The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-08-25
Germs of AdrrrtisinO.

as individuals, before the judicial tribu-
nals of tho land, and for that conduct,
as societies and organized communities,
they have already paid the most fearful
penalties that can fall on offending
States in the losses, the sufferings, and
humiliation Of unsuccessful war. But
whatever may he the guilt or the pun
ishment of the conscious authors of the
insurrection, candor and common JUS
tice demand the concession that The
great mass of those who became in
volvcd in its responsibility acted upon
what they believed TO be their duty,
in defense of what they had been taught
to believe their rights, or under q COM
pulsion, physical and moral, which they
were powcrless to resist. Nor can it be
amiss to remember that, terrible as have
been the bereavements and the losses Of
this war, they have fallen exclusively
upon neither section 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 families the disruption of social sys-
tens and social ties; the overthrow of
governments; of law and order; tho
destruction of property and of forms
and modes and means of industry;
the loss of political, commercial, and
moral influence, in every shape and
| form which great calamitics can as
sumo, the States and people which
engaged in the war against the Gov
ernment of the United States have
suffered tenfOld more than those who
remained in allegiance to its Consti4
tuition and laws.
These considerations may not, as they
certainly do not, justify the action of
the people Of the insurgcnt States; but
no just or generous mind will refuse TO
them very considerable weight in de-
termining the line of conduct which
the Government of the United States
should pursue toward them.
They accept, if not with aacrity, cer-
tainly without sullcn resentment, the
defeat and overthrow they have sustain
ed. They acknowledge and acquiescG
in the results, to themselves and the
| country, which that defeat involves.
They no longer claim for any State the
= right to secede from the Union; they no
, longer assert for any State an allegiance
: paramount to that which is due to the
q General Government. They have ac-
q ceptcd the destruction of slavery, abol-
. i-hcd it by their State constitutions,
A and concurrcd with the States and peo-
= pie of the whole Union in prohibiting
= its existence forever upon the soil or
n within the jurisdiction of the United
,. States. They indicate and evince their
l. purpose Just 30 fast as may be possible
IS and safe to adapt their domestic laws to
Y the changed condition of their society,
d and to secure by law and its tribu-
Is mails equal and impartial justice to all
Y classes of their inhabitants. They adj
~ NIT the invalidity of all acts of resist
Ic ance to the national authority, and of
l. all debts incurred in attempting its
d overthrow. They avow their willing
f. ness to share the burdens and discharge
l. all the duties and obligations which rest
II upon them, in common with other
o States and other sections Of the Union !;
d and they renew, through their represen-
i tativcs in this Convention, by all their
@ public conduct, in every way and by
i the most solemn acts by which States
lc and societies can pledge their faith,
N their engagement to bear true faith and
y allegiance, through all time to come, to
10 the Constitution of the United States,
ID and to all laws that may be made in
q pursuance thereof.
D. Fellow countrymcn: We call upon
T. you, in full reliance upon your intel
re ligcncc and your patriotism, to ac-
10 ccpt, with generous and ungrudging
d confidence, this full surrender on the
lc part of those lately in arms against
to your authority, and to share with them
n the honor and rcnOWn that await those
lc who bring back peace and concord to
~ iarring States. The war just closed,
III with all its SORROWS and disasters h;l,
" opened II new career of glory to the na
m ton it has saved. 1t has swept away
)y the hoStilticS of sentiment and of inter
nj est which were a standing menace tC
ia its peace. 1t has destroyed the insttu
rc- tion of slavery, always cause of sec
nd tional agitation and strife, and has open
Is, ed for our country the way to unity ot
Vi, interest, of principle, and of action
.cs through all time to come. Ii has devcl
lg- Opod in both sections military capacit!
of an aptitude for achievements Of war
cy both by sea and land-hcforc unknown
al even to ourselves, and destined to eXcr
else hereafter, under united counsels, al
1sc important influence upon the characte
NC and destiny of the continent and tn
M world. And while it has thus revealed
ri disciplined, and compacted our power
he it has proved to IL, beyond controVer,!
ry, or doubt, by the course pursued toWar,
rv. both COntcnding sections by foreign
the powers, that we must be the guardian
H., of our own independence, and that tn
Re- principles Of republican freedom W
M represent can find among the nations o
lu- the earth no friends or defenders bu
Scd ourselves.
D is We call upon you, therefore, by over
,ce- consideration of your own dignity am
the safety, and in the name of libert
ON, throughout the world, to complete tn
est work of restoration and peace Whic
de- the President Of the United States ha
al -, ,,-nIl L,,r,sn and (which th, Iolir