The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-30
From the Brattleoero Phenix.
Reconstruction af the .SOutk.---Ne-
gro Suffrage.

DEAR SII with the armies of the
tonfederacy annihilated. great work re-
mans TO build upon'the ruins Of VAN
quiShed aristocraey the stable and life-giv-
ing forms Of democracy II will require
as profound craftsmanship 10 reconstruct
civil government as il has lofty patriotism
and greatness of generalsllip TO crush out
the armies of the rebellion. The people
are losing sight of the Importance OF Judi
ciouS action and firmnesS Of purpose in in
stituting measures for the reorganization
of states lately in rebellion. in their eNul-
taiion at the prospect of the speedy return
ofpeaoe anu prosperity, The South has
been conquered; the people who have 80
rauntlnglv bOasrcd that they never
could he suhlugated,' are ncw governed
by the strong arm ofmilitary power Ar
istoeracy has been crushed 10 the earth.
but unless ii iS ,aGil,d thsrs i. Viii rise
again.
The people of New England, the great
mass throughout the Union. but slightly
understand the animuS of the South
They are still proud and naughty, armed
rebellion against the 'nited States no
longer exists in the country east OF the
Mississippi river. but the spirit that caused
the rebellion still remains, The intelli-
gent men who have fought in the rebel
armies. the great landed arisiocrais. the
capitalists, the leading men throuehoui
the South kIte and 3eJss the Union S1ill.
The North were idlv led 10 believe al the
commencement OF this Stru@rle thai The
majority of the South were in faror of the
Union Four wears OF war have demon
strated the f:llseneSs OF this po>iiion,-
Rebels are rebels still The American
people should understand this. and prepare
TO act accordingly. 1Speak from obser-
walton. and know the force of what i
write One would think from the hauoh-
ty and arrogant manner which character
ize> the rebel officers that h:.ye returned la
Mobile and New Orleans since the ~urren-
der OF Dick Tavlor, that they and not the
unasSllming heroes in blue We're the con-
querors. The same spirit MAS manifested
among the citizens of Mobile; prominent
men sill asserted that . the South were
not and never could be >'lblugated.~ The
majority OF the people OF the South look
now upon the Union with the most in
tense hatred. If they cannot now he al
lowed :. state rights" and other popular
aristocratie dogmas. ther viii fight again.
This Is. indeed, an idle boast but it
shows the spirit sill dominant They
may take the oath of ALLEGIANCE TO SAKE
their property. and 10 gr.lSI, AGAIN The rein>
OF power. bun for no other purpose. ;snl
once again invested with political rights.
they viii attempt 10 thrust still deeper the
dasger of discord and rebellion into the
vitalS of the republic II Is impossible fer
Northern men who hlye not been brought
IN direct contact with The South. II real
ize the intensity of this haired This Is
all-important just NJ this moment. when
there i such Il disposition 10 be lenieni
with traitors We must @uard we'll our
Liberties hereafter From what | have
seen | am convinced that a new element
of power will have 10 he brought out in
the reconstruction of states; an element
that can neither he caiolcd or compelled 70
give moral or political aid 10 any who
have ever borne arms against the govern
ment. or aided and encouraged the rebel
cause. Treason should he branled-madc
infamous. Rebels in arms have fought.
4 majority of them not against their will.
as most Northern people suppose. 10
bleak down this government, and TO give
them the rights OF franchise again. * 10
place in their hands powerful auxiliary
for mischief The planters and iniiuen-
tial men who have Sent their sons 10 yrar.
and have amasSed fortunes hv ii. will on-
ly seize upon the rights ot citizenship IA
further their ambitious and nefariouS
schemes. Can we trust these men a~ain
Shall the returned soldierS and officers of'
Lees. JolnSton's and Tavlor'S armies now
return 10 the ballot-box and elect traitors
10 Office Shall we not rather withhold
from all who have in any WAY al itsl the
rebellion the proud privilege of again be-
coming citizens OF this great and glorious
republic, until they have cvinoei hy words
and deeds that they viii sin no more -
With traitors upon our fia:lh>. ami foes I'm
our front. 70 whom shall we turn, upon
whom Will the great work of recen>truc-
ton devolve. Upon the loyal ftw who
have remained true Ia the flag, and the
misguided. ignorant men who now see The
folly of their wavs and embrace the first
opportunity of renewing their ALLEGIANCE 10
the Union they once 80 dearly lored But
those two classes constituted but a small
portion OF the people of the South En-
tend the right of suffrage 10 Only half thai
will claim it, and the balance of power
Will he largely In the hands oi the enemies
of the country To counter9ici this influ-
ence and 70 give the loyal the pSrponler-
ance the welfare OF the country demands
that great political stride be taken.
Away in the background stands a silent
but not IN inaitentive or inactive Specta-
tor. Humble lac iS, yet all through the
contest his heart has been yearning for
the Union True, Is he no; Tel me
We halt-famiSheil. hali-na>ed forms fleeing
from their horrible den- of human suffer
inc at Richmond and An;lcrsomville, has
he ever BETRAYED you into the hands of
YOUR pursuerS. or refused 10 give YOU food
and clothing Tell me. ye who belcld