The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-27
MARTlNSBtRG WEST VIRGINIA. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER g. 1866

his property and driven from his home.
he returned again and by his indomita.
bic energy and perseverance, with 9TH
erpatriots Of hifState reclaimed Tenne-
ssee FROM tease and rebellion. This
bold and darin Friend of the Union can
be no trait6fs SIT strange as it may APP
pear, he is denounced as traitor and
threatened by the radical members of
the Republican party with impeachment
1t ma be asked with propriety, what
has President johnson done that he
should be denounced as traitor and
threatened with impeachment? Is it for
anything more than the exercise of the
most noble and generous efforts to con-
eiliate and bring back into the folds of
the Union brave people, andma the
United States what they ought to be
a united great people. It ought not to
be forgotten that the cause Slavery
which engendered the rebellion has been
removed. Three or four millions of
slaves have been declared free, by an
amendment of the Constitution. Those
of the Southern States most interested
in the abolition of slavery, which de-
prived them of a large amount Of what
they called property, and which they
had considered all important to their
interests and welfare, quietly submitted
to the amendment. Those who prepar-
ed the amendment omitted to guard
against whatwoul follow. When too
late, it was discovered that the freeing
of four millions of slaves would increase
the Southern Representatives in Con-
gress from twenty-five Representatives
to thirty Representatives. This was to
be overcome, lest the Abolition Radi-
Gals should lose their control of the gov
eminent, by an act of Congress or an
other amendment of the Constitution.
Failing in these efforts, all the bitterness
of feeling has been revived which exis-
ted for thirty years between the radicals
of the North and Southern slave holders.
Another civil war is foreshadowed un-
less freedmen are placed on an equality
with their former masters. If this can
not be accomplished, radical partiZans,
with raging thirst for blood and plum
der, are again ready to invade the South
ern States and lay waste the country
not already desolated, with the sword
in one hand and torch in the other.
These revengeful partisans would leave
their country bowling wilderness for
the want Of more victims to crafty an
nnspairing cruelty. If they should sue
coed in inflicting on the country another
war, it would be more terrible than the
war from which we have just emerged.
1t would not be confined to the South
ern States, but extend itself the length
and breadth of the United States, and
only close with the overthrow of the
best government devised and the de.
struction of the finest country on the
face of the GLOBE If such should be the
fate of our great Republican empire, the
cause must not be sought for in our mil
itary camps, but in the forum thronged
with infiamatory orators and aspiring
demagogues with souls dead to their
c0untry's honor and spotted with cor
ruption. I need not tell this vast assem-
blage of officers, soldiers and sailors,
most of whom have been engaged in
many perilous battles defending their
country and their country's honor,
that war is a great evil, and the great
est that can befall any country or peo-
pie. 1t has ever been the curse of ma
lions, and the cause fall oppression inn
posed on the people of Europe. Ii you
would guard your once free, happy and
prosperous country from oppression ana
oppressive taxes, beware how you en-
courage war and hot headed dema-
gogues, who, to crafty ambition or re-
Venge, would drench their country in
DlOOu. lIOSS vi llDCl " NOAAAA1CiiNND "As-A
oppression, and oppression follows war.
The United States as conquerors can af-
ford to be just and magnanimous. The
brave are always mercifuland generous.
AS President johnson sid, we have
had war enough. Let there be peace.
Recollect that the recent rebellion en-
gendered by radical abolitionists and
Slave holders, leaves the Northern States
with more than hundred thousand
pc-e'oners. besides thousands and tens
of thousands Of widows end orphans to
weed over the graves Of the protectors
and defenders Of the Union, yet there
arr those among us who are not s''f-
ticipntlv satisfied With blood and plum
der. and cry for more war.
IN conclusion, would call upon you,
officers. soldiers and sailors, to stand by
the nion, which in !. war of four years,
when blood flowed in torrents, by your
rallantry, indomitable perseverance ana
courage. was saved from ruin and &c
,fwvSien. sntrea' YOU to spare no Ct
forts o pres rvethis republic iu'act-the
last hope OF the oppressed the "orlu.
With confident expectation that you
will! as heretofore, prove yourselves the
soyiors OF yutH country, l again CRATE