Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-02-26
dice. He says

"HreluQice NudL MEuubos Nudt injuries hAa'
mischief, what lsmentable consequences have re-
suited at all times from nothing but this peryersty
Of the Intellect. OF all the obstacles 10 the al
yancement OF truth and human progress, IN every
department, in science, in art, in government and IN
religion, in all ages aud times, not one on the list Is
more formidable than this horrible distortion Of the
moral as well as intellectual faculties. II Is a host
Of evil within itself. ! could enjOin no greater duty
upon my cOuntrymen now, North and south, than
the exercise OF that degree OF torbearance which
would enable them to conquer their preJudices. One
Of the highest exhibitions Of the general subject The
world ever witnessed was that of Daniel Webster,
when, in an open barOucEe, in the streets OF Boston,
he proclaimed in substance ~ a vast assemblage OF
his Notwithstanding hearers-that they had
conquered an uncOngenial cline, they had conquered
the winds and elements OF tine ocean, they had con-
quered most Of the elements Of nature, but they must
vet learn 10 conquer their pTejudIce% ] know VI no
more fitting incident or scene IN the life Of that
wonderful man, CLGTES e car JOTtISSimHS, for per
p~etuating the true greatness OF his character on cam
yass or IN marble, than a representation of him as
he then and there stood and spoke. II was an exit
bItiOn oil moral grandeur, surprising that OF Arts
tides, when he said. 'AthenIans, what INmlstOcles
recommends would be greatly TO your interest but
il would be unjust" say to you, and If my voice
and dale, over mountain and valley-to howell ham.
let and mansion, village, town and city wOulu
say among the first, looking 10 the restoration oil
peace, prosperity and harmony IN this land, Is the
| Efe1t QuLF OF Exercising Lu1l utElCc VI
which will enable them to conquer their p%reJudices
against communities as well as individuals, ana
next 10 that the indulgence Of a Christian spirit oil
charity. Judge not that We be not Judged, es'
peeially in matters growing out Of the late war.
Another one Of our present duties is this: we
should cccept the tSSues II the wGr, and a6!dc oy
them in good faith. This, ] am fully persuaded, 1t
i your purpose 10 do, a. we'll rs that OF your con-
stituentS. The people Of Georgia have IN convention
-.I.l b.r ,rlTnansa of 1S6l which was intended
10 sever her from the compact OF union OF lfoL-
The Constitution OF the United States has been re-
ordained as the organic law Of our land. Whatever
differences of opinion heretofore existed as 10 where
our all glance was due during the late state OF
things, none for any practical purpose can exist
now. Whether Georgia, by the action OF her
Convention Of 1861, was ever rghttully out oil
the Union or not, there can be no question thGt
she is HOW IN, so far as dePeadS upon her ftH'
and / deem the WhOic URlted STATES heTcJOre
Is nOw vithOut question our country, to be cher
iShed and defended as such by all our hearts and
by all our arms. The Constitution Of the United
states. and the Treaties and laws made in pursuance
thereof. are now acknowledged to be the paramount
law in this whole country. Whoever, therefore, IS
true 10 these principles is now recognized as loyal,
as far as that term has any legitimate use or force
under our institutions. This is the only kind OF 10y
atty. and the only test Of loyalty that the ConStItu-
zion itself requires. In any other view, everything
pertaining 10 restoration, 50 far AS regards the great
body of the people, in at leas, eleven States OF the
Union. is but making a promise To the ear 10 be
broken 70 the hope. All, therefore, who accept tue
issue of the war in good faith, and come up TO the
test required by the Constitution, are now loyal,
however they may have heretofore been.
