The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1866-09-27

bribe them to keep their blacks in
serfdom. An aristocracy rarely SUR
renders its privileges, no matter how
oppressive, from abstract devotion to
justice and right. Itmust have cogent,
palpable reasons for doing.
We say, therefore, to South Carolina,
off you persistently restrict all power
to your 100000 whites, we must i'm
sist that these no longer balance, in
Congress and the choice of President,
10000 Northern white freedmen, but
only 100000. If you keep your blacks
evermore in serfdom, it must not be
because we tempted you 80 to do, and
reward you fors doing"
Fellow-citizens of every State, but
especially of those soon to hold cleo
tions! we entreat your earnest, con-
slant heed TO the grave questions now
at issue. If those who so wantonly
plunged the Union into civil war shall
be allowed by you to dictate the terms
Of reconstruction, you will have heed
lessly sown the bitter seeds of future
rebellions and bloody strife. Already,
you are threatened with a recognition
by the President of a sham Congress
made up of the factions which recently
coalesced at Philadelphia on platform
of Johnsonism-a Congress constituted
by multiplying and overriding plain
law of the land-a Congress wholly
inspired from the White House, and
appealing to the sword alone for sup
port. So glaring an attempt at usur-
4
than absurd. Happily, the people, by
electing an overwhelming majority of
thoroughly loyal representatives, are
rendering its initiation impossible.
We cannot close without a most de-
served tribute to the general fidelity
wherewith, in view of the Presidents
detection, the great body of the peo-
pie, and even of the Federal office
holders, stand fast by their convictions
and their principles. The boundless
patronage of the Executive, though
most unscrupulously welded against
those to whose votes he owes it, has
corrupted very few, either of those
who shared or of those who wOuld
gladly share in its enjoyment. Not
one of the twenty-five States which
voted to re-elect Abraham Lincoln has
given in its adhesion to the Presidents
policy; while New Jersey-the only
free State that voted against him-has
added herself to their number.
Our great war has taught impress
sively the peril of injustice; and the
lesson has sunk deep into millions of
hearts. The American people, chast-
ened by suffering, are wiser and nobler
than they were, with a quicker and
more open ear for every generous sug-
gestion. The fearful lessons of Mem
phis and New Orleans have not been
lost on them, as is proved by the re-
suit of the recent elections in Vermont
and Maine. We cherish no shadow
of doubt that Pennsylvania, Ohio, In
diana and Iowa first, then New York,
New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, Wis
consin, Kansas and Minnesota, will do
likewise, and that true restoration, q
genuine, abiding peace, will thus be
secured to our country-a peace that
will endure, because based on the
everlasting foundations of Humanity,
Justice and Freedom.
Yours,
MARCUS L.WARD, New Jersey,
Chairman:
HORACE GREELEY, New York.
S. A. PURVIANCE, Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM CLAFLIN, Mass.
N. b. SMITHERS, Delaware.
N. w. HOFFMAN, Maryland.
H. II. KWEATHER, Conn,
B. r. COWEN, Ohio.
JOHN B. CLARKE, New IIamp.
SAMUEL F. HUSSEY, Maine.
ABRAHAM b. GARDNER, VT.
j. S. FOWLER, Tennessee.
BURTON G. COOK, Illinois.
MARSH GIDDINGS, Michigan.
d. p. STUBBS, Iowa.
A. w. CAMPBELL, West Va.
S. JUDD, Wisconsin.
ID. r. GOODLOE, North Car.
S. II. BOYD, Missouri.
w. j. CORNING, Virginia.
THOS. SIMPSON, Minnesota.
G. l.. ROBINSON, Florida.
NEWTON EDMUNDS, Dakota.
JOHN ID. DEGREES, Indiana, Sec'y.