The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-16
THE SOUTHERN LOYALISVS.


statcs-The Results of their Tour.
The Committee OF Southern Loyalists, ap-
pointed By the Convention at Philadelphia to
visit the tomb OF Lincoln, has issued the follow
ng address:
''SPRINGFIELD, October Ito the Loyal
People of the United State The undersigned
members Of the Commlttee appointed by the
Convention OF Southern Loyalists, lately assem-
Dled In Phlladelphid, 10 visit the tomb of our
martyr PRESIDENT, Abraham Lincoln, as a
testimony OF the admiration and affection with
WD1cn the Union men OF the South remember
his single-hearted patriotism have discharged
that duty The enthusiastic greetings which
we received all alOng our route are sufficient
evidence that the Union party is still intact.
We return our sincere and hearty thanks tor the
Uniform courtesy and kindness every where
shown us, but before we separate desire to warn
our countrymen ot new danger which appears
TO be looming up. Every here that we have
been the loyal people who are sustaining Con-
Rress seem 10 be united in demanding
First That Anorew johnson shall not be
permitted TO usurp and exercise the po Hers of
Congress in addition TO those OF President.
Second. That disloyal men shall not be per-
mltted to rule either the whole country or any
part thereof; and,
Third. That the loyal men of the South,
black as we'll as white, shall be protected IN ali
their rights as American citizens.
~ Unfortunately, however, some Republican
speakers ana writer's, by the loose language they
make use OF, and their frequent declarations
pending Constitutional amendment such of
their applicants as can or will take the test oath
will be admitted 70 membership in that body,
arc creating the Impression that the ratification
of that amendm INT will render any further
legislation by Congress III relation to the non
reconstructed States unnecessary. 1t this COO
viction Is allowed to iasten itself upon the minds
OF the people, it can only be rem Oved by loug,
acr rlmonjous discussion, pending which the
nation viii continue 10 be afflicted with the
evils which now render lite in q third Of the
States almost iDtolerable.
ut now requires but few moments redec-
tien to see that such settlement of the recon-
struct1on problem would convert the victory
now being won at the polls into defeat Tue
Constitution OF the United States declares that
all legislative power shall be vested in Con-
gress,' and Legislative 10 wer' means simply the
power to make laws. The usurpatlon of the
President consists In the fact that when, at the
close OF the war, he found ten States deprived
OF all civil government'-there being no law
upon the statute-book providing how, under
such circumstances, government might be in
stituted-instt al of calling the legislative de.
partment together in extra session to pass the
necessary laws, he assumed the prerogaLiye of
Congress and prescribed the rules ami reguIa-
tions Claiming for them all the force and
validity OF regularly enacted laws) necessary
for establishing civil governments in the ten
States winch he declared had none. 1t was in
accordance with these illegal edicts that the
Syrann.cal organ cations claiming to be the
State Governments Of North Carolina, South
Carolina. Georgia, Florida, Aiauama, Mlssls-
slppi, and Texas were formed; and to ."co9n'Ze
their adoption OF the Constitutional ame"1-
ment as valid, IS simply 10 ndorse and legalize
inc FreS!derVS usurDatons, Are the people
willing thus 10 indorse the actions of President
Johnson? 1t not, thev must firmly resolve and
d. clare that the illegally organized tools of a
nsurper Cannot by Cheir action affect the Con-
stitutlon OF the country, and that before the
non-reconstructed States can ratfy the amend
ment legal Governments must be instituted IN
them,
0fk khn oolla1 "A nOu
ments in the ten non-reconstructed States are
In the hands of and controlled by the men who
attempted to destroy the nation, and are osten-
tatiously used to make treason honorable and
LOYALTY odious, and in the Southern States i'm
possible. II Congress legaliZes them 1t per-
petuates these eX Rebels in power indefinitely.
They Will continue 10 have absolute control OF
the Governments OF all or nearly all OF the late
sIavehodng States, and will send up solid
DELEGATIONS TO Congress of men whose sym
pathies were and are with the Confederate
cause. Once admit that they are loyal State
Governments, and Congress cannot thereafter
interfere in those States any more than II can
now IN Illinois and New York. In short, legalize
those bogus Governments, and e& Rebels will
thereafter have absolute political control OF
neatly One-half the Union. If the loyal people
do not wish such a state OF affairs, they must
never consent to the endorsement OF Andrew
Johnson's usurpation. Again, 1t is these
State Governments which now tyrannize
over the Union men of the South, and
which are being welded so as to rem
der our living there intolerabe or i'm
possible. Protection, either of life or property,
with the State Governments controlled by those
now in power there is impossible. Whue loyal
State Governments can afford us protection, we
solemnly warn the people that the ratification
of these bogus governments Is a sentence OF
death or exile to every Union man in the Soutr
whose position or ability renders hlm at all OBJ
noxious to the late Rebels. To those who art
willing to tolerate for moment the idea
abandoning their friends to destructon-o
handing them over bound hand and foot into
the power of their and the nations enemies W.
have not one word to say; but to such as Cal
themselves Union meE, and have some spark
manhood or womanhood IN their natures, W.
appeal Tor protection-for that protection whcl
can alone be afforded by State Governments
imbutd with the principles of impartial Justic
for all men. Shall we appeal in vain? Tn
action of Congress the coming winter must an
swer this question.
''The late Rebels are of course, desirous Q
retaining as much power in Congress as possible
but they would surrender all representation 4
that bo0y rather than lose control OF the Stat
Governments, for by the help of these stat
Governments alone can they keep their peopl
united against the general Government. Repre-
ssentation in Congress is a side and comparativel
-unimportant matter, but the control OF the Stat
Governments, whether or not they shall renal
IN the hands OF those who have once! used theI
10 wage war upon the Union, is the vital que
1ion. We do not wish to have 1t undertood thi
we are finding fault with the present Congrei
that noble body OF men whose trmness hi
afforded us our only protection thus lar sint
the war closed. II has been and IS our expect
tion that most, IT not ALL OF the Union membe
intend TO adopt the measures necessary TO gi
us protection. The Reconstruction Committe
in ADDITION to the Constitutional amendmeI
reported bill providing for the organization
1oyal Governments in the seeded States, al
this bill has yet to be acted upon. Ii Co
press immediately upon reassembling, TAX
it up, perects, and passes 1t, all "