One of the most interesting portions of his
address is that in which he ~counselS the South
ern whites in regard to their conduct towards
the blacks. lie says;
This duty Of giving this new system a fair and
lust trial will require OF you, as legislators oil The
tand, great changes in our former laws IN. regard to
this large class OF population. Wise and humane
prDyis.ons should be made for them. IL Is not iOl
me 10 90 into detail. Suffice il 10 say, on this Occa-
sion, that ample and full protection should be Sc
cured to them so that they may start equal before
the Law in the possession and enjoyment OF all rights
Of personal liberty and property. Many c~onSidera-
tons claim this at your hands. Among these may
be stated their fidelity in times past. They cultl-
waited your fields, ministered 10 your personal wants
aud comforts, nursed and reared yOUr children, ana
even IN the hour OF danger and peril they were IN
the main true 70 you and yours. 10 them we owe a
debt Of gratitude as well Us acts OF Kindness. This
should also he done because they are poor, untutored,
uniformed. many of them helpless, liable to be I'M
posed upon, and need It. Legislation should ever
look to the protection OF the weak against the
strong. Whatever may be said Of the equality 81
race, or their natural capacity to become equal, We
can doubt that at this time this race among US Is not
elual to the Caucasian. This inequality does not
essen the moral obligations on the part OF the supe'
nor to the inferior. II rather increases them. From
him who has much mors Is required than flom him
who has little
He further says:
Channels of education should be opened up to
them; schools and the usual means OF moral and
Intellectual training should be encouraged among
them. This will dictate not only OF what i ught
proper and lust in itself. but il Is also the prompt
ings Of the highest consideration of interest
The concluding passages of this address are
rs follows
You can form an idea Of my views of that from
what has already been said. Would that | could
>ay something cheerful, but that candor which has
kmarked all that have SAID compels me to say that
10 ME the future is far from being bright. Nay, II Il
dark and impenetrable thick gloom curtains and
loses IN the horizon all around US. This much
IAN SAY. my only hope is in the peaceful re-estab'
shmeut VI good Government aud is peaceful main,
-enance aftergard, aud further, tie most hopeful
prospect 10 this agg now, is the restoration OF the
old Union, and with il the speedy return OF %traternaI
feeling throughout its length and breadth. These re-
suits depend upon the people themselves, upon the
people Of the North quite as much as the
south. upon their virtue, intelligence and pa
triOtism. but for this / should have long since
lespaired dark and gloomy "a the present houl
: do not get despair of free institutions, but
the virtue, intelligence and patriotism OF the peo'
Die throughout the whole country be properly APP
L uealeu 10, aroused anu brought llL GCllOn' anu al
nav vet be well. The masses everywhere are alike
equally interested in the great object. Let old u.
sues. old questions, old differences and old ieuds be
regarded as fossils Of another epoch. They belong
10 what will hereafter be considered the sIlurian pc
rod OfOur history. Great news and living questions
are before Us Let { not be said OF uS in this day. not
vet pasSed. Of our c~Ountry's trial and agOuy, that there
was u party for C9SIr, and a party for Pompey. and
A party for ButnS, but no party for Rome, but all
patriots by whatever distinction heretofore styled,
rally in AL elections. Everywhere to the support OF
MIN. be he whom he may, who bears the standard
with Constitution embl9ZOned on its folds, PresI-
lent Johnson S now, in my Judgment, the ohiel
great standard bearer of these principles, and IN his
efforts at restoration should receive the cor
dial support of every well-WiSher of his country.
In this consists really my only hopes. Should
ne be sustained, and the Government be restored to
= former functions. all the States brought back e
their practical relations under the Constitution
our situation will be greatly changed from what II
vas before. 4 radical and fundamental change a.
mas been stated, has been in that organic law We
.haI have lost what was known Is our pecu
lar institution, which so intertwined with the
whole framework Of our State body polite. We
shall have lost nearly half the accumulated capital
Of a century, but shall have still lett the essential q
free Government contained and embodied IN the OLD
Constitution. untouched and unimpaired, as they
came from the hands Of our fathers. With these
even If we had 20 begin entirely anew, the proSpec
before Us would be much more encouraging
tlAh AN NAhSpGNl uGlhl AuIhu NANA hANt
lied from the expressions Of the old world anC
sought shelter and homes in this then wilderness land
The liberties We begin with they had TO achieve
With the same energies sud virtues they displayed
we have much more to cheer us than they had
With a climate unrivalled in salubriety, with a sol
UNSURPASSED in fertility, and with products une
mailed in value in the markets of the world, to SAY
nothing Of minetal resources, we shall have mucl
.rl To we'd us 70 the good old land, with good Gov
eroment-the mauix from which aiOas springs Al
creat human achievements-we shall lack nothinl
INIT our own proper exertOnS, not only to recOye
our former prosperity, but TO attain a much highe
degree of development than has ever before charac
tsrlzed a great, free and happy people. Al ieast
know OF no land the sun shines on that orers bette
prospects under these contingencies. The OLD mo
was based on the assumption that It was Tor the ots
interests Of the people Of the United States To D
united as they were, each Stail faithfully pertorulln
TO the people Of other States ali their Sbl!gatiqn
under a common compact. l always said ina
E this sumption was founded upon broad, correc
, and statssmahIike principles. l think so yet !
+, was only when it sseaaGd 10 be impossible further I
ma ntaiu il without bazaFding EIeAter evils thal
would perhaps attend a separation, that l yisldei
@ my aNsent in obedience TO the voice Of Georgia, 4
uy t1e experiment Just resulting so diSastrously I,
!. lnueed' during tho whole lameRiable conflict
Twas ~! opinion that however tie pending strif
, mlgn1 terminate, SO far "a the appeal 10 the swOrI
was concerned, alter a while. when the passions anC