Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-08-02
THE SOUTHERN UNIoNIsTs.

THE SOUTHERN UNlONISTs.
- "I.g g.t g..
CIRCULAR ACCOMPANYING THE CALL FOR A
CONVENTION OF LoYALTsTs FROM THE
SOUTHERN STATES.
WAsuINoToy ID q 10Th JuIv 1864
SIR: The unders;gned have been appoint-
ed by the sirners of the sccompanvine call
a COMMITTEES TO address Won in their bshajf
and urse von to nromnt and energetic efforts
in the snnointment az delegates from vonr
State and section 10 meet delegates from, the
other Southern States in PHILADELPHIA. on
the first Monday in Sentember next Rv
the strong ties Of common mfFeripes in the
past. and the dangers present and future
which surronnd ne VIC anneal IN Won once
more To come IN the rescne in moment of
imminent danger TO yourselves and our
countty.
We had hoped that when treason was
beaten in the field and her armed traitors
captive to the Government which thew had
wickedly sought to destroy. we of the South
who, through four long wears of untold suf.
feriDps and horrors. adhered To her fortunes
and her banner amidst all the changes and
yicissitudes of war. would at least receive
protection TO all Constitutional rights
of American citizens. We relied con.
fideDtly on the cause of Justice and graft.
tude Of all loyal citizens of the United
States through their Senators and Repre-.
septatives in Congress to guard in the most
effectual manner our future peace and securi-
ty against the malevolence, vindic,iveDcss,
hate and disloyalty of the late Rebels This
confidence we believe has not been mis-.
placed We relied, too. as we had a right
to RELY, on the earnest and efficient cooper.
alton of the Executive of the nation, placed
in power by the great Union party of the
country, because of his supposed devotion
to the Government and his abborrepce of
treason and desire to see ''inteuioent, con
scious traitors" punished and made disrep-
utable. .r w
We confidently expeeted his hearty CO.
operation with the political department of
the Governments in the States lately in Re-
bellion as would protect the country from
conspirators, in official positions, against its
peace. and secure the loyal citizens in life.
liberty and property. together with the in
estimable privilege of Undressing upop the
minds of others his conscientious convictions
of truth by speecb or through the medium
of the press. We also had reason to bope
that the freedman as well as the leval white
man in the South would find annie protec-
tion for all his rights as an Amsrican citi-
zen. by actual military force If necessary,
until equal laws and corrected public senti.
ment would mis- ce them ON firm and endur-
ing basis. Tn these homes, nredicated on
the oft-reneated declarations of the Presi.
dent we have been erieyously disappointed
-cruelly deceived.
We have neither seen treason made odieus
nor traitors disronptable bv anv act of the
Executive of the nation. We hare seen
traitors-leading. infellioent. conscious trai.
tors-bearing away from the national capital
with exultation, in the same pocket in.
demnity fer the past and Endorsement and
security for the future in the form of special
psrdons and appointments to Federal Office
while leading. intelligent Unionists were
made conscious that fidelity to the Gorern
ment was not the passport to Executive
favor, but. on the contrary. servils subser.
viency to the President and his ''pelicy" as
against the deliberate and matured judg
ment Of the loyal people of the United
States aud the Constitutional power of the
Senators and Representatives in Congress,
were the only conditions required of appli-
cants for favor whose CLAIMS thus sustained
were in no instance impaired by reasonable
antecedents.
We have seen our States that remained in
Rebellion to the close of the war, without an
exception, reunited to the control of q
Rebel magistracy' elected by Rebels to the
exclusion OF the friends OF the Union. -
With one voice we can testify to the en-
couragement given to traitors and treason
able sentiments in the South In the past
twelve months, and the deep gloom and
desrondency which has settled upon the
minds and hearts OF the loyal people 10
those States. .l...
When the effect of the Presidents policy
was first felt to be pernicious and ruinous
we were iustifed-certainly excusable-in
believing that it was but an error in judg
ment which would be corrected by him with
nromntitude as soon as discovered. We
had well boped that he would hold to a Just
accountability those who we believed had
so grossly abused hisclemency and apparent
magnanimity. They have doubtless under
stood him far better than we. The entire
course of the Rebels seems to meet his un'
qualified assent and appreciation. The elec.
tion of an unpardoned Rebel to the Chief
Maqistracy of Rebel State, who in his
first message to the Legislature denounced
the war on the palt of the United States
against the Rebellion as the most unholy
and disgraceful in character ever praeticed
by Christian nation, had the effect Of pro
curing his speedy pardon.
The entire control BY late Rebels and pres