The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-08-22

dispensed with in this struggle any more
than upon The field, and we shall bo short
sighted in our policy if We do not keep our
creed hoad enough TO embrace all such
devoted, patriotic mon within e.
T4IE coLoRED PEorLg or THE SOUTH.
The colored population Of the South,
which has been freed by tho success of our
armies, is also an element whose interests
we are bound to consider with righteous
care. whose rights we are bound TO pro-
tcct with scrupulous justice. Although
ignorant aud degraded by very long sub
lection in slavery, they instinctively knew
that the only hope Of freedom for them, or
Of advancement in happiness and prosperi.
ty, was to be found in the success Of the
Federal Government. They had learned
that war had been begun for the purpose
of riveting their chains. They knew that
tho establishment of the Southern Confeder-
acy was the establishment of their bondage,
and they never hesitated or faltered in
their attachment to our cause, or in their
faith in its ultimate triumph. 1t is with
them n religious belief. Their ignorance
prevented tlcm from knowing precisely
how it would result in blessings TO them,
but they were confident in their faith that
in some way Gods providence was bring
ing good to them out Of the struggle be-
tween their masters and the Government.
Hence they have been loyal. Tohave been
disIoyaI wouIl have been to prefer chains
and slavery to freedom.
ouR DurY TO riE FREEDMEx.
Our obligation TO them grows not out OF
that we have liberated them, but out of the
other fact that we have used their service
as soldiers in the fell, and that they have
borne arms under the same flag which our
white soldiers have fought for, and by
their fidelity and bravery have established
their claim to our gratitude. We, there
fore, must recognize our duty to make their
freedom thing valuable to them. The
hopes which they have cherished must not
be disappointed if we have the power to
fulfill them. The freedom which we give
them must not be freedom in name sim
| ply, but in deed and in truth--a freedom
| which will give them the fullest opportu-
! nifty to make such advancement in ciViliza-
ton and ughteumcnt rs they are capable
of, which shall open for them future in
which the only limit of their progress shall
| bo such as they themselves, in their own
notions, shall impose. These rights are
| the rights of all men. Humanity must be
recognized and it's need of justice awarded
as completely and sincerely in their case
| How this shall be done-n what way the
trucst philanthropy and the purcst re-
verenco for right and justice may mark
out their future career, is one of the great
questions which the successful eud of the
war has brought upon us. | recogniZe as
fully as any one can the fact that revolu-
tions do not 20 backward. The question
is in what direction is the truest progress
for both races, and by what course can tho
greatest degree of happiness ultimately be
secured for all.
THE PROBLEM or RECONSTRUCTION.
The problem of reconstruction therefore,
is how to find a plan, which, without giving
any of those palabc and existing facts to
which have referred, sh Ill prove tor the
permanent peace and security of the whole
country shall be consistent with the genius
and theory of our public institutions, and
shall give TO all classes and both iaces a
full opportunity for advancing toward the
highest civilization, enlightenment and polit.
cal freedom.
The result of the war gives lis tho right
and imposes on us the duty, to demand of
those who have been in rebellion, indemni-
ty for the past and security for the future,
and no one will have tho right to complain
If the resumption of their status in the
Union is made to depend upon the earnest
ness and sincerity with which they avail
themselves of the opportunity given by
tho reconstruction policy of the President,
for them to accept these results of the war,
which have spoken of in good faith.
RIGHTS OF WAR.
As have above remarked, the military
subsection of the Southern country gives
us, under the rights of war, the power to
.tcl,,
dictate. We are Lound, not SO much in
duty to those who have been in rebellion,
as IN duty to ourselves, and consistency
with those principles of republican free
dom which we holl up for example of the
world to make our policy one which shall
ultimately give even to these who have
been in rebellion, the fullest rights Of cit
izenship and participation i'll the Govern
ment, provided their conduct shall warrant
it, and shall prove that the safety OF the
whole country will not be compromised by
50 doing. While wo admit the right of all
citizens TO participation in the Government,
no one can deny the right to dsfranchise
those who have proved themselves incor.
rigihlo traitors, unrepentant rebels. Re-
pu5licauism does not domand that we
should put into any mans hand u sword to
destroy the public life. 1t is by bringing
forth fruits meet for repentance that those
who have been in hostility to the nation
must show that they are worthy to be re
ceived again into that family which they
, have so persstently and dotermiuedly en-.
deOvored TO destroy.
WHAT CONES AFTER SLAVERY.
, Having overthrown the system of slav
ery, rs | stated at the outset, because i
was q crime against humanity, and destruc
tive of the interests OF both races having
brought those who were slaves out from
undor tho iron rule TO which they had beer
subjected, two paths of progress open be
fore us and them. One OF these l'ad'
toward the ultimate separation OF the races
as being human families SO distinct frou
5 each other, that the highest advancement
of both may be found in their separate eX
. stcncc, The other path seeks that civil
I ztion aud advancement, which we unite II
i desiring, by meaus OF The interluSion of th,
!. two races in one political community
{ Hero is no question of absolute right OF
{ principle, but simply one of mutual advan
c tago aud OF practical good, No absolute
rights of man would bo violated by taking
either road, The principles which woul,
actuate us in choosing the one or the othe
y would be the same. The question woult
simply be W ich in view OF the circum
! stances and conditions OF tho problem, il
, the best practical road for them and for us
. TuE PROBLEM or Tug RACES.
/ In determining il, we have to weigh tn
i prejud ces and the enmities of men; III
s antipathics, and even the wicked hatre,