The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-12-12
Reorganization at the South.

Reorganization at the South.
The unsatisfactory condition of affairs at
the South is established by the reports of the
military commanders stationed there To
many of the statements enanating from that
section, respecting outrages upon freedmen
and other evidences of aversion to Federal
control, we have paid little attention, believ-
ing that they were colored, if not invented
for partisan purposes. But to the represen-
tations made by our military authorities in
the Southern States no suspicion can posi-
bly, attach. Whatever be their opinions on
controverted political questions, at any rate
they are responsible and impartial. They
enjoy the well-earned confidence of the loyal
people of the land, and their averments will
undoubtedly be accepted as conclusive on
questions of fact. r. ..-. .=
On the important fact touching the treat
ment of the freedmen, the testimony of the
Generals is positive and unfavorable. An
idea has obtained that South Carolina has
done itself honor by the fullness of its pro-
visions for justice to the colored people.
Gen. SICKLEs, however, reports that in
some districts of that State the freedman is
dependent upon the presence and protection
of national troops for security for life, limb
or property" A prevailing indispo sition
to prosecute. and failure to punish offenders
when negroes are the sufferers-is imputed
to the local authorities; and an extraordina-
ry State enactment is cited under which
militia officers may disperse, suppress, kill
and destroy any company of freedmen or
Others who shall be lurking in any suspected
place where they may do mischief" From
Kentucky, Gen. Davis reports an increase of
lawlessness since the triumph of rebel candi-
dates at the election Gen. Wood, writing
from Mississippi shows that laws remain IN
force prohibiting freedmen from purchasing
real estate, and that only freedmen who have
obtained special license are permitted to
bear arms. The inferior local authorities,
too, are slow to proceed against rebel often.
ders, who usually escape unpublished Gen.
Sheridan, referring to affairs in Texas, speaks
yet more positively. There, the General re-
marks, "the trial of white man for the
murder Of freedman would be farce" And
while great outcryis raised when single
white settler is killed by Indians, f." over the
killing of many freedmen in the settlement
nothing is DONE"
Again, Arkansas has been singled out as
by comparison q reconstructed State 1t
sent loyal men to Washington last Winter,
and has seemed to be largely impregnated
with Northern influences. Encouraged,
probably, by the position assumed by the
President, and the greater degree of boldness
which distinguishes the tone of Southern
politicians on national affairs, the rebel ele-
ment in Arkansas has asserted its right to
rule. Gov. Murphy is not an extreme man.
as the manner in which he presented the
pending Constitutional Amendment to the
local Legislature, for ratification, proved
Apart from him, the State Government is
once more in rebel hands, The three mem
bers of Congress elect were chosen because
of the support they gave to the rebellion; the
State offices; with the exception of the Exc
cutive chair, have been assigned to conspic-
uOus rebels; large majority of the Legisla-
ture belong to the same class; and all the
counties save three have given their minor
local offices to men who have waged war
against the Government. The Union men of
the State propose to meet in Convention to
petition Congress for grant of the same
powers which were entrusted to them three
years ago, when the work of reconstruction
on its present basis was undertaken The
men who cooperated with Mr.. Lincoln then
ask now for power to begin anew, with the
light of recent experience to guide them
The mere issue of the call for gathering to
petition has aroused the ire of the rebels in
the State Legislature, who have talked Of le-
gislation to aid the Governor in suppressing
the movement. Forcible suppression, after
the style in vogue at New Orleans, is hardly
likely to be attempted, and the Unionists,
we presume, will make themselves heard at
Washington.
North-C Carolina seems no nearer bona tide
reconstruction than other parts of the South.
The election of an ultra Secessionist, Judge
Manly, to the United States Senate, illus
trates the predominant temper of the Legis-
lature Ex-Gov. Holden-one of President
Johnson's appointees declares, in the Raj
eigh Standard, of which he is the editor,
that the Provisional Government experiment
has been failure; that the President was
deceived, and his Provisional Governors were
deceived" that call hope that existing
Southern organizations will concur in meas
ures necessary to restore the Southern States
to the Union is at an end !" and that there
is nothing left but to reorganize the South
ern States" For this conclusion the repre-
sented States may not be fully prepared.
But the expression of such an opinion in
Sucn quarter is sign OF Ine LiineS nOC Co
be overlooked, while the facts we. have col
lated may help to familiarize US with the
outlines of the Southern position. ~
That anything short of the surrender of
the Union Party and principle will satisfy
the present leaders of southern opinion we
do not believe. Even President johnson
does not satisfy them for, though opposed
to the Constitutional Amendment, the lang
uage of his Message commits him to the sup
port of the test oath. But the South will
have neither It refuses to ratify the amend
ment, and it demands the admission to
Congress of whomsoever it may choose to
send, rebel or no REBEL 1--WE utterly reject
his test oath" is the answer of the Richmond
Eaaminer-a journal which under its pres
emit management, is one of the most efficient
opponents of Southern opinion. "We think
the South would rather stay out of Congress
indefinitely" than be represented by persons
who would swallow the oath, is the state
ment with which the Examiner disposes of
Mr. Johnson's safeguard 1t is evident,
therefore, that the Amendment is not the OBJ
stacle to restoration. The real obstacle is