The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-26
The Nurfulk gost.
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1865.
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.
CITIZENSHIP.

C1ilLEF Dn3I'
TO tie Editor Of The Norfolk Post:
The Government of the United STAGES,
and the restored government of Virgil
MIA, have restored to the people of this
State, who have been in rebellion
against the General Government, the
rights of citizens on the condition of
their taking and subscribing certain
oaths of allegiance, as test of their
loyalty. BY the establishment of these
tests of loyalty, the Federal and State
Governments concede, in the most posi-
tive manner, that all persons who avail
themselves of the amnesty, do so in
good faith, and thus entitle themselves
to q restoration of the privileges of
which, a participation in the Rebellion
has deprived them. This theory is built
upon the presumption that the thou
sands of Southern men who have occu-
pied hostile position to the Government
of the United States, are not necessarily
void of all sense of moral obligation,
but that whatever they may promise,
under the solemn sanction of an oath,
they will faithfully perform. The vast
majority of the Southern residents OF
Norfolk, have taken the oathof allegi-
ancc to the United States, and to the
restored Government of Virginia. The
question is, are they now loyal or dis
loyal to the General and State Govern
ments!
The man who will ever insinuate that
they are still disloyal, accuses them OF
wiltul perjury, with no evidence to sup
port the charge. Such a man is SLAM
derer, and a liar; and accuses others of
being guilty of the crime of perjury, on
ly because he knows that, under the
same circumstances, he is mean enough
to commit perjury himself. If, on the
other hand, the people of Norfolk are
loyal to the United States and the State
of Virginia, they have all the rights of
other loyal citizens, and should be al
lowed to exercise those rights, free from
the penalty of denunciation of the mis-
cradle pot-house politicians, who assume
to be more loyal than the Government
| itself. and characterize all honest men,
who cannot, from an instinct Ofdecency
| wallow in the same filth as themselves,
as Secessionists, Disunionists, and rrai-
tors. With these ignorant, hypocritical,
and dishonest wretGhes, hOydlW consists
in voting for them to hold offices which
they disgrace; and disiOydtty means
supporting reliable and competent men,
for all offices in the gift of the people.
The authorities of the United States and
Of the restored Government of Virginia,
are pursuing towards those recent
ly in rebellion, course eminent
ly calculated to conciliate the mass
es, and win back their affections
to the government. Inthis they are cor
daily supported by all in the North and
in the South who desire a perfectrestOra-
ton of the Union and the prosperity OF
the nation. In this they are zealously
opposed in the city of Norfolk, as else
where, by disreputable creatures, whose
Observation-Disclosures is their only rule OF
conduct. By such the flag of the Union
has been used but to cover the dishonesty
ofshoddy contractors, contraband traders
and wbislley smugglers. And these are
they whose modesty impels them to the
monopoly of all places of profit aUd trust,
and the prescription of all those who
cannot realize the justice of their claims.
While the Confederatesn held posses
sion they would have resented charge
of " Unionism " as foul stigma on their
loyal regulations. They bought from,
them and sold to them, They bought
for them and sold for them. They were
gents for the Confederate Govern
mentin every conceivable capacity where
an honest penny was likely to turn up
To be sure, they ignored firearms; but
in matters requiring more talent than
courage, they were at the service of the
Confederacy." Supplies for the army
were not scarce while such faithfulagents
Were employed in securing the rural dis
tricts. PriVateers did not lie rotting at
the wharves, while propelled by the capt.
tai of such Immaculate patriots. Dis
Iou0L IniOnists We're none the more safe
when watched by vigilant and saga
cious detective corps.
In thus rendering aid and comfort to the
enemy they didnomorethano Others did or
would have done. The difference is this :
Others do not deny what they did, and
claim never to have offended. Much less
do they seek to prescribe and brand as
criminals for all time their unfortunate
neighbors, who were in the same boat
with themselves. On the contrary, they
make clean breast of their manifold
transgressions, and seek safety in the
amnesty granted by a government
that is powerful enough to be magnani-
NOUS. They have performed the condi-
tiOns Of that amnesty in good faith, and
they will exercise tho rights guaranteed
by the government, in spite Of all the
opprobious epithets that malicious malig-
nifty can heap upon them.
VERITAs.