The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-21
The rank Of free and equal members of a

| the rank of free and equal members of a
Republic Of States, with rights and digni-
ties unimpaired, to the condition OF con
( quered provinces and q conquered people
I'm oil things subordinate and snbjc to
| the Will OF their conqucrors-free only to
obey laws, in making which they are not
allowed to share.
No people has ever yet. existed whose
loyalty and faith sueh treatment, long con-
tlnued, would not alionate and .impair. and
the ten millions Of Americans who live in
the South wonld be unworthy cttizens Of a
1ree country; degenerate sons Of an heroic
ancestry, unfit ever to become guardians
OF the rights and liberties beaueathod to
public. they could accept, with uuco,n-
planning submission, the humiliation thus
sought to be imposed upon them. Resent
ment OF injustice Ia always and everywhere
essential to freedom; and the spirit which
prompts the States aud people latelv in
insurrection, but insurgents now NO longer.
to protest % ainst the Imposition Of unjust
and degrading conditions, makes them ali
the more worthy to share in the govcrn-
ment OF free commonwealth, and gives
st1ll hrmer assurance OF the future power
and freedom of the Republic.
F. For whatever responsibility tho South
ern people may have incurred in resisting
the authority Of the National Government,
and IN taking up arms for its overthrow,
they may be held to answer as individuals
before the judicial tribunals Of the land:
and Tor that conduct, as societies and or
ganizcd communities, they have already
paid the most fearful penalties that can
fall on offending States, in the losses. the
sunerlngs, and the humilis stions OF unsuc-
ceSsful war.
But whatever may be the guilt or the
punishment Of he conscious authors Of
the 1nsurrectlon, candor and common JUS
mass of those who became involved in it's
responsibility acted upon what they be-
ileved to be their duty, Id defence Of what
they had been taught to believe their
rights, or under compulsion, physical
and moral, which they wero poweriess to
resist.
Nor can it be amiss to remember that,
terrible as have been the bereavements
ana the losses OF this war, they have fallen
exclusively upon neither section, and upon
| ucither party; that they have fallen indeed
, with far greater weight upon those with
whom tho war began. That in the death
OF relatives and friends, tho dispersion Of
families, the disruption OF social systems
!; and social ties; overthrow of Governments,
of law, and OF order: the destruction OF
property, and Of forms, and modes, and
means Of industry; the loss OF political,
commercial, and moral influence in every
shape and form which great calamities can
assume, the States and people which en-
gagged in tho war against the Government
OF tho United States have suffered tcn-rold
more than those who remained in ale
glance to the Constitution and laws
These considerations may not ns they
certainly do not, justify the action Of the
people OF the insurgcnt States; but no Just
or generous mind will refuse to them very
considerable weight in deter mining the
line of conduct which the Government OF
the United States should pursue towards
them. They accept, If not with alacrily
certainly without sullcn resentment, tie
defeat and overthrow they have sustained
lhey acknowledge and acquiesce in the re-
suit, 20 themselves and the country, which
that defeat involves. They no longer claim
ioT any State the right to seccGe from tho
Union. They no longer assert for any State
an allegiance paramount to that which is
have accepted tho destruction OF slavery,
abolished it by their State Constitutions,
| and concurred with the States and peopl.
of tn" whole Union i'll prohibiting it's exist
ence forever upon the soil or within the
jurisdiction OF the United States They
indicate and cvince their purpose just so
fast as may be possible and safo to adapt
their domestic laws to the changed condi-
tion OF their society, and to secure by the
law and its tribunals equal and impartial
justice to all classes of their inhabi,ants
They admit the invalidity OF all acts of re-
slstance to the national authority, and OF
all debts incurred in attempting It's over
throw. They ayow their Willingness to
share the burdens and discharge all the
duties and obligations which rest upon
them III common with other States and
other sections of the Union, and they re-
new, through their representative in this
Convention by all thcir public conduct in
every way, and by the most solemn acts by
which States and societies can pledge their
ianh, Their engagement to bear true faith
and allegiance, through all time to come,
TO the Constitution of tho United States,
and to ali laws that may be made in pI,rsu-
ancc thereof.
Fclow-countrvmcn, we call uoon vou in
iuii reliance upon yoUr intelligence and
your patriotism, to accept with generous
and ungrudSlnS confidence this full sur
render on the part of those lately in arms
against your authority, and to share with
them the honor and renown that wait
those who bring back peace and concord to
jarring States.
The war just closcd-with all it's sorrows
and disasters opened a new career of
glory to the nation it has saved 1t has
swept away the host!litics o! sentiment
and Of interest which were standine me-
mace - Its peace. 1t has DESTROYED the
!hstltntion OF slavery always i cause of
sectional agitation and strife and has
opened to our country the way to unity of
interest, of principle and of action. through
all time To come. 1t has developed in both
sections 9 military capacity and aptitude
for achle- ements OF war both bv sta and
land, before unknown even to ourselves,
and destined 20 exercise hereafter under
ultrd councils, al importaHtAntuencc
di''n the character aau destiny OF tue
continent and tho world. And while it has
thus revealed, disciplined and compacted
our power, 1T has proved TO us, beyond
controversy or doubt, by The course pur-
sued towards both cont ending sections by
foreign powers. that we must be the guar