The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-09-05

amnesty would be voted not by q two-tniros
vote merely, but by one absolutely unani-
nous. For my own part / have looked up.
ON the terrible experiences of the war itself as
the best possible safeguard against future
rebellions, and as hold the protection OF the
community to be the chiefobject in punish
ing political offenses, have regarded IN
flictions of any sort upon whole classes OF clt-
zens as unnecessary and therefore unadvisabie
remember that Hallam high authority IN
the philosophy of history, has declared tnat
F." clemency is the standing policy OF constl-
'tutional governments, as severity Is OF des-
potism," and that the great Lord Chatham
adopted the bold yet, as it proved, most
safe and wise policy of raising Highland
Regiments from the lately disaffected clans"
soon after the last effort OF the Stuarts TO re-
cover the English throne. Rebellion had be-
come chronic in the mountains OF Scotland,
and through three generations the Highland
men had lost no opportunity of disturbance.
Their fathers fought under Montrose tor the
dethroned family, and the grandsons were out
under the romantic Chevalier, yet as soon as
they had learned the lesson that the Govern
ment was too strong for them-and more
than twenty years afterward, when oar re-
yolution again brought up the question how
yankees should be dealt with, the old states
man, who was our advocate, referred with
pride to his policy in regard to the clans, ex-
claiming "they were reclaimed by this
means /" Every American must bow with
more than ordinary respect to that authority.
l know that the same spirit pervades the
Union Party, and every honest observer
must admit that the most earnest advocates
of universal amnesty have been found
amongst those known as the extreme radi-
calls.
If we look for difference fpolicy be
tween the Administration and the Union
party on the subject of the basis of represen-
tation. we shall fail again to find anything
essential. The suggestion of the one was that
representation based upon votes would be
equitable. the other has embodied that idea
in section of the proposed Amendment.
Where then shall We find collision of
planss On the proposition that the States
are not dead, and that the right of represen
tation is an inalienable attribute of their ex-
istence, am told. deny totally that the
Union party in word or deed has committed
itself in opposition to that doctrine. tits no
secret to any of you that have advocated
the immediate admission to Congress Of 10y
al representatives as rapidly as such should
be duly elected and present themselves, and
have not been unobservant of the action OF
the party in regard to the question. Whilst
/, therefore, in common with you all have
witnessed much debate on this subject, and
know full we'll that strong efforts were made
to secure another result, yet the fact remains
clear to all who will see, that such efforts
failed, that no theories were adopted, but
that the strongest possible practical pledge
was given in the case of Tennessee that the
acceptance of the terms have been describ
ing would be followed by the immediate adj
mission of Representatives and Senator'S If
any one complains that this was not done
sooner, l shall only ask of what use is it to
discuss that point. The vital question to the
Southern States is, how shall this period of
semi-anarchy be quickest ended. l have
promised to adhere to practical questions of
present importance and interest, and cannot
see how any good can be gotten by stopping
to ask whether more speed could have been
made. 1t took so long. So much we know
and may regret, but regrets will not change
the fact. The exercise of the right of repre-
sentation was interrupted during the war,
the administration offered to favor the re-
sumption of the right not Internationally,
but upon the acceptance of certain terms and
conditions which | have endeavored to detail
specifically. Congress, by its final action, he
said, agreed, provided these same conditions
be put in the shape of an amendment to the
Federal Constitution" There is the whole
controversy in nutshell / have already
Gail oil 10 {br ofr
sing that proviso which has reference only to
form, when the thing to be done is professed-
ly agreed upon. The quickest, the easiest
way of securing the representation desired is
then for the Southern States to adopt the
amendment, every principle of which they
claim to have submitted to already, when
they profess to have accepted the administra-
ton plan.
If our distinguished friend who is on the
stand with me (Mr. Shelabarger) will permit
me to say so, will confess that the liveliest
surprise that have felt during the past sea.
son was in view of the fact that the Presi-
dent did not congratulate Congress and the
country at the close of the session, upon the
substantial harmony of policy which had
been the result of such long deliberations.
What then shall we say of the organized
effort which has recently been made in a
great Convention to produce the conviction
upon the country that the Union party iscom-
mitted to revolutionary measures which tend
to the perpetuation of anarchy, and the per-
manent denial of the right Of representation
What can We say, but that the passions and
antagonisms engendered by warm dispute
upon other questions, have been transferred
to those upon which the only difference is
verbal, or rather, is only with regard to the
form OF the guaranty upon the bond of set
Element whose other terms are agreed upon
Ii the South should at once adopt the Con-
stitutional amendment, how utterly all the
dispute about theories of executive OF legis-
lative power would sink into insignifcance 2
If it is rejected, how plain it is that it will
be done because the terms themselves (which
l have shown are considered right by the
Administration and Congress alike) are OBJ
Jected to, and not because the form is that of
amendment to the fundamental law In
either event, the controversy about the func-
tons OF the several departments of the Gov
eminent during revolutionary instruction,
Will soon lose their interest for the country
and have no more real importance than de-
! bate whether all such civil commissions should
be inaugurated by throwing overheard ship
cargo of tea.
The loyal people of the country ask the
lrreversible acceptance by the Southern
States of terms of settlement which every
body ever connected with the Union party
has admitted to be moderate and right
Shall we have it? This hold to be the only
live issue of to-day. If all the men who have
sustained the Government by their votes and
their arms through the war, shall now stand
together united in the demand, the thing
will be done and that quickly A true and
lasting peace long looked for will have come