The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-10-09

~ The Raleigh Sentinel asks what prominent
man in the Republican party has said that if the
Southern States adopt the Howard amendment it
will settle all disputes and bring about reconcil
iaion. The Sentinel says such person has
made any such promise pledge, and neither
has the New York Tribune.
The Sentinel is mistaken, and we copy the fol-
lowing extract from the New York Tribune. "a
radical paper,) of the 2Sth Sept, to prove it.
The Tribune, in lengthy article. shows that it
was not satisfied with the Amendment because it
preferred something harsher and more degrading
for the South. but says
Our recent State Convention. in its Platform
Committee, voted down our distinct affirmation of
Jeffersons doctrine that every one who fights or
pays" should be invested with the Right of Suf-
frage and declared instead lover vote also]
that any State now unrepresented in Congress
which shall ratify the Amendment shall thereupOn
be admitted to representation in accordance with
the provisions of that amendment. This, there
fore, understand to be the position of the Re-
publican Union party of our State-that every
State lately in rebellion which SHALL with reason
able promptitude and in hearty good faith. accept
and ratify that amendment, shall thereupon be
entitled to immediate representation in Congress
IN accordance with its provisions. And, we
believe we can do more for the cause of Impartial
Freedom by acting with that party than by bolt
ing from and butting against it, we hold ourselves
bound to conform in action to its professions
and virtual pledges. If any of the outlying States
shall, during the lifetime of the present Congress.
ratify the Amendment aforesaid we shall feel
bound to advocate the admission thereupon of
their loyal representatives to seats in Congress.
AS to those which shall fit to stand out be-
yond the 4th of March next. shall feel at lib
erty TO act according to the circumstances then
existing. and to the ripper and clearer convictions
lyyhi nh frnSf fho SkotoS md yyiI
meanwhile have attained"
This is certainly pledge that the adoption of
the amendment will bring about decentralization
But we want the Sentinel to understand that we
are not advocating. at present, the adoption of
the amendment. We prefer the Presidents
policy. but do contend that if the President
fails in his effort to enforce that policy it would
be better to adopt the amendment rather than
have Thad. Stevens plan forced upon US at the
point of the bay"net.
And we also want il understood that do not
write on this subject for the purpose of affecting
the prospects of either Gov. Worth or Gen.
Dockery-the matter is too important to be
treated in partizan light-we want to see peace
and prosperity reign throughout our land, and
especially do want to see our own people
stored to their position in the Union, where they
can assist in preventing injurious Legislation.
Therefore again say that no public man should
pledge himself in advance against the amendment.
We fear that the Sentinel is doing much harm
by demanding pledges of candidates. and we
shall not be surprised if it hereafter finds to
regret its present course.
We have said in this issue of the Democrat
about all that we felt it duty TO say on this
subject. and we are not disposed to say more
hereafter. We leave the question with the South
ern people-whatever affects them affects us-if
they prosper we prosper-f they are ruined we
are ruined The Amendment would prevent
holding any office, but that would not hurt US by
any means,