The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1866-08-23

. fafp Constitution OF the lnlteu STATES VA
/ intended most carefully 20 provide. w
I Ia nd a strict adherence 10 its provisions
Z ln this, and ibis alone, can be- found a basil
/ or permanent union and peace.
Fom bat it rs alleged, in justification
ofths usUrpatiou which we condemn, that
I the condition Of the Southern States an,
people isIsi such as rendeTs sale their ~
adm .ssi0u to a share ia the Government o
the country; that they are still disloyal in
sentiment and purpose and that neither TIE
honor The credit, nor interest of the nation
would be safe, we've they admitted to tbs
councils Of the nation
We reply 10 this, First.-That we have ne
right, for such reasons, 20 deny To any por
ton of the States or people any right con-
f,red upon them by the Constitution of the
United States. Second, that so long as their
acts are those of loyalty, so long as they con.
form in all their public conduct TO the re-
quirrments of the Constitution and laws we
have no right 10 distrust the purposes or the
ability of the people of the Union TO protect
and defend, under all contingencies, and by
whatever means may be required, its honor
and its welfare
These would, in our Judgment, be full and
conclusive answers TO the plea thus advanced
for the exclusion of these States from the
Union; but we say, further, that this plea
rests on a complete misrepresentation or an
Unjust perversion of existing facts We do
not hesitate to affirm that there is no section
OF the country where the Constitution and
laws of the United States find more entire
or prompt obedience than among those peo-
pie who were lately in arms against them,
or where there is less purpose or danger of
any further attempt to overthrow their au-
authority. 1t would seem to be more natu-
raj and inevitable that in States so recently
swept by the whirlwind of war where all
ordinary modes OF organized industry have
been broken up, and the bonds and influ-
ences that guarantee social order have been
destroyed: where thousands and tens of
thousands of turbulent spirits have been sud-
denly released from the discipline of war, aud
thrown without resources orrestraint upon "A
disOrganized and chaotic society, and where
the keen sense of defeat is united TO the over
throw of ambition and hope--scenes of vio-
lenee should defy for a time the imperfect dis
cipline Of law, and excite anew the fears and
forcbodngs ofthe patriotic and well disposed.
1t is unquestiOnably true that local disturb
ances of this kind, accompanied by more
or less violence, do occur but they are
confined to the large cities of the South,
where different races and interests are most
closely in contact, and where passions and
reSentments are most easily fed and famed
into outbreak and even there they are quite
as much the fruit of untlmcly and hurttul
political agitation as of any hostility on the
part of the people to the National Govern
ment, But the concurrent testimony of
those best acquainted with the condition of
society and state of public sentiment in the
South, including its representation in this
convention, establishes the fact that the great
mass of the Southern people accept with as
full aud sincere submission as do the other
States, the re-establshed supremacy of the
National authority, and are prepared, in the
most loyal spirit, ana with zeal qnickened
alike by their interest and their pride, TO co
operate with other States and sections in
whatever may be be necessary 10 maintain
the right, promote the welfare aud sustain
the honor of our common country History
presents no instance where people so pow
ertul in numbers, in resources, and in public
spirit, after war so long in its duration, so
destructive in its progress, and so adverse in
its issue have accepted defeat and its conse-
quences with 50 much of good faith rs has
marked the conduct of the people lately in
against the u. States. Beyond
all question this has been mainly due to the
wise generosity with which their inforced
was accepted by the President of
the United States, and the Generals in i'm
mediate command. and the liberal measures
which were afterward taken to restore order,
and law to the States where be-
fore all had been overthrow. No steps
could have been better calculated to win the |
respect, revive the patriotism, and secure |
the permanent support of the people of the |
South to the Constitution and Union, than
steadf,stIv nursued Inv the President Of tbo
United Statea; and if that condolences and
LOYALTY has been impaired. if the people IN.
Law are less firm I'm their ALLEGIANCE Than az
the close of the war we believe it is dine 10
the changed tone of the legislation toward
them. Compress has endeayored TO snpnlant
md defeat the Presidents wise and beneG-
cent policy OF restoration; TO their exclnsion
ron, all narticiuation in our common Gov.
,rnment: to tlie withdrawal from tbom of
,igbts conferred and auaronteed Inv +be Con.
titntion. and TO fine evident nurnose Of Con.
rress In fine exercise of nsrrned and unlo,y.
nj authority. TO reduce them from tbe rank
# free and canal members of a RenuhIic of
states with RIGHTS and identities ,nimnoired
n tbe condition of conoicred naonle i'm oil
hines subordinate and subject 10 tbe viii Of
heir connuerors only to obev laws In
nakino which they are NOT allowed IN
have No peoplc has over vet cvie+oJ
chose lovolt1 and fifth sncI, t,.o,t,no,,t
ono continued would not alienatl al
- - 49, .,,, ,,,iI1;,, - - ~
p''tt ~ ~ VI AileI 'cdiiS
no i'e ~ Vro 0"uth "ouiu nc unworthy
ltlzehs Oh Il free country, degenerate sOns
Il an heroic ancestry, unit ever to become
guardians of the rights and liberties be-
ueathed to MS by the fathers and founders
f this Republic if they could accept, with
sulmissiveness The condi
;ons Tins sonybt IN be in,nosed ,,no,, ,l,an,