Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-01-06
Gen. Shurz, Report.

The following is the conclusion and sum.
ming up of the late report OF Gen. Carl
Sburz of his examination Tito the state OF
affairs in the Southi -.
may sum up all have said in few
words. 81 |
If nothing we're necessary but to restore
the machinery of Government in the States
lately in rebellion in point of form, the
movement made to that end by the people
of the South might be considered satisfac-
tory.
But if it is required that the Southern
people should also accommodate themselves
to leresults Of the war in point of spirit,
these movements fall short of what must be
insisted upon.
The LOYALTY of the masses and most of the
leaders of the Southern people consists in
Submission to necessity. 'There'is exceptin
individual instances, an entire absence OF
that national spirit which forms the basis
of true loyalty and patriotism.
The emancipation of the slaves is submit
ted to only in so far as chattel slavery in
the old form could not be kept up. But,
although the freedman is no longer con-
sidered the property of the individual mas
ter, he is considered the slave of society,
and all independent State legislation will
show the tendency to make him SUCH
The ordinances abolishing slavery, passed
by the Conventions under the pressure of
circumstances, viii not be looked upon as
barring the establishment of new form Of
! servitude. ..
| Practical attempts on the part of the
Southern peope,to deprive the negro of his
| rights as q freedman, may result in bloody
collisions, and will certainly plunge South
| society into restless fluctuations and anar-
chical confusion.
Such evils can be prevented only by con-
! tinuing the control of the National Gov
ernment in the States lately in rebellion,
until free labor is fully developed and es-
! tabished, and the advantages and blessings
under the new order Of things have dis
closed themselves. The desirable result
will be hastencd by firm declaration on
the part Of the Government that national
control in the South will not cease until
stch results are secured. Only in this way
can security be established in the South,
which will render numerous Immigration
! possible and such immigration would mate
rally aid q favorable development of things
The solution of the problem will be very
much facilitated by enabling all the loyal
and free labor elements Of the South to
exercise a healthy influence upon legislation
1t will Hardly be possible to secure the
~
and private persecution, unless he be en-
dowed with certain measure of political
power. -'....
As to the future peace and harmony of
the Union, it is of the highest importance
that the people of the States lately in rebel
lion be not permitted to build up another
peculiar institution" whose spirit is in
conflict with the fundamental principles of
our political system for as long as they
cherish interests peculiar to them in prefer
ence to those they have in common with
the rest of the American people, their 10y
atty to the Union will always be suspected
l desire not to. be understood as saying
that there are no wellmeaninS men among
those who were compromised in the rebel
lion. There are many, but neither their
number nor Their influence is strong enough
to control the manifest destiny of the popu-
lar spirit. .
There are good reasons for hope that a
determined policy on the part of the Nation
al Government will produce innumerable
and valuable conversions. This considera-
tion counsels lenity as to persons, such as is
demanded by the humane and enlightened
spirits of our times, and yigor and tirmncss
the na at R5qfRs sanss 81 5qe ustis s. i
and the exigencies of our situation.
In submitting this report l desire to say
that have conscientiously endeavored to
see things as they were, and to represent
them as l saw them. have been careful
not to use language stronger than was war
ranted by the thoughts l intended to ex-
press. ~ comparison of the tenor of the
annexed documents with that of my report
will convince you that l have studiously
avoided overstatements. Certain legislative
attempts at present made in the south, and
especially in South Carolina, seem to be
more than justitying the aEprehensions
have expressed.
Conscious though am Of having used
my best endeavors to draw from what saw
and learned, correct general conclusions,
yet am far from placing too great trust
in my own Judgment when interests of such
magnitude are at stake. | know that this
report is incomplete, although as complete
as an observation of q few months would
enable me to make it. Additional facts
might be elicited calculated to throw new
light upon the subject. Although see no
reason for believing that things have chang
ed for the better since left the South, yet
such may he the case. Admitting all these
possibilities, still | would entreat you to take
no irretraceabe step toward relieving the
States lately in rebellion from all national
control, until such favorable changes are
clearly and Enthusiastically ascertained.
! To that end. and by virtue OF the per
mission you honored me with when sending
me out, to communicate to you my views as
to measures of policy proper to be adopted;
l would now respectfully suggest that you
advise Congress to send one or more sin
vestigating committees" into the Southern
States to inquire for themselves into the
actual condition of things before final action
is taken upon the re admission of such States
to their representation in the Legislative
branch of the Government and the with
drawal of all national control from that
section of the country.
Causes Of Sudden Death.