The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-10-04
For the Standard.
Letter from DIR. J. Il. Leach.

! Felloer- Citizens Of Johnston County:
Will you permit one who has enjoyed your
confidence in the past to speak few words
of soberness and truth for our common good
and the good of pOsterity!
Though we are permitted by the authority
of the government of the United States to
! enjoy in part the civil rights guaranteed to
us, our political rights are withheld; we
have no voice in the administration of the
federal government, we are taxed without
being represented. But these things are
done in accordance with our own actions, for
we have refused to conform to the terms laid
down by the Legislative branch of the fed
| eral government.
The Senate and House of Representatives
are the sole judges of the qualifications of
their members and until we conform to the
laws and terms offered us by Congress our
! condition will not be bettercd. From bad it
will rapidly become worse, until like the
hayward children of Israel we shall groan
under an Egyptian bondage. This is no
sketch of the fancy, my fellow-citizens. 1t
is plain statement of facts, which appeals
to the reason of all, that unless we submit to
the requirements of the law-making power,
even those civil rights which now enjoy
will be taken from and military despo-
tism be established over us. Further resis-
lance or even talk of resistance to the author
ity and requirements. 0ntta federal govern
ment is mad folly, the bittelp fgaits of which
we shall soon taste
We hear men talking about their rights
l appeal to them to know where, how, when
and by what authority they enjoy the rights
which they are now permitted TO exercise
They seem to forget that those rights Were for
teited by participation in the rebellion We
denied the true faith and repudlated the au-
thOrity of the federal government When
Gen. Johnston surrendered, we stood as cul-
prits at the mercy of the government, with
out the shadow of right rs loyal citizens.
We had not only forfeited such rights politi-
cal and civil, but even our lives. We were
in the hands and at the mercy of the victors.
Fellow-citizens, we must go back to our
fathers house. Like the prodigal, who spent
Lis patrimony in riOtous living, we have fed
too long upon the huSIls. Let us confess our
sins and forsake them, and we will be recciv-
ed with open arms and glad smiles
The terms proposed by Congress, known
as the Howard amendment, would have been
regarded as god-Send by those now most
clamorous Tor their rights, eighteen months
ago. 1t makes all persons born or naturai-
Zed in the United States. subject to the laws
thereof, citizens OF the United States and of
the States wherein they reside. 1t forbids
any State making or enforcing any law
abridging the rights of citizens of the Uni
ted States, of deprving them of life, lib
ton of the law
Representation by it is apportioned among
the States of the Union according to their
respective members, leaving 1t with the
States to say who shall and who shall not
vote. II the States allow the freedmen to
vote. they are counted in the ratio of repre-
sentatiOn: if not they are not counted. The
right of suffra &c is left with the Statcs.
Itexcludes from office all who have hereto
fore held Office under any State or the United
States, taking the oath to support the Consti-
tuition, and who afterwards engaged in the
rebellion. But leaves it discretionary with
Congress to remove such disability by two
thirds vote.
1t forbids the United States or any State to
assume the ayIncnt of the Confederate debt,
and declares it unconstitutional for the gov
eminent to pay any claim for loss sustained
by those in rei,2llOn.
This, fellow citizens, is the door opened TO
US. Though it may prove bitter dose to
some, let us not forget that we have sinnad
with high hand and outstretched arm
against the best government ever known to
man. The reneiy is mild, compared with !
the enorlnity OF the crime which we have
committed.
The most important inquiry is, how are we
to manifest our Willingness 10 accept the pro
posed terms. The answer is elect honest and /
patriotic men to the General Assembly and
elect Union Governor. Ii the next Legisla- /
ture will adopt the amendment by bare mi.-
jority, Congress will admit us again to fellow |
ship i'll the glorious Union. When that hap
Ply time comes, it will be glory enough for
one day.
Remember the scriptural injunction-if |
thine e. e offend thee, pluck it out and filthy
hand offend thee, cut it off-it is better that !
one or two members suffer, than that the
whole body perish.
And SO, NV fcllow-cItizcns it is better that /
the present flock of office corInorants be cX- /
Guided, many OF whom were active partici- |
pants in the rebellion, than that the whole
people should suffer the horrors of a military
despotism.
If this amendment be not adopted, none
of US need lie surprised should the next Con-
grcss revoke every Presidential pardon. con- .
iiscate property and force universal suffrage /
upon US Let us be wise in time and avert !
these calamities by submitting TO the require |
mcnts OF the lawmakikng power
j. T. LEACH.
Leachburg, Johnston County, Oct. 1st. SO. !