The Van Buren press., 1866-09-01


Congressional District, which was, on his
motion referred.
Nr. Rabcock, of Connecticut, also pre-
sentcd an address to the people Of New
England. prepared by the members of the
Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri del
cgations, who were born in New England
which was also referred to the Commit
tee on Resolutions.
On motion of Mr. Orr, Of South Csro.
lima, at quatter past two O'Clock the
Convention adjourned.
We give the closing portion of the address
of the Committee appointed by the National
Convention to prepare for the sanction of the
Convention, which unanimously adoptcl 1t.
Its great length prevents our giving il ea:irc:
NO people has ever yet eNisreG whose 10Y
atty and faith such long continued treatment
would not ALLEVIATE and impair. And the ten
millions of Americans Who live in the South
would he unworthy citizens OF free count "
degenerate sous OF a heroic ancestry, unfit
ever To become guardians of the rights and
liberties bcqueathcd to us by the fathers and
founders of this Republic ifthey could accept
with uncoWplaining siibmssiyeness. the hil-
miliations thus sought 10 be imposed upon
them. Resentment of injustice is always and
everywhere essential 10 freedom: and the
spirit which prompts the States and people,
lately in insurrcction, but nsurgcnt now no
longer. to protest against the imposition Of
unjust and degrading conditions makes them
all the more worthy 10 share in the government
Ofa free commonwealth, and gives still iirmer
assurance of the future power aud freedom of
the Republic. For whatsoever responsibility
the Southern people may have incurred in re-
sisting the authority of the National Govern
ment, and In taking up arms for It's over
throw, they may he held to answer rs indi-
viduals before the judicial tribunals Of the
land: and for that conduct rs organized soc-
eties and organized communities, they have,
already paid the most fearful penalties that
can fall ON offending States In the losses,
the sufierings and humliations of unsucccss-
ful war. But whatever may be the guilt or
punishment of the conscious authors Of the
insurrection, candor and common justice de-
mand the concession that the great mass Of
those who became involved In its responsible
ty acted upon what they believed to be their
duty, In defence of what they had been taught
to believe their rights, or under a compulsion
physical and moral Nor can 1t be aIniss to
remember that. terrible AS have been the be-
reaNements and the losses of this war. they
and upon neither party; that they have fallen
indeed. with far greater weight upon those
with whom the war began; that In the death
Of relatives and friends the dispersion Of fam
lilies, the disruption of social ~ stems, and So
cial ties, the overthrow OF governments, of
law and Of order, the destruction OF property
and Of forms and modes and means Of indus
try, the loss Of political, commercial and NOR
al influence, IN every shape and form which
Ia
people which engaged In the war with the
United States, have suffered tenfold more than
those who remained in allegiance to its Con-
stitution and laws.
These considerations may not, as they GER
tainly do not, justify the action of the people
of the insurgent. States; but no just or gencr.
ous mind will refuse to them very consideri-
bic weight in determining the line of conduct
which the government Of the United States
should pursue towards them.
They accept. If not with alacrity, certainly
without sullen resentment, the defeat and
overthrow they have sustained. They ac-
knowledge and acquiesce in the results. to
themselves and to the country. which that de-
feat involves. They no longer claim for any
State the right to seccde from the Union, they
no longer assert for any State an allegiance
paramount to that which l. due to the Gener-
al Government. They have accepted the de-
struction OF slavery, abolished 1t by their
State constitutions. and concurred with the
States and people Of the whole Union. In pro-
hibiting It's existence forever upon the soil or
within the Jurisdiction OF the United States
They indicate and eyince their purpose just ~
fast AS may be possible and safe to adapt their
domestic laws to the changed condition OIL
their society. and to secure, by the law. and its
tribunals equal and impartial justice to all
its inhabitants. They admit the invalidity of
all acts OF resistance to the national authors
ty, and of all debts incurred in attempting its
overthrow. They avow their willingness to
share the burdens, and discharge all the duties
and obligations which rest upon them, In COM
mon with other States, and other sections Of
the Union; and they renew. through their
representatives IN this Convention. by all
their public conduct In every way and by the
most solemn acts by which States and socic-
ties can pledge their faith, their engagement
to bear true faith and allegiance, through all
time to come, to the Constitution Of the Unit
ed States. and to all laws that may be made In
pursuance thereof.
Fellow-countrymen We call upon you in
full reliance upon your Intelligence and your
patriotism, to accept, with generousus and un-
grudging confidence this full surrender on the
part Of those lately In arms against your au-
thority, aud to share with them the honor and
renown that await those who bring back
peace and concord TO iarrlng States The war
just closed. with all its sorrows and disasters, |
has opened new career of glory tn the nation |
ithas saved. 1t has swept away the HOSTILE
ties Of sentiment and interest, which were a
standing menace to its peace. 1t has destroy
ed the Institution OF slavery always a cause
of sectional agitation and strife. and has open
cd for our country the way to unity Of inter
est, of principle and of action through all
time to come,
1t has developed in both sections q military
capacity-an aptitude for achievements ofwar
both by sea and land. before unknown. even
by ourselves and destined to exercise hcreaf-
ter, under united councils, an Important infu-
ence upon the character and destiny Of the
continent and the world. And while It has
thus revealed, disciplined and cOmpacted our
power, 1t has proved to Us beyond controver-
~ or doubt, by the course pursued towards
both contending sections by foreign powers,
that we must be the guardians Of our 0wnin-,
dependence, and that the principles Of rcpub-
lican freedom we represent can find among
the nations Of the earth no friends or defend
ers but ourselves. f..,.,.s..,
We cali upon you. therefore, by every con-