The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-11-03

| this measure called the Howard amend ment,
| is the pivot on which rests the beam of the
balance of power Ifthe people fail to sus-
tain Congress. the leaders of the rebellion will
again be possessed with the great lever power
of Office. The sad experience ofthe past,
should warn all of such a dire calamity. The
Amendment is not proscriptive, only SO far
as to reach the most intelligent and wicked
leaders. 1t only asks the simple thing, not
to elect few to Office for the present /; no
doubt that Congress will in due time re-
move the obstruction. Another clause pro-
poses to make white mans vote count Just
as mnch in one section as another. Who
can object to this Is it right and just that
the worst rebels in the South should vote
three times the political power to legislate
for the brave soldiers who have upheld and
sustained the flag of the Union No, my
friends, let the Union party of the mountains
of North Carolina stand as heretofore, I'M
finchingly for the Union, and for the repre-
sentatives in Congress. Let us stand up for
this measure proposed by the conservative
Republican party in Congress The terms,
considering the offense, are liberal, fair and
just, and if under all the circumstances after
a fair trial North Carolina should refuse to
accept, let not the consequences which will
doubtless follow, fall upon the heads OF the
Union party in this section of the State. In
my opinion, the offer now made Is the last
and most liberal that will ever be made
again.
If by the influence of Andrew johnson,
whether so intended or not, the people OF
this State are led to reject the Constitutional
amendment it is my solemn judgment, that
the determination of the American people
will be, when they find there is no other way
to deal with this people, they will take the
most radical doctrine that the most extreme
man in the North can think Of and adoptlt,
rather than surrender power into the hands
of those who led in the rebellion, and who
still persist in refusing such terms as are now
offered. Let me urge upon my Union friends,
everywhere, to come up to this measure OF
Congress and give it their support, and then
if it fails to be accepted by the General AS
semby of North Carolina, the consequences
of it rejection will not rest upon those who
have discharged their duty i'll its support
The South Will have to come to terms. The
same power that conquered, can and will en-
force their own teams.
Now my friends, in concluding this let
ter, let me urge the necessity of harmony in
your deliberations. Do nothing in spirit
of revenge. From the beginning of secess-
ion and rebellion, the Unionists have been
prosecuted and derided. Throughout the
blue mountains of Western North Carolina,
the Unionists have sustained their principles
through much tribulation, and under most
embarrassing circumstances. Let them not
falter and faint by the way at this late hour
Hoping, gentleman, that your meeting
will be attended with success and harmony,
and that much strength and good to the par
ty of which you are the true opponents
through your deliberations will be accom-
plished,
I am, very respectfully, your obedient SER
want. ALEX. II. JONES.
Hendersongille, N. c., Oct. 18th, 1866.