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

| Those who have known the southern
heart" when "fired" will answer-never
never
The first condition towards agreeing
to an armistice, il the democrats could
ever get conference with the confeder.
ate officials, authorizing to negotiate for
a convention, will be the demand to
withdraw all our forces from confederate
soil, and to disorganize every association
for arming, working, teaching or civiliz-
ing the freed negroes. The Girl 6a'0
must of course be kept in operation, aud
left without interference by the Federal
army, and this will reclaim again every
freed negro to slavery, and assert its au-
lhorty over Southern soil, roads and
water courses. Are not these difficulties
practically insurmountabe But sup
posing these could be surmounted sec
ondly, how shall this convention be con-
stituted In one Of these ways certain
~ The two governments may come as
equals, each by its Congress or execu-
tive appointing an equal number to
make up the convention. This might
be acceptable to the confederates. But
viii any loyal man--any lover OF his
country-submiI the great question to
come before such a convention-to n
body of men made up Of equal numbers,
selected from among the rebels and from
the loyal men Of the nation Much
more, would the loyal voters Of the ma
lion ever ratify questions so decided p
Will twenty-five millions of people put
themselves thus on a level with five
millions, ard abide the result? Will
they abide peaceably under laws or a
mended constitutions thus made? Or,
avoiding revolution and violence, will
they not reverse the settlement of the
questions in dispute when next they
come to the ballot box2
The convention may be formed by
formed, from the respective States. In
this case the Northern States will have
majority. Will The South submit their
grievances to a convention with North
ern majority? Just as we'll might they
come back into Congress and settle
these questions there-ihat is all we
ask for the u. S. Senate is Just such a
convention, and no measure can become
a law until the Senate by majority
agrees to it. Moreover, on this State
rights basis for convention, what shall
be done with Maryland, West Virginia,
Kentucky, Tenf essee, Missouri, Arkan-
las and Louisiana Who shall decide
be character of their delegates !? There
ire in each of them two parties-in most
If them two organizations claiming to
De the authority of the State. If only
one is represented, which shall it be, and
who shall decide If both are repre-
,ented, the doctrine of State rights is
destroyed. This method of constituting
he convention is impossible. The ma
Iority Of the citizens in each section may
send delegates. This again will give
the South a small minority-not more
than one four,h-for if such a conven-
ton, outside Of the constitution be called,
the South cannot have the benefit Of
their slaves to increase their representa-
ton as in Congress. They will fare
worse than if back in Congress, where
we all desire to meet them under the
constitution. But they Seeded to get
rid Of the rule Of the majority 1t is
preposterous to suppose they will sub
nit to such a convention now, and the
more when Congress is still open to
them if they will abide its authority,
where more favorable terms are secured
to them by the constitution. Are rot
these difficulties in the way constituting
convention thoroughly Instrumental
BILE ?
But supposing that they could be
overcome, then let us look at the difficult
ties that will meet the convention in its
efforts TO settle the difficulties between
the Two parties. What are the griev>
ances TO be settled OF healed ?
The Union men have none, save re-
rebellion. They had none before the
war. They abide by the constitution
and the laws. Let the South lay down
their arms and submit every question
that can arise to the legislation of Con-
gress, and the decision of the courts, we
will abide tho will Of the majority
When that displeases us, only attempt to
reverse il by seeking to instruct and per-
suade the people, and thus to give a ma
jority and change in our favor. The
loyal men have nothing which they need
or desire TO submit to any convention.