Maryland free press., 1866-08-30

not expect the South to adopt il, for alargc
majority of men in the lately insurreo-.
tionary States through compulsion aorY
choice served in the rebel armies, and
their votes; alone. would overwhelmingly
defeat it. Would Union soldiers, to re-
cover political privileges disfranchise their
leaders whom they 1love.. and revere for
their heroic virtues?, How then can we
expect Southern soldiers to disfranchise
and degrade their own commanders? As
there is no probability that the amendment
will be ratified by three-fourth of the States
the plan of restoration which Congress ap-:
pears to have determined on is at best inn.
practicable. "fa! 'eh %
That proposed by the President and ap-
proved by the National Union Convention
is feasible, and we believe safe. We have
no fear that the South can ever overthrow
the federal government. or even disturb
its career of power and glory. They will
be the last Of the States to rebel, aud if
they shall again rise il insurrection, the
loyal people can and Will subdue, and if
need be, destroy them.
The government has asserted its pow
or for self preservation, and the devasta-
ton and misery of the South proclaim to
this generation at least the crime and the
terrible penalties of treason. Beholding
their woes, and contrasting their weak
ness and our strength, we could afford to
show the confidence and courage of magna-
ninity. We might well let our vsnquish-
ed opponents arise. and like James Fitz
james, staunch their wounds aud forgive.
their treason. ..,.I a.,.,-,
But we are not asked to be magnani-
NOUS, only consistent and just. This We
cannot refuse to be without violation of
the constitution of cur country, and risk
of its utter overthrow. aas,r 9,u.i.3il
We seek aud will have no association in
political action with men, North or South,
who are not avowedly, and, i'll our opinion,
sincerely faithful to the constitutional print
ciples for which We fought. But ii men
who have taught or practiccd treason, now
openly renounce their errors. and maintain
with us. the true principles of onr govern
ment, we shall not reject their co-opera
ton, when the restoration of the Union and
the preservation of our government are in
issue.
However much we regret TO sever cher,
ished political associations. and TO co-opc-
rate with former enemies, We must prefer
to act with those who have been wrong
and are now right, rather than with those
who were right and now are wrong. d.
Believing that our government is again
in peril, we appeal to you WHO have fought
to save it, and who hold it dear, and more
sacred than all the purity ties, to come to
the rescue. Let the soldiers and sailors
agreeing, with US in sentiment, but who
cannot in person attend, send de legstes,
through the action oftheir societies Or To-
cal conventions.
Let US meet in force at Cleveland on III
18th of September, the anniversary Of the
day when the constitution was proclaimed
by our forefathers and let Us all in re
storing the Union it created and the liber-
ties it was ordained to secure. l.7
G.. A. Custer, Major General United
States Army; A. M'DaCou.. Major Cen
eral; l.. H. Rosseau, Major. General;
George Crook, Major General; J Meredith,
Brevet Major General, committee on al
dress ..i''-'.
Washington, Aug. 19.-We cordially
approve the call for the convention, and
recommend the holding Q! local conventions
to cooperate in the movement:
John A. Dix, Major General; John B
Steedman, Major General: Frank p Blair,
Major General; Ii. W. Slocum, Major
General; Daniel Sickles, Major General;
Gordon Granger, Major General; John A..
McClernand, Major General; ID. n. Couch,
Major Gcn'l; w. w. Averill, Major Cen
eral; Ii. + Davies, Jr., Major General;
Orlando B, Wilcox, Major General; Al
pheus S. Williams. Major General, and
many other officers.