St. Mary's gazette., 1866-08-30

different races ;.frt Int1Tt>i> ar Dt'd-'i
most closely in contact. and where passions
and rescntnents are always most easily fed
and famed into outbreak. And even these
sre unite a. much the fruit OF untIruely an
hurtfll agitation ss of any hostility on tht
part Of the people to the authority OF ths
nation government.
But the concurrent testimony Of those
hest acquainted with the conditions OF soe.c-
tv and the state of public sentiment in the
South, in ctuding that ofIts representatives
in this convention, establishes tn, fact that
the great mass Of the Southern people ac-
cent. will, as full and sincere submission
as DO the people of the other States, the
rc-es,ablished supremacy of the national
authority, and are prepared. IN the most
| hral spirit and with zeal quickened alike
, bv their interest and their pride, to coop
crate with other States and sections in
whatever may be necessary to defend the
| rights, usaintain the honor and promote
the welfare Of our common country.
History affords no instance where pco-
pie so powerful IN numbers, IN resources
and in public spirit, after war so long in
its durati n, so destructive in It's progress
aud so adverse in its issue, have accepted
defeat and its consequences with SO much
of good faith as has marked the conduct
Of the people lately in insurrcctlon against
the United States. Beyond all question,
this has been largely due to the wise gene
rosi,y with which their enforced surrender
was accepted BY the President of the Uni
ted States and the generals III immediate
command Of their armies, and to the libe-
raj measures which were afterwards taken
to restore order, tranquility and Law to the
States where all had for the ume been
ovcrthrown No steps could have pecn
better calculated 20 command the respect,
win the confidence, revive the patriotism,
and secure the permanent and affcctonate
allegiance of the people Of the South to
the constitution and laws Of the Union than
those which have been 80 firmly taken and
50 steadfastly pursued by the President OF
the United States.
And if that confidence and loyalt, have
been since impaired if the people OF the
South are to-day less cordial IN their allie
glance than they were immediately upon
the close of the war-wc believe 1t IS due
to the changed tone of the lcglsiative7 de-
partmcnt of the general government to-
wards ,hem to the action by which Con
eress has endcavored to supplant and de-
feat the Presidents wise and Dcnehcen'
policy Of restoration; to their exclusion
from all participation in our common gov,
ernmcnt; to the withdrawal. from them OF
rights conferred and guaranteed by the
constitution, and to the evident purpose OF
Congress. in the exercise Of a usurPcd anu
unlawful authority, to reduce them from
the rank of free and equal members OF a
renublic of States, with ri lights and dlgnl-
ties unimpaircd, to the condition OF con !.
quered provinces and a conquered people
In al! things subordinate and subject to the
Will of .heir couquerors only to obey
laws, ia making which they arc not allow
ed to share.
No people has ever yet existed whose
lnalty and faith such treatment, long CON
tinued, would not ALLEVIATE and impair, and
the ten millions of Americans who live IN
the South would be unworthy citizens of
free country. degenerate sons ot an herolc
ancestry, unfit ever to become guardians
of the rights and liberties bequcathed to US
bv the fathers and founders of this repub-
lie, if they could accept, with 1ncolnplain-
ing submission, the humiiatlons thus
sought to be imposed upon them ke-
sentiment of injustice is always and every
where essential to freedom; and the spirit
which prompts the States and people lately
in iusurrection bat insurgcnt now no lon
ger, to protest against the imposition OF
unjust and degrading conditions makes
them all the more worthy to share III the
government Of Il free commonwealth and
gives still firmer assurance OF the future
power and freedom of the republic.
For whatever respon sbty the Southernneo-
pl.. may have incurred IN resisting .he au'h"''-
~ Of the national government, and IN taking up
arms for It's overthrow, they may oe heio To an
aver ~ individuals before the judicial trlbn-
nails Of ,he land. and for that conduct, as s.
riet,.s and organized communities they have al
r.odv noid the most tea'ful penalties that can
I'll on offending States, iii the losses, the sui
ferinps and humil!ationr Of unsuecesst"i war
PM, whatever may be the guilt or the punish
ment Of the conscious authois ol 'he llsufEtc-
ton candor aud common Jusice demand I'M
concession that the great mass of those who be
wh,r tb.v believed TO be theIr duty, IN defence
If what they had been taught 10 believe their
rIrbts. or under a compulSon, ply ySical ana
nlur,d which they We're powerIess 10 resis'.
or can il be aII,lss to remember that. terri
III, ,s have been the bereavements and the los
ses of .l,is war. they have ia len exclusively
unon nr,thcr section and upon neither party
that they have fallen indeed With far greater
wejrht upon tho.c with whom the war oeSan
frh,, IN The death nf relatives and trends, the
DISPERSION ot flmi,lcs. the disruption OF Soc'a
svsi,ns and soc nj ties overthrow OF govern
s,.nts. ,f I,w and of order the destruction OF
nr,,.rtv and c:furmS and modes and means of
nd,st,v the loss oi polite i, commercial and
moral influence, IN every shape and form which
"a ,al,ni.ies can assume, the States ana peo-
~. winch enc .ged IN the war against the gov
s,nment of the United States have Sutterre" ten
f,iJ mon. than those who rem1Ined III allegiance
TO liz constitution and laws
These con nslderations may not as they GER
,,,nlv do not, Justify the action at the people ot
IN. ,nsurcent States bat no just Gr generous
mind viii refuse Ia them very considerable
weiab, IN Determining thr line OF cond dnct winch