The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-30
CONCLUDED FROM THIRD PAGE.

an the DART Ol tilc BGOpIG " lIlp dulIlOr-
itv of the rational government.
'put the concurrent testimony of those
host acquainted with the condition of
~ The South, including that of its repre-
l -, in this Convention, establish
~ the fact that the great mass of the
southern people accept, with as full and
sincere submission as do the people Of
che other States the re-established SUI
nremacy of the national authority, and
are prepared, in the most loyal spirit,
and with zeal quickened alike by their
interest and their pride, to cooperate
With other States and sections in what
over may be necessary to defead the
RIGHTS, maintain the honor and promote
the welfare of our common country.
History affords no instance where peo-
nile so powerful in numbers, in resources
and in public spirit, after war so long
in its duration, so destructive in its pro-
gress and so adverse in its issue, have
accepted defeat and its consequences
with SO much of good faith as has mark
ed the conduct of the people lately in in
surrection against the United States.
Beyond all question this has been large
" due to the wise generosity with which
their enforced surrender was accepted
by the President of the United States
and the generals in immediate command
of their armies, and to the liberal meas
ures which were afterwards taken to re-
store order, tranquility and law to the
States where all had for the time been
overthrown. No steps could have been
better calculated to command the respect.
win the confidence, revive the patriot
ism and secure the permanent and atfec-
tomato allegiance of the people of the
South to the constitution and laws of the
Union than those which have been so
firmly taken and SO s.eadfastly pursued
by the President of the United States.
And if that confidence and loyalty have
been since impaired, the people of the
South are to-day less cordial in their al
legiance than they were immediately
upon the close OF the war, we believe it
is due to the changed tone of the legisla-
tive department of the general govern
ment towards them; to the action by
which Congress has endeavored to sup
plant and defeat the Presidents wise
and heneficent policy of restoration; to
their exclusion from all participation in
Our common government; to the with
drawel from them of rights conferred
and guaranteed by the constitution, and
to the evident purpote of Congress, in
the exercise of a usurped and unlawful
authority, to reduce them from rank of
OF free and equal members of Il republic
OF States, with rights and dignity uninl-
pared, to the condition of conquered
provinces and conquered people, in all
Things subordinate and subject to the
VIII of their conquerors; free only to
OBEY laws in making which they are
not allowed to share.
NO people has ever yet existed whose
loyalty and faith such treatment long
continued would not ALLEVIATE and inn
PAIR. And the ten millions of Ameri
cans who live in the South would be
unworthy citizens or free country. de-
generate sons of sn heroic ancestry, UNI
III ever to become guardians ofthe rights
ana liberties bequeathed to us by the
lathers and founders of this republic, if
lhey could accept, with accomplishing
suoinlssivenes, the humiliations thus
sought to be imposed upon them. Re-
sentiment OF inju lice il always ard uv-
fyWhere essential to freedom, and the
spirit which prompts the States and
people lately in Instruction, but insur-
gent now no longer, to protest against
lhe imposition OF unjust and degrading
conditions, makes them all the more
worthy to share in the government OF a
i q commonwealth, aud gives still
lelflnerassurauce of the future power and
freedom of the republic. For what ever
responsibility the Southern people may
nave incurred in resisting the authority
.! the national government and in taxi
ing up arms for its overthrow, they may
ne held to answer, as individuals, before
she judicial tribunals of the land, and
ior mat conduct, as societies and organ
wee, VIZ communities, they have already
l'n the most fearful penalties that can
lal, ON offending States in the losses, the
l, and humliations ofunsnccess-
1ui war. But whatever may be the
sulil or the punishment of the conscious
authors of the insurrection, candor and /
tpthl'non Justice demand the concession |
;at the great mass ofthose who became I
involved in its responsibility acted up /
E ~, wnat they believed to he their duty, |
t ~ ueience OF what they had been taught I
W. peileve their rights, or under a com f
nthulsioh, physical and moral, which /
i; WY were powerless to resist. Nor can
~ " amlss to remember that, terrible
w. nave been the bereavements and the
nl,,s OF this war, they have fallen ex-
SiuslVely upon neither section and up t