The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-06-06

hope exhausted, and in every State its
armed forces and official authorities
gave themselves up as prisoners of war.
The Presidents annual message to the
present Congress thus clearly states
the condition Of the country, and the
question thereby imposed upon him:
"I found the States suffering from
tht effects of civil war. Resistance
to the General Government appeared
to have exhausted itself. The United
States had recovered possession Of their
forts and arsnels, and their armies were
in the occupation of every State which
had attempted to secede. Whether the
territory within the limits OF those
States should be held as conquered
territory, under military authority
emanating from the President as the
head ofthe army, was the first question
that presented itself for decision"
After stating the objections to the
continuance of merely military rule,
the alternative course chosen by him
and supported by his Cabinet is thus
clearly set forth:
provisional governors have been ap-
pointed for the States, conventions cal
led, governors elected, Legislatures as
sembled, and representative chosen
to the Congress of the United States.
At the same time, the courts OF the
United States, as far as could be done,
have reopened, so that the laws of the
United States may be enforced through
their agency. The blockade has been
removed and the custom-houses re-esta-
blished in ports of entry, so that the
revenue of the United States may be
collected. The Office Department renews
its caseless activity, and the General
Government is therebl enabled to COM
municate promptly with its officers and
agents. The courts bring security to
persons and property; the opening of
the ports invite the restoration of in
dustry and commerce; the post office,
renews the facilities of social intercourse
and of business."
No one better than Mr.. johnson un-
derstood the solemn duty imposed upon
educational Executive to maintain the
national authority, vindicated at so
great sacrifice, and the obligation not
to suffer the just fruits of so fierce a
struggle, and of so many battles and
victories, to slip away or turn to ashes.
In,many speeches to delegations from
loyal States, in dispatches to provision
al governors acting under his authority
and in declarations made to the public
for their information, there was no dis
guise of his purpose to secure the peace
and tranquility of the country on just
and sure foundations.
These measures received the cordial
support Of every member ofthe Cabinet
and were approved by the sentiments
declared by conventions in nearly all
of the States. One point of difference
presented itself, namely: the basis of
representation. By some it was thought
just and expedient that the right of
suffrage in the rebel States should be
secured in some form to the colored in
habitants of those States, either as a
universal rule or to those qualified by
education or by actual service as soldiers
who ventured life for their Government.
My own mind inclined to this view, but
after calm and full discussion my Judge
ment yielded to the adverse arguments
resting upon the practical difficulties to
be encountered in such a measure, and
to the Presidents conviction that to
prescribe rule of suffrage was not with
in the legitimate scope of his power.
The plan of organization embodied
in the proclamation to the people Of
North Carolina, and the instructions to
the Provisional Governor of that State,
exhibit the system and principles pre-
scribed by the President for the substi-
tuition of civil authority in the place Of
universal military rule in the insurrec.
tionary States. In this plan two things
presented by the proclamation and the
Presidents instructions are worthy OF
special notice:
First. That the exercise of the organ.
ling power is specifically and absolute
ly restricted to the people ''who are 10y.
al to the United States, and no Others
This is in rcordance with the views of
ten declared by Mr.. johnson from the
commencement of the rebellion, and un
der the most impressive circumstances
Secondly. The choice of delegates
was not only limited to loyal people
and no others, but constitutional guaran
ties were required in respect to the eman
cipation of slaves and the reputation O
the rebel debt. A sound reason fol
such guarantees in respect to slavery il
stated by the President in his message
namely, the necessity of"the evidence
of sincerity in the future maintenance Of
the Union"
Those views expressed by the Presi
dent in his message received, and con
tinue to receive, my cordial acquiescenct
and support. Who are loyal people il
a question that ought not to be difficult
of decision.
After full explanation of the steps ia
ken by him to restore the constitution
al relations of the States, the President
in his annual message, proceeds to state
with equal distinctness, what remains
to be done, and to whom the authority
and duty of doing it belongs, in the fol
lowing words:
"The amendment to the Constitu
ton being adopted, it would remain TO
the States whose powers have been 81
long in allegiance to resume their place
| in the two branches of the Nationa
Legislature, and thereby complete thu
work of restoration. Here tbs for you
fellow-citizens of the Senate, and fo
you, fellow-citizens of the House Of Rep