The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-10-02

!, stion In civil life, during this struggle Of
-four years could prove false to his prin-
Aciple. Tt was severe trial to us to be
fieve that it was possible that pledges
given. principles stated, doctrines ayow.
ed, adhered to for a long time, pro
claimed to be necessary as the basis d
safety and security, could then be aban-
!doned, and by any one, more especially
by one who, from his position, was nat
;hrally the great leader of the nation.
1t was not pleasant to find ourselves
brought face to face with this fact but
low, seeing that the fact is SO, seeing
hat we are pledged to recognize the
ruth, that it has extended into
| he mind of some to exalt the EXecu-
i've Department of the Government into
despotic power, and to abase the repre-
sentative portion of our Government
into the mere tools of despotism !; learn
ng that this is the case we now, as
heretofore know our duty and ssknowing
dare maintain it, The citizen soldiery
of the United States which organized
our great army and which showed it's
great craftsmanship in providing the
means for the support, and adhering
firmly to its determination that, come
what would, the Union must and would
be preserved. Isay the citizen soldiery
of this country recognize the Congress
of the United States as the representa-
tive Government of the country. APP
plause.1 1 think 1 only interpret the
sentiment of all my comrades when /
say we believe another thing to be true,
and that is that this Government is the
Government in fact of the whole coun-
IL 20
the people in Congress assembled now
as an organized body, recognized by
us and the whole world as the Congress
of the people, and the only persons
who may rightfully, by the powers
given them by the people, determine the
mode and manner in which their success
ors shall take their seats in other words,
that it is only by the legislative action of
the law-making power and obedience
to the laws as they exist at present that
there can be any provision made with
regard to the organization of a succeed
ing Congress. We say that if every
one within the Union-those high in au-
thority as well as the humblest citizen
will thus submit to themselves to the
law of the land, there need be no trouble
An appealto the citizens ofthe countryis
always open to those who are dissatis-
fed with the existing condition of things.
Ifthey can succeed in changing the opin-
ions of the people SO that a representa-
ton in Congress different from that
which we have heretofore sent, be sent
there under existing tests, we should of
course bow to the will of the people.
But we know, and all traitors know,
that the will of the people has been ex
pressed in the complexion and charac-
ter of the existing Congress, and that
freely spoken will only be more loud
and more perfectly distinct on this SUBJ
ject. Great applause. But will not
detain you to discuss further these gen.
eral questions. We have expressed
our faith that the proposition which has
been made by Congress for the settle
not only wise policy, but one so truly
that the whole world |
stood in wonder that people could I'M
der such circumstances be so magnani- |
nous to those they have conquered.
And when, therefore, we say we are
ready to stand by that decision of Con-
gress, we only say, as soldiers, that we
follow the same flag and the same prin-
;ipals which we have followed through |
The war. Now, my comrades, without
you further, must beg your
assistance in the performance of the du-
lies which you have imposed upon me.
The army is not good place to learn
tactics, whatever else we
nay learn, and, therefore, it becomes
necessary for me to appeal to you that
you will have such regard formy inexpe-
fence and shortcomings as that the Con-
7ention may run itself and that 1 may be
lere in some sort as the fgure-head in
representing this body. Applause