Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-04-10
THE PEACE PRoct,AMArroN.

THE PEACE PROCLAMATION
The President has issued his proclamation
announcing, officially, that the late war is
ended. and peacefully restored in all of the
Southern States save Texas. The cause for
not including Texas is not that the war is
stili going on there, but that the State Con
vention has not yet completed its work. AS
soon as this is done, we have no doubt that Il
special proclamation, of similar character,
win be made a...is
It this proclamation would bring real peace
would restore the Southern States to their
full rights in the Union, nearly the whole
people of the Union would rejoice Radical
politicians, in and out Of Congress, who regard
the negro as above the white man. would be
the only discOnteuts. The President is act
ing manfuily in behalf Of the Union and the
Constitution, but he is thwartcd in his noble
effort by the disorgaaizers and disunionists in
both Houses Of Congress. What tie effect
OF this proclamation is to be, we, of course,
cannot tell but it Ought to meet Il hearty ap-
proval from all good and true men. 1t onyht
to redound to the good Of the whole country.
and'to the happiness ana prosperity of the
people of all sections.
The late war was long and bloody one.
The people Of the South fought for their prin
cip'es with manly coura-e rarely exhibited;
and when they were finally overpowered. they
met the issue with true Ecroism never be-
fore exhibited. They now ask for peace :;
and restoration of their States to the Union.
and of themselves to their rights as citizens
Of the United States. The President knows
that they have renewed their allegiance in
perfect good faith, and is determined to Go
akin his power to protect them. If he sue
ceeds in giving US real peace he will receive
the warmest concentrations from one end of
our land to the other. II lie fails. the hcav
lest condemnutious will be visited, sooner or
later, upon those who will cause the failure.
We hope for the best and pray for the r1cht.
NADIEss RULES THE HOUR.
Down. and still down, nso the very suIph
of darkness and utter ruin, is the country
being plunged, b. the determined and uurc
lentins madness which governs the Euatical
majority who occupy the places Of what was
once known as the American Congress Re-
gardless IF constitutional guarantees regard
less OF Presidential vetocs, sustained by uuan
swerable arguments; regardless Of the per-
manent interests and present and future wel>
fare of the whole people of the States the
radicalism of the United States Senate has
forced upon the country the odius Civil Rights
Bal, which is designed to give equality to
the negro race, and to rake our Southern
country fit abode only for the Yankee radi>
cal and his negro equal. The result Of this
madness-this angry and uupatriOtic parti-
sanship-must soon become manifest The
neSro-tor whose benefit aud advantage this
bill is especially dcsiYncd-unfittcd for tn.
social and civil position to which he has been
thus suddenly elevated, and unpreparcd for
any such rapid transition from Il condition Of
slavery to one Of entire equality before the
law, must soon begin to feel his importance
and with the impudence o! Massachusetts,
Yankee and the Ignorance OF an untutorcd
negro, will 1T once commence series Of en-
croachments upon the rights Of the white
race-if any such rights continue to exist
and then will follow that strife and contention
shctt and robbery, murder and arson, which
will cal! for constant military intcrpo<tion
and the establishment of desPot;sm ia our
midst, to waste the energies and destroy the
Substance Of our people.
With what rapid strides arc we ho-;oning
to destruction! With what unhcsi,atng
steps are we treaaiag the abyss of ruin The
spirit of relentless oppression, of ma}icio:r re-
venge, is left to have its sway, and though
civil liberty is submerged, aud tie last hope
of freedom is cxtinsushcd, Summers Idol
must be worshipped, We turn from the sub
ject in sorrow and disgust, and invite the
readers attcntion to the proceedings in the
Senate on the passage Of this bill.