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

y. 0o.'al systems and social ties. the
oserthroW OF government, of law and
VI u oFaef, the destruction ofproperty and
OF forms and modes and means of indus.
.rS, me loss OF political, commercial and
moral influence, III evry shape and form
Whlch great calamites can assume tha
states and people which engaged in the
war against the government of the Uni
yea states have suffered tenloId more
.iiaii those who remained in allegiance
10 us constitution and laws.
These considerations may not, as thew
certainty 90 not justify the action of the
people or the lnsrrgent States; but no
just or generous mind will refuse to them
very considerable weight in determine
ing the line OF conduct which the gov
eminent of the United States should
pursue towards them.
Ihey accept, if not with alaerity, GER
talnly without sullen resentment. the
defeat and overthrow they have sustain
ed. They acknowledge and acquiesce
III the results, to themselves and the
country, which that defeat involves.
Ihey no longer claim for any State the
right to secede from the Union; they no
longer assert for any State an allegiance
paramount to that which is due to the
general government. They have accep-
tea the destruction of slavery, abolished
1t by their State constitutions, and con-
cured with the States and people of the
whole Union in prohibiting itsexistence
forever upon the soil or within the iuris-
dlctiOn ofthe United States. They in
dictate and evince their purpose Just so
fast as may be possible and safe to adopt
their domestic laws to the changed CON
dition of their society, and to secure 10y
the law and its tribunals equal and i'm
partial justice to all classes OF their in
habitants. They admit the invaidity
of all acts Of resistance to the national
authority, and of all debts incurred in
attempting its overthrow. They avow
their Willingness to share the burdens
and discharge all the duties and obiiga-
tons which rest upon them, in common
with other States and other sections of
the Union; and they renew, through
their representatives in this Convention,
by all their public conduct in every way
and by the most solemn acts by which
States and societies can pledge their
faith, their engagement To bear true faith
and allegiance, through all time to come,
to the constitution of the United States,
and to all laws that may be made in pur
suance thereof.
Fellow countrymen, we call upon you
in full reliance upon your intelligence
and upon your patriotism, to accept,
with generous and ungrudging conf
dence, this full surrender on the part OF
those lately in arms against yourauthor-
ity, and to share with them the honor
and renown that await those who bring
back peace and concord tojarring States.
oil
and disasters, has opened il new career
has swept away the hostIities OF senti-
ing menace to its peace. 1t has destroy
cause of sectional agitation and strife,
and has opened for our country the way
to unity OF interest, OF principle an. OF
action through all time to come. 1t has
developed in both sections a military
aptitude for achievements of
war. both by sea and land, before UNI
known even 10 ourselves, and destined
e. & xercise hereafter, under united coun-
ellis, an importai t influence upon the
character and destiny of the continent
and the world, And while it has thus
revealed, dicipline and compacted our
bower. it has proved to us beyond con-
froversy or doubt, by tfecourse pursued
towards both oontending sections by
foreign Powers, that we must be
the guardians of our own indepen-
lence, and that the principles of re-
publican freedom we represent can find
among the nations ofthe earth no friends
)r defenders but ourselves.
We call upon you, therefore, by every
of your own dignity, ana
safety, and in the name OF liberty
throughout the world, to complete the
work of restoration and peace which
.he President of the United States has
50 we'll begun, and which the policy
,dopted and the principles asserted by
he present Congress alone obslruct.
rhe time is close at hand when members
II a new Congress are to be elected. II
hat Congress shall perpetuate this poll-,
". and by excluding loyal States ana
Ieopie from representation in its nails,
hail continue the usurpation by when
he legislative powers ofthe government
ne now exercised, common prudence
.ompels us to anticipate augmented Gus
content. sullen Withdrawal rom me
luties and obligations of thefederal gov
,r,lment, internal di sension and gem
raj collision of sentiments and preten-
ions which may renew. in a still more
,t.I y.