The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-09-19
Fom The National TnteIligencer.
FRUITS OF VICTORY"

one OF the many cant phrases with which
the Radical press and Radical speakers
seek to impose upon the unthinking is, that
y the policy ofthe Administrations prevails,
!" We shall lose all the fruits Of victory
anu our iour years struggle will be in vain.
Inc irult OF victory at which we all aimed
from the beginning to the end of the strug-
gle Was, the return Of the Southern people
TO their duties as citizens of the United
States. That was the one paramount OBJ
Ject Of our Struggle. Individuals may have
been influenced by other motiyes-tha
mercenary by that Of plunder. the ambi-
tlous by hopes Of distinction, the injured
by thirst tor vengeance. But the great
bulk OF the American people aimed ali
nothing but The recognition of the Union
Of its obligations and its priyiIeges-on the
part OF their Southern fellow citizens.
How often, and with what variety of en.
phasis and OF entreaty, was the appeal
made to the men of the South to abandon
their armed resistance to the Government
and everything should be forgottoa and for
gwen And when that resistance was
abandoned, and the surrender of Lee was
followed by that of Johnston and Kirby
Smith, aud the whole people showed a
ready willingness TO reconstruct on what
ever basis the North night prescribe, there
was every disposition 10 treat them with
Kindness aud magnanimity. Abolition OF
slavery was demanded. The reputation
ol ihe rebel debt was insisted upon. The
annuillng of the secession ordinances was
required. Bot the proposition to impose
negro suffrage was almost universally scout
ed. Military law prevailed until the civil
authority could be resumed. Conventions
were called, under the auspices of the Ex-
ecntiye as coumandef.in chief. New con-
stitutions were adopted. States officers
elected, and the machinery Of. government
transferred from the military to the civil
power. In the meantime the Federal pro-
perty was recovered, the Federal courts
restored, the post routes reestablished, the
customs collected, the internal tax paid,
and the authority of the flag respected.
What was all this but the fruits Of the VIC
tory which we have won. and won, too, not
amid sullenness and disaffection. but amid
cheerful Submission and hearty acquies-
cence? History records no grander vic.
tory. II was not the triumph of an ex-
ultant conqueror over Frustrated enemy !;
but the victory Of magnanimous rival,
mindful OF the ties of common broker
houd, over our alienated, but now recon-
ciled friends. And only one thing remain
ed to be done. The most hagrant act Of
hostility of the Suuth TO the Union was the
withdrawal its representatives from Con
gress. The most significant act Of sub ].
mission to the Federal authority is the re-
quest that they hill be admitted back to
their seats. Yet this, which is the last and
most binding act Of the Southern people.
was long since performed, while it is Con.
gress which, under the pretence Of being
foilei uf the fruits Of victory, keeps the
South Knocking 10 vain for admission. anu
in so doing dsregards the obligations ot
the Constitution and bellies the character os
the American people. Such a course and
such pretence may deceive unthinSins
partisans, but il viii not mislead the intel
Iigent voter Or the sagacious patriot.
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