Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-08-21

tenoeo most carefully TO provide. We de-
mand strict and steadfasl adherence toiits
provisions; In this and=this alone, can We
ind abasisof permanent union and peace.
Fourth But 1t is alleged, In justification
OF the usurpation whichW condemn. that the
condition OF the Southern States and peonle Is
not such as renders safe their re-admissionl To
share in the government of the country !;
that they are sthl disoyal in sentiment and
purpose, and that neither the honor, the
credit, nor the interest of the nation would
be safe they were re admitted TO a share in
its councils. We might reply to this: First,
That We have no rightfor such reasons to de-
NY any portion of the States or people rights
expressly conferred upon them by the consti-
tuition of the United States.
Second. That so long as their acts are those
of loyalty; So long. as they conform, In all
their public conduct to the requirements of
the constitution aud laws, We have no right
to exact from them conformity In their senti-
ments and opinions to ourewn.
Third. That we have no right TO distrust
the purpose or the ability of the people OF the
Union to protect and defend, under all con-
tlngencles and by whatever means may be
required, its honor and its welfare
These would, in our Judgment, be full and
conclusive answers to the plea thus advanced
Union. But, We say further, that this plea
rests upon a complete Misrepresentation or an
unjust peryersiou of existing facts. We do
not hesitate to affirm that there is no section
OF the country where the constitution aud
laws lind more prompt and entire obedience
than IN those States and among thosepeople
who We're lately in arms against them, or
where there is less purpose or danger of any
future attempt to overthrow their authority.
1t would seem to be both natural and inevi-
table that in States aud sections so recently.
swept by the whirlwind of war, where all the
ordinary modes and methods of Organized
industry have been broken up, and the bonds
aud influences that guarantee social order
have been destroyed, where thousands and
tens OF thousands of turbulent spirits have
been suddenly loosed from the discipline of
war and thrown, without resources or restraint
upon disorgauized and chaotic society, and
where the keen sense of defeat is added to the
overthrow of ambition aud hope, scenes of
violence should defer, for time, the imposi-
hon OF law, and excite anew The forebodings
OF the patriotic and well disposed 1t is
unquestionably true that local Disturbances of
this kind, accompanied by more or less of
violence, do sill occur. but they are confined
entlreIy to the cities and larger towns of the
Southern States, where different races and
Interests are brought most closely in contact,
and where passions and reSeuiments are most
easily fed and famed into outbreak. And
even these are quEe much che fruit of
uhtlmely and hurtiul political agitation as of
any hostility on The. pare of tbe people to the
authority of che National Government.
History affords no instance where u people
so powerful in numbers, in resources and in
public spirit, after war so long in its dura-
ton, so destructive in its progress and so adj
verse In its issue, have accepted defeat and
its consequences with SO much OF good faith
as has marked the conduct of the people late
~ IN instruction against the United States
Beyond all question, this has been largely
due to the wise generosity with which their
enforced surrender was accepted by the Pre-
sldent OF the United States aud the Generals
in immediate command of their armies. and
to the liberal measures which were afterwards
taken to restore order, tranquility and law to
the States, where all had for the time been
overthrow. No steps could have been bet
ter calculated to command respect, win the
confidence, revive the patriotism, and secure
the permanent and atfectionate allegiance of
the people of the South to the Constitution
and laws Of the Union than those which have
been SO firmly taken and so steadfastly pur-
sued. by the President Of:the United States.
And if that confidence and LOYALTY have
been since impaired-if the people of the
South are to- day less cordial IN their alleSi-
ance than they were Immediately upon the
close of the war-we believe it is due to the
changed tone of the Legislative department of
the general government towards them to
the action by which Congress has endeavOred
to supplant and defeat the Presidents wise
and benefcent policy ofrestoration; to their
exclusion from all participation in our com
mon government; to the withdrawal from
them of rights conferred aud guaranteed by
the Constitution, and to the evident purpose
of Congress, in the exei else of usurped and
unlawful authority, to reduce them from the
rank of free aud equal members of repub-
lie of States, with rights and dignities unim>
paired, to the condition of conquered pro-
vinces and a conquered people. In all things
subordinate and subject to the will of their
c"nquerOrs-tree only to obey laws, in max
ing which they are not allowed to share.
No people has ever yet existed whose 10y
atty aud faith such treatment, long continued,
would not ALLEVIATE and impair, and the ten
million OF Americans who live in the South
would be unworthy citizens of a free country,
degenerate sons of an heroic ancestry, unfit
ever to become guardians of the rights and
liberties bequeathcd to US by the fathers and
founders of this republic, if they could accept
with accomplishing submission. the humili>
ations thus sought to be imposed upon
them. Resentment of injustice Is always and
everywhere essential TO freedom; and the
spirit which prompts the States. and people
lately in. insurrection, but insurgent now no
longer, to protest against the impositious o.
unjust. and degrading conditions, snakes them
all the more worthy to share in the govern
ment of a free commonwealth, and gives still
frmer assurance of the future power and
freedom of the republic.
For whatever responsibility the Southern
people may have incurred in resisting the au,
thority of the national government, aud IN