Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-08-23

waye his discretion. To this we reply that The
laws in question relate solely far the rights the,
and ea have no aca alr
this regard IN war waged bya government to suppress
against its authority 1--we had carried on successful wal
against any foreign nation, might thereby have
qured possession and jurisdiction OF their SOIL the
right enforce laws upon their people, and impose
upon them such laws and such obligations might
! choose. arss 80 r.
But we had before the war complete jurisdiction over
the soil of the Southern States limited only by
Our laws were the only national laws in force
only government through which those States and their peo
only flag by which thew were recognized or known any
where on the face of the earth IL all these respects and
rights possession perfect and complete. 1t did
not need to be acquired but only to be maintained and
Victorious war against the rebellion could 90 nothing more
tablish the disputed supremacy OF the consti-
tuition. 1t could neither enlarge diminish
the authority which that Constitution confers upon
the government by which it achieved. Such al
or agement of constitutional power can
be effected only by the amendment OF the Constitution
SELF and such amendment be made only the modes
which the Constitution itself prescrbes The claim that
the suppression of instruction against the
gives additional power and authority TO that government
and gives that body the right exclude States from rep
resentahOn Ill the national councils without which the
to alike with the principles OF the
Constitution and with the public safety.
tuon Of the United States fails 70 secure that ahsoute justice
and concessions to which, however necessary when the cons
that now Ing the power through successful war and lust
section the of the United impose
its own condition and make The constitution conform IN all its
Congress- proposed con-
authority Of the atea goVernment over that Of the SeveraI
tave power of the which slavery formerly existed
And Is cned that these amendments may be made valid as
parts OF the original without the of the
States to be most seriously affected by them or may be imposed
and in the electoral college.
United States to make such changes in the constitution
they upon due deliberation. may deem expcdient.
But insist that they shall be made in the mode when
the constitution itself points out in conformity with the
letter and the spirit of that instrument and with the
principles OF sefgovcnment and equal rights which lie
at the basis OF republican institutions We deny the
right Of Congress to make these changes in the tuna-
mental law without the of three-tOUrths of
all the States, including especially those to be most
seriously affected by tn H. to impose them upon
States for people conditions OF representation of
admission any o: the rights, duties obligations
which belong: under the constitution to all the States
alike.
portion any
share in their councils to propose or sanction changes in the
which permanently political
and control or coerce the legitimate action OF the several MEM
ers OF the common Union Such an exercise Of power is sim
ply uSuaon-just as uiwarrantale when exercised by
not to he fortified plated by anything i'll the past history,
either OF those by whom it attempted or Of those upon whose
constitution fundamental principles our
precedent OF liberty constitutional
h Dependent solely upon the VIII Of the party IN
the most fatal and toerbe OF all tyranieste tyranny OF
formidable of all dangers which the stability of free
that the Constitution of the United States was in,
steadfs adherence its provisions IN this and in this alone
Fourth ' But aege in % @ p Of The usuaion
AND people not SUCH as safe hoir ramon to
share in the government OF the country that they still dis
the the would safe if they
this:
First. Tha, right deny any
them by the constitution OF the United States.
long they conform all their pubck require
ments OF the constitution and laws we have no right TO exact
from them conformity in their sentiments and opinions to
Third That we have no right to disrust the purpose
the ability of the people Of the Union to protect and
defend under all contingencies and by whatever
may be required, its honour and its welfare.
These would, in Judgment, be full and conclusive
answers to the plea thus advanced for the exclusion of
these States from the Union But say further, that
this plea rests upon complete misapprehensiOn
unjust perversion of existing facts We do not hesitate
to affirm that there is section of the country where
the constitution and the laws OF the United States find
more prompt and entire obedience than in those States
and among those people who lately in against
them where there is less purpose danger OF any
future attempt to overthrow their authority.
would seem to be both natural and Inevitable that in States
the ordinary modes and methods of organized industry
cal destroyed where thousands and tens of
thousands of turbulent spirits have been suddenly loOsed from
upon dsorganzed and chaotic society and where the keen
violence should defer for time the imposition of
law ard excite anew the 1oebodmg of the patriotic and well
kind, accompanied by Violence do still
OF the Southern States different and interests are
brought most closely in contact and where passions and resent
always most easily fed and famed into outbreak
these quite the fruit untimcy
hur agitation of any hostility the of the people
the IthoTlty OF the national government
But the concurrent testimony Of those best acquainted with
south including representatives Convention
established the fact that the of the southern people
other States the reetabsed supremacy the national
aeaS M er and e a coe
V to defend the rights maintain the honor and promote the
welfare of common country.
History affords instance where peooe so power
full in numbers in and in pubck spirit after
a long in its duration, destructive in its pro-
gress and adverse in its ISSUE have accepted defeat
and it's consequences with much of good faith has
marked the conduct of the people lately in nsurrecon
agrns the United States. Beyond all question: this has
been largely due to the wise generosity with which their
enforced surrender accepted by the President of the
United States and the generals in Immediate command
of their armies and to the literal which
afterwards taken restore order tranquility and law
the States where all had for time been overthrown
No steps could have been better calculated to command
the respect win the confidence, revive the patriotism
rnd tue permanent and aectOnate allegiance of
the people of the South to the constitution and laws of
the Union than those which have been firmly taken
and steadasty pursued by the President of the Uni
ted Stgtes.
And if that confidence and loyalty have been since
mpairedf the people of the South to-day less
dial in their allegiance than they Immediately upon
the close the believe it is due to the changed
tone Of the legislative department of the general govern
ment towards them to the action 10y which Congress
has endeayOurcd to suppan and defeat the Presidents
wise and benefcent policy of restoraton to their excu
sion from all participation in common government
to withdrawal conferred