The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-05-26


PRESCRIPTION OF REBELs.-The prop
osition to exclude for four years from
voice in the Federal Government those
who were guilty of attempting to over
throw that Government and disrupt the
Union is received with shrieks of horror
by the Copperheads generally. We do
not favor the policy of disfranchiscment,
simply because we deem general entran-
chisement every way preferable; but
it is a fact, abundantly established, that
the rebels, had they succeeded, would
have DISTINGUISHED the Southern Union
lists, not temperately, but for all times.
This truth does not rest on such testl-
mony as Gov. Wise's alone. There is
ample confederation from various quar-
ters.
In February, 1868, the leading Con-
federates of West Virginia issued from
Richmond an address "To the people
of North Western Virginia." urging
them to take ground for the Southern
Confederacy. In this manifesto they
say ~. 1a,.,n u.,, ,,e,.e,. co,,o,,e, the
South. Neither aciUthe South eoer con-
sent to q restoration Of the Union. An
inhuman attempt to subjugate brave
free, enlightened and Christian people
can necer be .forgiueo or i Forgotten. The
atrocities of the North i'll prosecuting
this war, and a desperate attempt to
invoke servile Instruction, have placed
a fiery gulf of hatred between the two
countries. The separation which was
forced by fanaticism has been confirmed
by ferocious folly. 1t is not the South
which will have to regret the conse
quences.
GAS certainly as the atrocious scheme
of subjugation is destined to fall, just so
certainly will every inch of the soil of
Virginia remain under her jurisdiction.
The entire South will be conquered, or
all Virginia will be free BY solemn
resolves the Confederate and State Gov
ernments stand pledged never to surren-
der any part of the State. They will |
est and of honor to redeem the pledge |
at all hazards.
eve do not address ourselves to those
who have eagerly engaged with the en-
envy to subjugate or dismember our ven
cradle Commonwealth. They hare
chosen to abide the event of q arur IN
qohich they haze taken the part Of trait
or.s, and they mast abide by 1t. x =
If you have not all acted with equal |
frmness, we are gratitied to believe las
we have many reasons for believing) .
that a large majority of the citizens of
NorthW estern Virginia have cherished !
a loyal attachment to the State, and
that they a6hOr t'easons and traitors.
We know how to make due allowance
for the cruel necessities Of your situa-
ton. While some of us were able to
retire to places where we could serve
the cause ofthe South, and several thou
sand have joined our armies, it is just
to remember that whole community
SO great as ours could not withdraw in
to the interior; nor could they alone
resist the powerful States on their Dor
ders. Many were hampered by power
ty, or charged with the care of families.
or detained at home by other obstacles
which could not be overcome. Being
compelled to remain, their submission
could be enforced by arms. Mere sub
mission to irresistible force will not be
imputed to them as crime. V0l,uturg
and corrupt completely with treus0l
can NEVER be excused by any circxm-
sta1ace.''
This manifesto is signed by Charles
w. Russell, Robert Johnston, Thomas
S. Raymond, Gideon D. Camden, Joseph
johnson, William Jackson, and ten 9th
er of the leading Confederates whose
homes were i'll West Virginia Improves
that before Virginia would join the Con
federacy her rulers exacted secret but
solemn treaty, STIMULATING that no peace
should eyer be made with the Union i
that did not put loyal West Virginia
under the feet and subject to the ven
geance of the pro-slavery traitors east
of the mountains. 1t proves, moreover,
that it was the settled rebel policy to
disfranchise and punish all ''voluntary''
Unionists. The tables being turned. |
you see, they sing very different tune
In 1866 from that to which their pipes
were pitched in 1863.-M Y. Tribune. |