal to justice these true and
faithfui men should control the work of
reconstruction and reformation absolute
Y | say that the traitor has ceased to
be a citizen, aud IN joining the rebellion,
has becon.e public epemy. He turfeire,l
hi, right to vote with loyal n.ep. when he
renouucdd lis ci'iEensbip, and sought to
destroy orr gcvefnAent.
I'VE say 10 the most honest aud indus
trious foreigner who comes from England
or Germany to dwell amous Us aud to add