Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-09-14
nnoffendinr and innocent freemen.

ment erected by himself against has and then
traitor prosecutors, was even more eager tC
illustrate his savage policy by clothing with
the most despotic power the impenitent and
revengeful rebels of New Orleans.
Notwithstanding the heartless desertior
aud cruel persecution by Andrew johnson,
in the States of Missouri, Kentucky, Ten.
nessee, West Virginia, Maryland and Dela
ware, democratic republican principles
principles which the fathers of the Repub
lie designed for all America-are nov
making determined battle with the oligar
chial enemies of free constitutional govern
ment ; and by the blessing Of God these
States will soon range themselves in the line
with the former free States and illustrate
the wisdom and beniicence Of the great
charter of American Liberty by Their
increasing population, wealth and prosperi-
ty.
In the remaining ten States-the seeds Of
oligarchy planted in the Constitution by Its
slavery features have grown to be a monster
power Recognition thus wrung from the
reluctant trainers Of that great Instrument.
enabled these States to intrench themselves
behind the perverted doctrine Of States
Rights, and sheltered by claim of consti-
tutlonal obligation to maintain slavery in
the States, presented to the American Gov
ernment the alternatives Of oligarchy with
slavery, or, democratic republican govern
ments without slavery
torbearlng Government, bowing to a
supposed constitutional behest, acquiesced
In the former alternative.
The hand of the Government was stayed
for eighty years. The principles of consti-
tUtional liberty languished for want of GOV
power with subtle design. It's history, for
eighty years, is replete with unparalleled
injuries and usurpations. 1t developed
only the agricultural localities
ally distinct from the free labor localities,
African slaves. 1t held four millions of
human beings as ctdttets, yet made them
the basis of unjust representative power for
themselves in Federal and State Govern
ments to maintain their enslavement.
1t excluded millions of free white labor
ers from the richest agricultural lands Of the
world forced them to remain, inactive and
unproduetive, on the mineral, manufaetur-
ing and lumber localities comprising two
thirds of the whole South. in square miles,
and real undeveloped wealth-simply be-
cause these localities we're agriculturally too
poor for slave labor.
Condemned them to agriculture, on this
unagricultural territory and consigned them
to unwilling ignorance and powerfully de-
rying capital and strangling enterprise.
Itrepelled the capital, energy, will, and
skill of the free States, from the free labor
localities, by unmitigated intolerance and
proscription-thu guarding the approaches
to their slave domain against democracy.
Statute books groaned under despotic
laws against unlawful and insurrectionary
assemblies aimed at the constitutional
guarantees Of the right to peaceably assem-
bic and petition for redress Of grievances.
1t prescribed democratic literature as in
cenaiary
1t nulhied the constitutional guarantee of
freedom of speech and the press.
1t deprived citizens of the other States of
the privileges and immunities in their
States, an injury and Hsurpation alike unjust
to Northern citizens and destructive of the
best interests Of the States themselves.
Alarmed at the progress of democracy in
the face Of every dlseouragement, at last 1t
sought immunity BY secession and war
The heart siekens with the contemplation
of the four years that followed-forced loans,
impressments, conscriptions, with blood
hounds aud bayonet, murder of aged Union
men, who had long laid aside the implements
of labor, but had been summoned anew to
the field by the conscription of their sons,
to support children and grandchildren re
duced from comfort to the verge of starva-
ton; the slaughter of noble youths, types
of physical manhood forced into an unholy
war against those with whom they were
identified by every interest long months of
in bastiles, baniShment from
homes and hearthstones, are but partial
recital of the long catalogue of horrors.
But Democracy, North and South com
bined defeated them They lost What
did they lose2 The cause Of oligarchy ??
They lost African slavery bg name only
Soon as the tocsin of war ceased--soon as
the ciang Of arms was hushed-they raise
the cry Of immediate admission, and with
that watchword seek to organize under new
forms contest to perpetuateth their unbridled
sway. They rehabilitate their sweeping
control of all local and State organizations
The Federal Executive, easily seduced,
yields willing obedience to his old mas
ters. Aided by his unscrupulous disregard
Of Constitution and laws, by his merciless
of true democratic opinion,
and by all his appliances of despOtic power,
they now defantly enter the lists in the 10y
al North, and seek to wiring fiom freemen
m endorsement of their wicked designs
Every foul agency is at work to accomplish
this result Falsely protesting to assent to
The abolition of slavery they are contriving
to continue its detestable power, by legisla-
i've acts, against pretended vagrants. They
know that any form of servitude will answer
heir unholy purpose. They pronounce the
four years war brilliant sword scene in the
great revolutionary drama. Proscriptive
public sentiment holds high carnival, and,
DroftiDg by the example Of the Presidential
pilgrim, breathes out threatenings and
slaughter against loyalty, ignores and de-
lounces all legal restraints and assails with
he tongue of malignant slander the consti-
chosen representatives of the peo.
pie
To still the voice of liberty-dangerous
alone to tyrants-midnigh conhagrations,
and murders in open day, are
,alled to their aid. A reign of terror through
Ill these ten States makes loyalty stand silent
n the presence of treason, or whisper in
1ated breath. Strong men hesitate openly
20 speak for liberty and decline to attend a
at Philadelphia for fear of de-
But all Southern men are not yet awed
nto submission to treason; and we have
assembled from all these States, determined
hat liberty, when endangered, shall find
and that the Government of
he people, by the people, for the people,
shall not perish from the earth. = We are
1ere TO consult together how best to provide
'or a Union of truly Republican States to
:eek to resume thirty-six stars on the old
lag We are here tn GEO that fen Of the