The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-23
Hon. HeisteP ClymeF and Gov.
James L. Orr.
leave him.

During the sitting of the late Phila-
delphia Convention, the Central Johnson
and Clymer Club held a meeting each
evening. Among other persons of note,
who made speeches, was Governor James
L. Orr, of South Carolina. The fact that
Governor Orr had been in active rebellion
against the United States seems not 20
have abated his popularity with Clymer
Democrats a single iota, for upon ascend
ing the stage, he was greeted with three
cheers, and upon rising to speak, he was
loudly applauded and again given three
cheers AS was natural and proper, he
congratulated himself on being able again
to be by the side of his old Democratic
brethren. Governor Orr makes very fair
promises. He makes the people of the
South appear very contrite and willing
to do more to uphold the results of the
war than even the steadfast North.
Of the public debt he says "Although
your public debt was contracted in war
against that section from which came, I
should feel that any rcpudiation of that
debt tarnished my honor" Governor Orr
for several sessions was member of the
House of Representatives and once its
Speaker. At each session, and when he
became Speaker, he took solemn oath
to support the Constitution of the United
States yet in sixty-one, he violated his
oath and plunged into rebellion. Hence,
it is very natural to take the Governors
fair promises at pretty large discount.
Then, again, for the Governor, in speak
ing to Northern people, to call the public
debt "your public debt" and to say as he
does, 81 am in favor Of acknowledging
all debts contracted by your government,
or my government, for aohateUer purpose"
is simply to utter words tina; at the North
will mean one thing and at the South may
mean another. The people of Pennsylva-
MA will not likely be deceived by such
Juggling. The Governor has made more
straightforward promises many time, and
broke them as he would thread
On behalf of the people of the South,
the Governor says: "The Nationality Of
the Government has been definitely set
tied. The Union is inseparable and the
South is ready to stand to the decree made
upon the field of battle. We accept the
decision, and intend to carry it out, ard
to aid you in carrying it out" Very good,
so far as it goes, but the Nationality of
the country is not the only thing settled
by the war. Also, "the people of the
South are better satisfied with the settle
ment than if it had been a decree made
by the most powerful government on
earth"
Some of our readers may think these
promises Indicate the true feeling of the
people of South Carolina, but let us ex-
anime the acts of the people of that State
through their chosen Legislature and
State Convention.
The President required of South Caro-
lima during the fall of last year that she
would ratify the amendment abo fishing
slavery, that she would repudiate all debts
contracted to aid the rebellion, that the
ordinance of secession should be declared
void from the first, and he also desired
the passage of code in reference to free
persons of color that would be acceptable
to the country, at the same :ime doing
justice to the white and colored population.
South Carolina ratified the amendment
abolishing slavery under the pressure of
telegram saying, "The President consid-
ers the acceptance Of the amendment by
South Carolina as indispensable to res
toration of her relations with the other
States of the Union" Previous to this,
her Legislature refused to ratify the
amendment.
Her Convention repealed the secession
ordinance, but adjourned refusing to
declare it void from the beginning. Yet
Governor Orr expects the loyal North to
believe his saying that the people he rep
resents accept it as settled that the Union
is inseparable.
The State has not to this day disayowed
'sdebts and obligations created or assumed
in her name on behalf or in aid of the
rebellion" Nor does Governor Orr inti-
mate any intention of her so doing.
She did, however, pass code for her
free neproee nj which the follovino oro