The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-08-28
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stVsS ahOINS no IN.
stance where a peaPle So powerful in
numbers, in resources, and in publie
spirit, after a war SO lopg in its duration,
SO destructive in It's progress. and SO adj,
verse IN It's issue, have accepted defeat
and Its consequences with SO much Of
good faith as has marked the conduct of
the people lately IN insurrection against
the United States. beyond all question
this has he9a largely dae to the wise gen
eroslty with which their enforced surrep-
der was =accepted by the President of the
United States aud the generals in imme-
diate command Of Their armies, and to the
liberal measures which were afterwards
taken to restore order, tranquility aud
law to tle States where all Tor the time
had been oyerihrowRsa No steps could
have been better calculated to command
the respect, via tlle conhdaneo, ,reylye the
patriotism. ana secure the permanont and
affectionate allegiance Of the people OF
the South to the Constitution aud laws of
the Union than those which have been SO
firmly taken and SO steadtasty pursued
by the President of the United States.
And IL that confidence and loyalty have
been since impaired; if the people of the
Soath are to-day less cordial in their al
leeianee than they were Immediately upon
the close of the war, We believe it is due
to the changed tone of the legislative de-
partmept Of the general government TO
ward them; to the action by which Con-
gress has ehdeavored to supplant and dc,
feat tile Presidents wise and benefcent
policy of restoration; to their exclusion
from all participation in ourcommon gov
ernment; to the Withdrawal ffom them of
rights conferred and guaranteed by the
Constitution, and to lie evident pvr
pose of Congress, in The exercise Of a
usurped and unlawful authority,to reduce
them from the rank of free and equal
members Of a republic of States, with
rights and dignities unimpaired, to the
condition of conquered provinces and a
conquered people, in all things sabordi-
nate and subject to the will of their con-
auerors; free only to obey laws in making
which they are not allowed to share.
No people has ever yet existed whose
LOYALTY and faith such treatment long con-
tinued would not ALLEVIATE and impair
And the ten millions of Americans who
live in the South would be unworthy cit
izens ef free country, degenerate sons
ne on heroic ANCESTRY. unit even to be-
come guardians Of the rights and li5er-
ties bequeathed TO Us BY the fathers and
founders Of this republic, if they could
with accomplishing submissivenes.
.he huniliatious thus sought 10 be im-
posed upon them. Resentment of injus-
tice is always and everywhere essential to
freedom; and the spirit which prompts the
States end people lately in Instruction,
but insurgent now no longer, to protest
against the imposition Of unjust and de-
grading conditions, makes them all the
more worthy to share IN the government
of a free commonwealth, and gives still
further assurance Of the future power
and freedom of therepublic. For what
ever responsibility the Southern people
may have incurred in resisting the au-
thority of the national government and
in taking up arms for It's overthrow, they
may be held to answer, as individuals, be-
Gore the judicial tribunals of the land
and for that conduct, as societies. and or
ganized communities, they have already
paid the most fearful penalties that can
fall on offending States In the losses, the
sufferings and the humiliations of the un-
successful war. But whatever may be
the guilt or the punishment of the con-
scious authors of the insurrection, can
dor aud common justice demand the con-
cession that the great mass of those who
became involved in its responsibility ac-
ted upon what they believed to be ithel
duty, in defense OF what they had been
taught 20 believe their rights, or under {
compulsion, physical or moral which they
were powerless to resist. Nor. can it bc
amiss to remember that, terrible as have
been the bereavemcnts and losses of thi'
war they have fallen exclusively upor
neither section and upon neither party
that they have fallen, indeed, with fal
greater weightupon those with whom th'
war began; that in the death of relatives
and friends, the dispersion of families
the disruption of social systems and soela
ties, the overthrow of governments, o
law and order, the obstruction Of prep
erty. and Of forms and modes and means
Of industry, the loss Of political, com
mercial and moral influence, in ever.
shape and form which. great calamitiel
oan assume. the States and people Thicl
engaged in the war against the govern
ment of the United States have suffered
tenfold more than those who remained il
allegiance to its Constitution and laws.
These considerations may not, as the.
certainly do not. justify the actions Q
the people of the insurgent States; but NJ
Just or generous mind will refuse to then
very considerable weight =: determining
the line of conduct which the govern
ment of the United States should ppr
sue toward them.
They accept, if not with alacrity, Ger
tainly without sullen resentment, the de
feat and overthrow they have sustained
They acknowledge and acquiesee in th,
results, to themselves and the country
which that defeat involves. They q
longer claim for any State the right 10 Sc
cede from the Union; they no longer as
sert for any State an allegiance paramount
to that which is due 70 the general gov
ernment. They have accepted the de
ssruction of slavery. abolished it by thei
State Constitutions, and eoneprred viii