The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-09-05

tinued would not ALLEVIATE and impair. And
the ten millions Of Americans who live in
the South would be unworthy citizens Of q
free country, degenerate sons Of an heroic
ancestory, unfit ever to become guardians
Of the rights and liberties bequeathed tous
by The fathers and founders of this repub-
lie. if they could accept, with uncomplain-
ing subnissiveness. the humiliations thus
sought to be imposed upon them. Resent
ment Of injustice is always and everywhere
essential to freedom and the spirit which
prompts the States and people lately in in
surrec.i0n, but insurgent now no longer, to
protest against the imposition OF unjust and
degrading conditions, makes them all the
more worthy to share in the government
Of free commonwealth. aud gives still fir-
mer assurance Of the future power and
freedom Of the Republic. For whatever
responsibility the Southern people may
have incurred in resisting the authority Of
the National Government and in taking up
arms for its overthrow, they may be held
to answer, a. individuals, before the judi
cal tribunals of land and for that con-
duct. as societies and organized communi-
ties, they have already paid the most fear
ful penalties that can fall on offending
States in the losses. the suherings and
humiliations Of unsuccessful war. But
whatever may be the guilt o. the punish
ment OF the conscious anthors Of the insur-
rection, candol and common justice de-
mand the concession that the great mass Of
those who became involved in its RESPONSE
bility acted upon what they believed 10 be
their duty, in defence Of what they had been
taught to believe their rights, or under a
compulsion, physical and moral, which they
were powerless to resist. Nor can il be
amiss to remember that, terrible as have
been the bereavements and the losses ol
this war, they have fallen exclusively upon
neither section and upon neither party
that they have faiien, indeed, with tai
greater weight upon those with whom the
war began that in .he death of relative.
and friruds, the dispersion Of families, tht
disruption Of social systems and social ties
the overthrow Of governments. Of law ant
order, the destruction Of property and o
forms and modes and means Of industry
{ the loss Of political. commercial and mora
{ influence, in every shape and form whlct
E great calamilies can assume, the States ant
$ people which engaged in the war sgains
. the Government oi The United States hay,
8 suffered tenlvld more than those who re
] named in allegiance 10 its Constitution an,
: laws.
4 These considerations may not, as the
. certainly do not, justify the action Of tn
{ people Of the insurgent Statesi but no JUS
: or generous mind will refuse to them veI
7 considerable weight 10 determining th
e line of conduct wlch the government OF u
/ United States should pursue toward them,
! They accept. il not with alacrity. Ger
e tsinly without sulIen resentment, the te
n feat and overthrow they have sustained
d They acknowledge and acquiesce 10 th
,f results, 10 themselves and the countrs
e which that defeat involves. They no Ions
If er claim for any State the right 70 seced
!. from the Union; they no longer assert fd
any State the allegiance paramount TO ths
e which 10 due 10 the General Government
e They have accepted the destruction |
J. slavery. abolished il BY their State const
v tutlons, aud concurred with the States AL
Il people % the whole Union ia prohibitln
/. It's existence forever upon the soll or with
/. the jurisdiction Of the United States
n They indicate and esince their purpos'
N Just 50 fast as may be possible and safe.
le sdapt their domestic laws to the change
OIL condition of their society. and 70 secure
ia the law aud its tribunals equal and ~
,e martial Justice 10 all classes OF their inhab
D. tants. They admit the lnvaildity OF all &c
i. of resistance 10 the national authority, af
ii Of all debts incurred in attempting ITS owe
IL throw. They syow their willingness
Ill share the burdens and discharge all u
ss duties and obligations which rest ap'
10 them, In common with other States an
other sections OF the Union; and they 2
sc new through their representatives "a ~
a. Convention, by all their public conduct,