Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-07-13


Southern States by Congress and Execu-
tive representing only the Northern State.
that is, colonial vassalage and govern
ment by authority Of greater force.
"3l. BY open subversion and usurpation
to establish despotism over North and
South, whilo yet preserving certain re.
| publican form.
'1n replying to one WHO served through
tho war for no other purpose, rs you avow,
than to defend aud maintain the Union as
defined by the Constitution" continued
Mr.. Davis, "there can be no necessity for
considering any other policy than that Of
re>establishment Of the relations of all the
States and their citizens to eaeh other and
the United States Government.
"Eve,y mans experience must teach
him that quarrels between friends are best
healed when they are healed m, st prompt.
lv. The alienation which was at first a
pain becomes by time habitu al, and the
mantle of charity being Withdrawn, the
faults OF each become more and moro dis
tlnct to the other, and thus the Litte1est
hates naturally spring from the ashes Of
the closest friendship.
"lt is therefore probably to be regretted
that so much delay has occurred in the
work OF reconstruction, because Of the en-
hancement thereby of the difficulties in the
way of speedy and cordial reconciliation.
This opinion is qualified AS ''proboble," be.
cause of my want Of recent intercourse
with the people. A short time before the
close of the war the idea was infused into
my people, as you ars well aware, that if
they would cease resistance the Union
would be restored, and all their rights Of
person and property respected, save the
property held in slaves, which would be a
question for the courts. have do doubt
that majority-a very large majority
o: the Southern people accepted this pro-
posed settlement with singIeusss of pur-
pose, and would, if confidingly and gener.
ousy treated, have been now iudustriouslv
engaged in repairing their wrecked fortunes
without any thought of again resisting or
obstructing the General Goverdment in it's
ordinary functions.
allow far the public wealth wound by
this course have been increased, the public
expenditures lessened, may be measured
by many hundred millions of dollars. II
it be true that much has been lost, moral
ly and materially, by delay, it would seem
that true policy indicates the promptest nc.
ton in what is termed reconstruction. The
North says we have done evil, and when
bidding us 'cease to do evil" should not
proven us ''learning to do we'll" This can
only be done by removing all impediments
to the execise Of States functions and the
re-enjoyment of such civil and political
rights as arc left US in the Union.
Each house Of Congress is Judge of the
election aud qualification of its own mem.
bers. The Constitution has settled the
Question OF representation. A consttuen.
cy may lose its rights for a ii me- by selecting
ineligible persons to be its representatives;
but the right Of representation is not i'm.
paired thereby, and the mistake or abuse
may be remedied by new election. Test
oaths are evil continually, and only evil.
They restrain those honorable men who re-.
quire no fetters, while men of a different
class will either take them periurously or
with mental reservation All history
has proved them Intellectual and something
worse.
"Our forefathers emigrated to a wilder
ness, and waged the war of the Revolution
to have and to hold a government founded
on the consent Of the governed. They
consulted aud compromised with each 9th.
or to establish voluntary Union, If that
idea is to be followed, confidence, generos.
ity, fraternity, and not test oaths, disabiIi-
ties, and armies quartered in the interior,
must be relied upon to restore the Union
and make it reflective for the ends for
which it was formed.
Reconstruction" continued Mr.. Davis,
Fcannos properly involve or be made to
depend on those SOCIAL problems which
have arisen from the sudden disruptions Of
the relations existing between the white
and black races In the Southern States.
These problems belong to the several
States, and must have treatment according
TO the different circumstances OF each. No
gsnerai rule dan properly be made applics-
Bio to all, and It will prove unfortunate If
the sptjeet is controlled By distant and but
pooriy.informed, il not prejudicsd, author.
ity. The sslf-iutsrsst Of individuals and,