The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-10-04

the ODllSaIlOnS OF events anu unuO IHe
good that has been done. 1t has shared
already, and by a law as irresistible as
Time, must continue to share, the COM
growth. The North, with it's sense Of
| justice, its faith in true democracy, its
! vigor and industries, it's great popula-
ton and wealth, will inevitably rule
this land. BUTT will secure and bene-
| ticially exercise that rule only by the
same process which governs all true
civilization; not by force.
If fear is entertained that the South
ern people may have been insincere in
what they have done towards recon-
struction, and desire admission to the
National Councils, that they may undo
it and repudiate our national debt, is
a continued exclusion, by means Of pro-
posed amendments which will not be
ratified, a remedy for that evil temper?
| Their exclusion cannot be, this people
will return at last without these con-
ditions, but still less inclined to patriot
ism and good faith. They are Ameri-
cans, and they have at least the weak
ness common to that nation: and to them,
as it would be to us, exclusion from the
Union and from complete self govern
ment is Reorganization, political and
social. The freedmen among them and
the rest of the nation must suffer by
everything which demoralizes their
condition and be benftted by every
thing which elevates it.
| But we do not believe the people Of
the South will violate the good faith
which they haze pledged to us. In the
National Union Convention Of Phila-
delphia more than three hundred South
ern delegates, holding influential posi-
tions at home, claiming to represent,
and, as we believe, actually representing,
constituencies who can make good their
the North in pledging that Convention
and the people that the public debt of
the United States should forever remain
sacred: that the insurrectionary debt
should not be paid, and that the rights
of the freedmen should be protected.
| We believe that the men who made
these pledges will keep them. But es
pecially as soldiers, who know the char
acter of their late opponents, we believe
that the soldiers of the South, men who
have endured SO bravely and constantly
the trials and priXations of four years
of war, are, dispite the error of their
cause, men of personal honor and self
respect, and they will never permit the
communities in which they dwell, to
violate promises given.in the most sol
emn forms.
We hold then, that no reason has been
given which can justify adherence to
the course which has been proposed by
Congress, and q further continuance of
the present unhappy condition OF the
country. IF the some class Of men Who
have established this policy shall be re-
turned to the next Congress, that con-
dition will grow worse for two years
longer. Who can estimate the evils
which shall meantime have befallen all
races in those communities as well as
ourselves?
| 1t is our duty to remember that gov
eminent is not an embodiment of per-
feet theories, but is practical business
and deals with the wise and the unwise,
the we'll and the ill-disposed, as a min
gled mass, and that civilization is a
growth and not the result of force. We
distribution Of powers between the CEN
trail and the local governments, is the
chief instrumentality OF the best bless
.ings Of political and civil life for all RAJ
ces and communities in this land, and
that Our first duty to all is TO see that
it is as promptly as possiblere-establish
ed.
BY meane Of it we shall accomplish
not only peace and safety, but justice
to the Nation and the Freedmen. Up
on all of these sacred rights we shall in
sist. AS soldiers we are still devoted to
the same cause and the same principles
for which we fought; the cause ofUnion,
of Freedom, Of Justice and law. We
forgo none of these in demanding Union
now.
We speak as soldiers, because we be-
lieve that all appeal from us to the brave
men who have met us in battle, tounite
now with us in giving peace to our COM
mon country, in fulfilling the pledges
which have been made, and in guaran-
teeing to the freedmen the rights which
honor and humanity enjoin, will not be
in vain.
We shall ask and expect that they,
like ourselves will unite in maintain
ing the laws preserving the peace, in
culcating good will, and in upholding
the honor and integrity of our common
country.
In answer to our appeal, we believe
thnf bct nd oil tinnC