The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-08-09
RESTORATION.


! To The PEoFLE OF GEORGIA. | .eel pro
legation which | am under to you for the
manifestations of you kindness and conf
! dence which | have so often received
AT four different elections you have honofed
me with your suffrages for the highest po-
siiion within your gift, and | have 10 the
best of my ability represented you in the
iexecutive office for nearly eight years
While my duties have been o! the most
Ia5orious and trying character, feel the
consciousness thai have labored with an
honest purpose TO promote your best inte-
rests. ThatI have committed errors is not
denied, that they have been Intentional,
your conduct has shown you do not be-
lieve.
During the period of my administration,
the country has passed through most try
ing ordeal. The great qdeslions at issue
between the NorIh and the South having
failed TO find peaceful solution in the TO-
rum OF reason, have been submitted for de-
cisiou 10 tie arbiirament of arms, and the
judgment has been against us in the high
est tribunal known among nalions. The
contest has been long and bloody. Each
parry has learned TO respect the manhood
and chivalry of The other. But ihe South
has been overconesby the superior numbers
and boundIess resources OF the North. We
have no further power OF successful resist
ance, and no other alternative but 10 accept
the result.
The Government: OF the United States
having refused to recognize or tolerate the
Stale governments which have existed Tn.
der The Confederate Constitution during the
ernofs of the States, | was arrested and
imprisoned after had surrendered the
Georgia State troops and militia, and had
given my parole upon the same terms al
lowed TO General Lee and General Johnston,
and had eceived from the Major General
70 whom the parole was given, the usual
pledge of the faith of The United States, that
was not 10 be moles,ed so long as OBJ
served the parole and obeyed the laws in
force prior TO January 1, 1861. Upon the
fact being brought before the President of
the United States, he ordered that be re-
leased upon my parole, and permitted to re-
turn home.
am embraced in one OF the exceptions
in The Presidents amnesty proclamation.
have received no pardon, nor have taken
any oath, nor am permitted to resume The
exercise OF executive functions. was in
tie executive office prior 10 the commence
men, of lhe war, aud by the Constitution of
the Stale then IN exisance, il is declared
that I shall hold till successor is chosen
and qualified. have ielt i, my duty to
announce these facts TO you, and as I can
be of no further service.to my State, by at
tempting to hold the office Of Governor, l.
hereby resign ii into the hands of the peo-
pie who have so long and so generously
conferred it upon me.
While taking leave of you and retiring TO
private life trust that it may not be con-
sidered inappropriate forj me 10 add few
remarks upon what consider the true in
;erests and The duties of the people OF Geor
gia in the present hour have lately passed
through several of the Northern States, and
b ave been in some Of their largest cities;
have read their newspapers closely; have
had interviews with public officials high in
authority, and have taken pains to ascer-
tain both the policy OF the government and
the popular sentiment of the country on
the subject Of emancipation of the slaves of
the South, and | assure you there is no di-
vision ol opinion upon the subject OF imme>
diaie abolition. 1t is decreed alike by the
government and the people They have
The power, and hey are determined 10
exercise il, and TO overcome all obstacles
which we may attempt to throw in the way.
Indeed, they treat it as an accomplished
fact, under the proclamations of the late
President, issued as war measures necessa-
ry to the life of the government. AS mai
ters now stand TO fight against it is 20 con-
lend against manifest destiny. Besides,
slavery has been SO disturbed, and the
slaves SO demoralized during the war, that
il is a matter of great doubi whether they
could ever de kept in a state of proper sub
ordination, and the insti:aiion made profit
able in future.
Under these circumstances the question
arises, what shall We dol Nolhing that we
can do will prevent the result, and il is my
opinion that any effort on our part 10 ihwart
the government on this great question, will
only add 10 our misery and our misfortune.
The statesman, like the business mao,
should take practical view OF the questions
as they arise, and do for those dependent
upon him the best that can be done, under
all the circ umstances by which they are al
the time surrounded.
Applying this rule TO our present coudi
tion, and remembering that revolution and