The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-04-11
Our National Obligations.
Prom lhs Dclrolt DAILY POST

> I theoretical questions Tor the purpose OF .l
! uninG the exact status Of the rebel States
the nlOn. AMI the exact nature OF the
present constitutional relations to the Ger
eral Government, II seemed % Us that nor
stress was laid upon points at political me-
. aphysics than was Necessary for a lust ar
. preclajlon OF the duties which under th
existing state OF things Congress aud th
bNecuilve nave % perform In The cours
0i the war. the Government of the Unite
states took upon IL certain obligations Ia
mere statement OF winch will be suffcieu
10 convince every man oI honor IN the con-
Try that. until they are discharged TO the let
ter the political status Of the rebel states
and all questions connected with il. ar
things OF secondary Importance
Toe Government wanted money. and OBJ
tanned that money on the distinct and sol
emn promise that intereA and princlpa
should be regularly paid when due Thi.
constitutes the obligation OF the Unite
states TO the national creditors.
Inc Government wanted support IA the
reOei states, aad called upon the loyalist.
iNinS there Tor aid and cooperation. 0a ID,
distinct understanding that the victory d,
the mon arms should make them the con
/ trolling element in those States. insteal of
]
stroy the Union. This constitutes the ob-
legation of the Republic TO the true and con
slstent nIOnIsts Of the South
The Government wanted soldiers and
among other things, called upon the color
ed population 0iIhe North and south Ia
step into the RANKS OF the Union armies. I'M
der the distinct and solemn promise that
their race should be forever and truly free
THIS constitutes the obligation Of the Re
pubic TO the cOlOred people OF the coun-
Try.
Whatever speculatiOns may be INDUCED
IN as 10 the rights acquired by the rebel
states ny their submission tOOur victorious
arms, one thing stands above all dispute
The Obligations of the Republic 10 those
VINO IN response 10 the call of the Govern
ment actually helped Us with their money.
or thelr arms, IN saving the life OF the ma
tlon, are absolutely binding. They are ob
legations Tor value received, aud for services
rendered. The Government cannot think
oi repudlatin9 them; nay, il cannot even
think oi cavllllng about them, without dis
hOnorng itself They are equivalent TO
constitutional Obligations. II the Constitu-
liOh uli not furnish the specific power.
necessary for their fullillment which. how
ever, we assert il dOes-we would still be
bound 10 discharge them bv every consider
alton OF honor and conscience. Theirviola-
ton would be the blackest Injustice. the
wlckedist periidy, the most shameful self
degradation. II would bring with il the
deepest national disgrace and infamy
We are, therefore, in conscience and in
honor bound, when laying down a basis of
settlement for our national difficulties. to
keep these obligations always in view, As
the things 10 be considered before all 9th
ers.
The absolute necessity OF discharging
them implies, /. The duty to take all the
measures necessary 10 secure their fulfil
ment; and ?. The duty 10 abstain from all
such measures as might render ability 10
fulfill them doubtful. To neglect the sec
ond OF these duties would be Just as dish0n-
ofaDle and disastrous in effect. as 10 dis
regard or repudiate the first.
The issue at present before the country il
the immediate restoration Of the rebel
states, such as they are. This restoration
involves Two things: first, that the class OF
people now controlling Southern society be
restored 10 the untrammeled direction OF
Ihelr nome concerns, thus permitting them
To govern the loyalists aud freedmen Of the
9outh IS they please; and, second, hatthey
Government, by which they take part m
the control OF our national affairs aud help
in governing the country.
The question arises at once. whether this f.
restoration, under the present circumstan-
ces, will not render our ability to DISCHARGE
our solemn national obligations doubtful.
II - question OF fact, and not a question /
Oi theory.
III was the ObvlOns duty OF the Govern /
nent to endeavOr to obtain light on this I
question OF fact before taking final action 10 +
tmatter ofsuch OvershadOwing Importance.
Al hrst, even the President seemed 10 AZ
luOwledse that duty. lie sent out persons
Sho then enjoyed his confidence. 10 nyos-
lgate the state Ofthngs in the south. But
without waiting for their reports. he settled
Town upon llxed policy, and then seemed
determined 10 reject all information which
lld not coincide with his precOncelrel mo-
ions anu peculiar schemes. Congress con- .
'ened, and the President asked that his
lOhcy he accepted and adhered TO. But
mindful OF his duties, refused t0
IcI OlndiOlded and resolved before Ven
urln9 upon any IrretraceablC stcps. 10 OBJ
ain lnat llght upon the question 0i fact
Vhlcn the President seemed not 20 rare
.bOut. For this purpose. Congress appoint
a committee, and instructed lt 10 collect
Nldence bearing upon the subject The
ommltte summoned witnesses. among
'hOm were the most prominent Generals
u our army, and the NEST prominent citi-
ems oil the SOuth-rebels rs well as lOval
len- Their testimony Is before the peo-
lie; and what is it
An overwhelming majority OF the wit
esses agree upon three points.
FIRST, that the people OF the rebel States
,ould vastly prefer the payment Of the reb-
debt TO the payment OF the national debt,
nd are IN fact, 50 intensely hostile 10 the
alter as 10 render it probable that they will
luster all their power and influence against
as soon a they shall have anv.
second that the old, consistent lOyalists
the south, Instead OF having the control
lhlngs IN their States. are almost every
here socially and politically distracted and
roscnOed, and in some places even in
anger OF their lives.
Ihlrd that the freedmen are in imminent
anger OF being reduced 10 a new system OF
ompulsory labor, and are suffering under
legislation and still more oppres-
we practices
such Is the evidence collected in a man
er perfectly lair. and from all available ,
ources OF Information. OF It's credibility
lere can be no doubt
Inc question occurs. will the restoration ,
the controlling element in the rebel .
-ates TO power render our ability 10 dis ,
large our national obligations doubtful.
VIII the admission OF the Senators and ,
representatives from the rebel States. such
they are. prove dangerous to our nation
debt That they viii try 10 break down .
le national debt, the testimony given be- z
re the Reconstruction Committee proves [
early. What they will have the power TO 7
VIII depend upon their forming a COM :
nation With the Northern COpperheads. 5
hch combination viii he rendered more ?
)|erill by tie Increase Of representation
e rebel states VIII derive from the negroes q
)w nomnally free II is evident that a r
llted and strengthened south, reinforced r
tue d.siOyai elements Of the North. will r
: strong enough, . u0t - bring about tue f,
rect reputation ~ our iehf. ar least 80 /,
hamper ani impede all measure d.. g..
ken iOT the payment Oi interest ami prn- :
pal as TO impair most seriously the values
The hands OF the national creditors.
VIII the restoration Of the people OF the \