The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-07-21
WHOLE NUMBER 1850

color in the South, no small part of them
carrying the best white blood in their
veins, must be either an educated, indus
trious, land-holding, arms-bearing, tax
paying, voting, self-protecting population :
or an untausht, indolent, objectless, dis
franchised, helpless and debased popula-
! tion-the substratum of proud, restless,
unrepublican, political and social aristoc-
racy. The President has undertaken, in
certain of the rebel States. an experiment
for speedy restoration. Recognizing the
general policy and duty of restoration as
soon as practicable, the experiment COM
mands our earnest wishes for its success
by its success we mean-not the return of
the States to their position: that they are
only too ready to do; but their return
ush Constitutions IN whieh the pablo safety
and public faith shall be secure We cannot
conceal our apprehensions that the expert
ment will fail But let not the Republic
fail. The more recent SIGNS are that the
spirit which caused the war is preparing
to fight over politically the ground it has
lost in battle This ought not TO surprise
us. Let no haste TO restore a State, no
fear of rebel dissatisfaction, lead the Re
public to compromise its safety or its
honor,
During the progress toward restoration.
the nation holds the States in military oe-
cupation, by powers resulting necessarily
from successful war This hold upon
them is to be continued until this or some
other experiment does succeed. We need
not be precipitate. The present authority,
although resulting from war. may, as we
have said. be largely exercised by civil
methods and civil functionaries. and be
accompanied with the enjoyment of many
civil rights and local municipal inStitu-
tions, executive and Judicial If the
present experiment fails, we may try the
experiment of building by the people from
the foundation. by means of municipal in
Stitutions of towns and counties, with the
all of education. commerce and immigra-
tion, new spirit being infused and the
people becoming accommodated TO their
new relations. and so advance gradually
tc complete restoration.
This is but one suggestion. Various
methods are open 10 Us. Only let it be
understood, that there is no point at riacl
the reiek ous DEFY. poLtla!ly, any more thai
thy coua IN r,Ir, the authority OF tie repub
h.. The end the nation has in view i:
the same as that for which the war wa.
accepted and prosecuted-.Le resoration o.
tie .StHs> to tier kytimate rsaltioas ,r4ta ta
repuJEc. The condition of things calls fol
no limitations of time or methods. by
whatever course OF reasoning it may b'
reached. upon whatever doctrine of publ,
| law i. may rest, however long may he TN
, interval of waitinI. and whatever NAV 10
| the process rcsorted to. the friends an,
enemies of the republic should alike un
der~tanI. that it has the powers and vii
Use the means 10 insure final restoration
| of the States. with constitutions whicl
are republican, and with provisions tha
shall secure the public safety and publ,
, faith.
. Boston. June p, 1865.
The report is signed 10y the officers o
, the meeting At Faneuil Hall and by til,
following gentlemen who were appointe,
a committee TO prepare the address: Rich
!, ard H. Dana. Jr., Theophiiu> Parsons
Charles G- Loring. John g. Whittier. ia
, cob NJ. Manning, Samuel g. Howe, Geo
l.. StearnS. William Enlicott. Jr.