The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1866-08-29

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form III all their public conluct to ,hc
requirements OF the Consultation apl
laws VIC have no right q cAyCt irosl
them conformity IL thcir -yAtim"nt@
and opinions to our oWW.
8. That we have no liSht 20 dis.
trust the purpose or thc ability OF the
people Of the Union to protect ana de-
fcnd, under all contingencies aud by
whatever means may be required, is
honor and lis welfare.
These would, in our Judgment, be
full and conclusive answers to the plea
thus advanced for the exclusion of
these States from thc Union, But we
say further, that this plea rests upon a
complete misopp or All un-
just pcrvcrsion of existing facts.
FEELING IN TuE soUrll
| We do not hesitate TO affirm That there is
| 40 section of the country where the ConSti-
| tuition and laws Of the Uuitcl States find II
more prompt and entire obedience ihan in
| those States and among those people who
| were lately in arms against them; on where
there is less purpose or danger of amy flu
| turc attempt to overthrow their authority.
1t would sccin 10 bc both natural and incvi- :
! table that in States and sections so recently
| swept 10y tho whjrlwind Of war, whore all
| the ordinary modes and methods OF organi-
| zcl Industry have been broken up, and the
| bonds and influences that guarantee social
| order have been dC$;royed--whcrc thou
| sands and tens Of thousands Of turbulent
spirits have been suddenly looscd from ihc
discipline of war, and thrown without re-
| sources or restraint upon Il d;S0r.;an2cd and
| chaotic society, and where the keen sense
| CT defeat js added 10 the overthrow Of Gmhi
| ton and hopes, scenes Of violence should
| defy for n time thc imperfect discipline OF
| law, and excite anew ,hc fears and Gorcbo-
| dings Of the patriotic Gnd we'll disposed. II
| is unQuaStionably trUo that local distur-
Dances Of this kind accompanied by more
or less violence, do still occur. But they
| arc confined entirely 10 The cities and large
! towns Of The Southern States, where differ
| cnt races and interests are brought most
closely iii contact, and where passions and
rcscntmcnts arc always most easily fed and
! famed into outbreak aud even there, they
| are quite rs much The fruit &C untimGly and
hurliul political agitation, rs Of any hoStili-
| ~ on the part of the people TO the &ntNori-
| y Of the National Government.
But The concurrent testimony of those
best acquainted with The condition Of socic-
ty and the state Of public sentiment in tho
South-including that Of its representatives
In this convention -cstabli5hcs the fact that
the great mass OF tho Southern people ao-
ccpt. with as full and sincere submission us
do the people of the other States, tho re.
established supremacy Of tho national au-
thority, and arc prepared, III the m ost loyal
spirit, and with zeal Quicloncl alike w
their interest and their pride, 10 cooperate
with other States aud sections in whatever
may be necessary 10 deiond tho Nights,
maintain tho honor amlpromotc The welfare
OF our common country. History affords
no instance where people, SO powerful in
numbcrs, i'll resources and in public spirit,
after q war SO long in its duration, so de-
strUctivc in its progress, and so adverse in
its issue, have accepted defeat and lis con
sequences with so much of good faith rs
has marked the conduct Of the pcopl, latc-
~ i'll insurrcction against the United
States. Beyond all question this has been
lar2cly due TO the wise generosity with
which thcir enforced surrender was accept
cl b. the President Of the United States
aud the generals in Immediate command OF
their armies, aad 10 the liberal measures
which were aitcrward taken 10 restore or
der, tranquility and law TO the States wheco
al had for the time been oycrtmown. No
steps could have been better calculated 10
command the respect, win the contidei.cC,
revive the patriotism aud secure the rcrna-
ncnt and aifectonale allegiance OF the pco-
plc Of the South TO the Constitution aud
laws OF the Union, than those which have
been so firmly taken and so sieadfIStly
pursued by the President OF thc United
States. And ifthat confidence and loyalty
have been since impaired; if the people Of
The South are to-day less cordial III their
allegiance than they We're immediately
upon the close of the war. we believe il is
duo 10 the changed tone Of The legislative
department Of the General Government to.
ward them to the action By which Congress
has cndcayorcd TO supplant and defeat tho
Presidents wise and bcncfictnt policy of
restoration; TO their exclusion from all
participation in our common government;
to the withdrawal from them of rights con
ferrcd and guaranteed by tho Constitution,
and to the evident purpose of Congress, in
the exercise Of q usurped and nnlawlul au-
thorlty, TO reduce them from Tho rank Of
free and equal members Of q republic of
States, with tights and digntics unimpair-
cd, to tho condition of conquered provinces
and n conquered people, in all things sub
ordinate and subject TO tho will Of their con-
1ucrors, free only TO obey laws III making
which they arc not allowed 10 share.
No people has ever yet existed whose
loyalty and faith such Treatment long con-
tinucd would not alionate and impair. And
the ten millions of Americans who live in
he South would bc unworthy citizens Of q
free country, degenerate sons of any heroic
ancestry, unht ever TO become guardians of
the rights and liberties bcqu"atl,cd 10 us by
tho fathers and founders of this Republic,
if they could accept with uncomplaining
submissivencss, the humiliationa thus sought
TO be imposed upon lhcm. Resentment Of
injustice is always and everywhere csscn-
tial TO freedom and the spirit which prompts
Tho States and people lately in insurccotion,
but insurgents now no lonGcr, 10 protest
against tho imposition of unjust and dc.
grading conditions, makes them all ille more
worthy TO share IN The government of q
free commonwealth, and gives still firmcr
| assurance of the future power and freedom
| of The Republic. For whatever RESPONSE
| biliy tho Southern people may have incur
| red in resisting tho authority Of tho Nations
nl Government and in taking uparnls for it.
overthrow, they may be hold 10 answer, as
| individuals, bcfoec tho judicial tribunals of
tho land, and FOR hat conduct, as societies
and organized communities, they have al-
| ready paid The most fearful penalties that
can fall on offending States in tho losses,
\ The sndcriugs aud humiliatious Of Unsuc-
ccssful war. But whatever may be tho
guilt or the punishment Of Tho consci Gus au
thors Of the ipsurrection, caudor and com
mon justice demand tho concession that tho
i