Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-19

Congress recognizes the States declared
by a majority of its members to be ou
OF the Union, as constituting part of the
Union, and admit their loyal representa-
tiyes to seats in the halls of Congress
and permit them to participate in the
national legislation of the country, the
sooner will be allayed the fears and ap
prehensions Of the people of the dangers
which again menace the peace of the
country and the perpetuity Of the Union
| With the most bitter and vindictivs
feelings, a war Of words for thirty years
was carried on between the Northern
Radical Abolitionists and the slavehol
ders of the Southern States. Everything
was done and said to promote and keeI
alive the controversy Ii finally cnlmi
mated in rebellion in the spring of 1861,
which, for atrocity, the sacrifice of lives
the expenditures of untold millions Of
money, the loss of property, followed by
pestilence, famine and desolation, has
no parallel in the history of nations.
This bloody and desolating contest was
brought to close in the spring OF 1863
when the rebels, unable longer to carry
on the war, surrendered with their arms
to our gallant generals, Grant, Sherman
and others. The rebel armies were per
mitted, under parole, to return to their
homes, and there await the order of the
| United States government, the officers
and soldiers of their armies pledging
themselves to become true and faithful
supporters of the Constitution and the
laws of the United States.
Such we're the terrible results of a
four years war, caused by the institu-
ton of slavery.
A few days after the surrender of Lee
and his army, President Lincoln was as
sassinated. This atrocious crime,
greatly mourned by the nation, placed
Vice President johnson in the presi-
DENTAL chair. His elevation was hailed
by reclamation throughout the land, and
this, too, because of his love and devo-
| ton to his country, and boldness while
Senator of the United States, in advo-
eating the preservation of the Union in
opposition to every other Southern Sena-
tor, who, with equal holiness. advocated
its dissolution Few men, North or
South, were subjected to greater sacri-
fees on account of patriotism than An
drew johnson and although plundered
of his property and driven from his home,
he returned again, and by his indomi-
table energy and perseverance, with
other patriots of his State, reclaimed
Tennessee from treason and rebellion.
This bold and daring friend of the
Union can be no traitor; yet, strange as
it may appear, he is denounced as u
traitor and threatened by the Radical
members of the Republican party with
impeachment 1t may be asked with
propriety, what has President johnson
done that he must be denounced as a
traitor and threatened with impeach-
ment? Is it tor anything more than the
exercise of the most noble and generous
efforts to conciliate and bring back into
the fold of the Union brave people, and
make the United States what they should
be--a united, great people.
1t ought not to be forgotten that the
cause, slavery, which engendered the re-
bellion, has been removed. Three or
fonr millions of slaves have been declared
free by an amendment of the Constitu-
ton. Those of the Southern States most
interested in the restoration of slavery,
which deprived them Of a large amount
OF what they called property, and which
they had considered all important TO
their interests and welfare, quietly sub
mitted to the amendment Those who
prepared the amendment omitted TO
guard against what would follow When
too late it was discovered that the free
ing of four millions Of slaves would in
l.
Congress some twenty-five representa-
tives. This was to be overcome, for fear
the abolition Radicals should lose their
control of the Government, by an act Of
Congress or another amendment of the
Constitution.
Failing in these efforts, all that bitter
ness of feeling has been revived which
existed for thirty years between Radicals
of the East and North and Southern
shareholders. Another civil war is fore
Swallowed unless the freedmen are placed
on an equality with their previous mas
tiers, and ifthis cannot be accomplished,
Radical partisans with raging thirst for
blood and plumber are again ready to in
wade the Southern States, and lay waste
the country already desolate. With the
sword in one hand and the torch in the
other, these revengeful partisans would
leave their country bowling wilderness
for the want of more victims to crafty
an unsparing cruelty
If they should succeed in infiicting on
the country another war, it would be
more terrible than the war from which
we have Just emerged. 1t could not be
confined to the Southern States, but ex-
tend itself over the length and breadth
of the United States, and only close with
the overthrow of the best government,
and destruction of the finest country,
on the face of globe.
IL snch be the fate Of our great Repub-
lican Empire, the cause must not be
sought for in our military camps, but in
the forum, thronged with inhammatory
orators and aspiring demagogues, with
souls dead to their countrys honor, and
spotted with corruption.
need not tell this great assemblage Of
officers, soldiers and sailors, most of
when have been engaged in many peril
GUS battles defending their country and
their countrys honor, that war is great
evil, and the greatest that can befall any
country OF people. 1t has ever been the
curse of nations and the cause Of all the
oppression imposed on the people Of
Europe If you would guard your once
free, happy and prosperous country from
oppression and oppressive taxes, beware
how you encourage war Heed not dem
agogues who, to crafty ambition or re-
yenge, will drench their country in
blood. The loss of liberty commences
with oppression and oppressive war
The United States, as conquerors, can
afford IN he inst and mapnanimous The