Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-06-08
FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE s, 1866.

FRIDAY MOKNlNG, JUNE D. 1885,
When the Southern armies surrendered it
was with the idea that they and their people
would be allowed all the rights they had in
the Government prior to secession. This
then was the ultimatum of the northern lead
ers and found an authentic nouth-piece in
President Lincoln, who frequently declared
that with the laying down Of arms and the
cessation from hostilities, the full restoration
TO all rights, &c.. would and should follow.
Congress, on several occasions, expressed,
in strong language, its sentiments on the
subject, declaring that the war was waged,
not for conquest, but for the preservation of
the Union. More than a year has elapsed
since the brave spirits commanded by Lee
and others gave up the contest and betook
themselves to the peaceful pursuits of life,
and yet the States forming the late Confed-
eracy are admitted to no rights they former
ly possessed, which was frequently promised
them. They are simply vouchsafed the on
erous privilege of paying taxes. It would
seem but just that the object for which the
war was commenced and prosecuted to sue
cessful consummation should be carried out
in good faith. On the contrary, the spirit
Of fanatical hate and vindictiveness seems to
be more rampant than during the war. This
is plainly patent to all who have scrutinized
the acts and doings Of Congress and shines
forth eonspicuously, in all the glare Of vio-
lent partizanship, in the report of the Re-
construction Committee. Their unjust at
tempt at wholesale disfranchisment Of the
Southern people met a just fate in the Sen
ate. BY the unanimous disapproval ofthat par
ticular clause in their proposed Constitution
oil amendment, yet an equally unjust substi-
tute was offered and adopted as follows:
Section 8. That no person shall be Sen
ator or Representative in Congress, or Elec-
tor of President or Vice. President, or hold
any office, civil or military, under the Uni
ted States or under any State, who, having
previously taken an oath as a member Of
any State Legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer of any State. to support the
Constitution of the United States, has en-
gagged in instruction or rebellion against the
same, or given aid and comfort to the. enc
mics thereof But Congress may, by vote
Of two-thirds of each House remove such dis
ability.
This substitute would exclude the very
best men of the South, who being men Of
merit were forced into public positions and
Office, and in great measure took part In
the rebellion. Aside from this it is unjust
to single out and cause to suffer, for whole
people, any particular class Of community.
They are no more guilty than those Of us
who have thrust their positions upon them.
They were the mere servants Of the masses
and did but their bidding. For the same
reason we have urged the injustice Of trying
the Southern people in the person Of their
late chief magistrate, Jefferson Davis, who
is doubly endeared to them at this day from
the suferings already endured for obeying
their behests.
We are unrepresented and can simply pro-
test against such injustice, but we say to the
implacables, disfranchise all and eternally-
con6scate and Impoverished forth as
homeless exiles, or behead, if the Gods of ia
naticism can be propitiated in no other way,
hut for the sake of justice and right, take
no revenge upon any particular man or class
Of men for the acts Of whole people.