The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-08-31

all their public conduct 10 the reTuire-
mcnts Of the Constitution and laws
we have no right to exact from them
conformity in their sentiments and O.
piniOnS to our own.
3. That we have no right to distrust
the purpose or the ability of the peo-
pie of the Union t. protect and defend,
under all contingencies and by what
ever means may be required, its honor
and its welfare.
These would, to our Judgment, be
full and conclusive answers to the plea
thus advanced for theeXclusi0n Of those
States from the Union. But we say
further, that this plea rests upon Il COM
plete miSapprehension oran Unjust per-
version OF existing facts.
We do not hesitate to affirm, that
there is n0sectiOn OF thecOuntry where
the Constitution and laws of the Uni
ted States find a more prompt and en-
tire obedience than in those states,
and among those people who were
lately in arms against them; or where
there is less purpose or less danger Oi
anv future attempt to overthrow their
authority. 1t would seem to be both
natural and inevitable that, in States
and sections so recently swept by the
WhirlWind Of war, where all the 0rdi-
nary modes and methods Of organized
industry have been broken up, and the
bonds and influences thatguarantee so
cial order have been destrOyed-WhCre
thOusandsand tens of thousands OF tur-
buIeut spirits have been suddenly lo0s-
ed from the discipline OF war, and
thrown without resources or restraint
upon a disOrgauized and chaotic sOcie-
~, and where the keen sense Of defeat
is added to the overthrow Of ambition
and hone. scenes of violence should de-
fy fora time the imperfect discipline
Of law, and excite anew the fears and
fOreb0dings OF the patriotic and well
depoSed. 1t Is unGucsuun#hly true
that local disturbances Of this kind,
companicd by more or less Of violence,
do still occur. But they are confined
entirely to the cities and larger towns
of the Southern States, where different
races and interests are brought most
closely in contact, and where passions
and resentHenis are aIWay, most easi-
IN fed and famed into outbreak; and
even there they are quite A. much the
fruit of untimeiy amt hurtiuI political
agitation as Of any hostility on the part
of the people to the authority OF the
National Government.
But thCcOncgrrcnt testimony OF those
best acquainted with the condition OF
society and the state Of public senti-
meut in the .SOuJh-inCluding that Of
its Representatives in this Convention
the fact that the grca mass
of the Southern people accept with ~
full and sincere submission as 90 the
people Of the other States, the rC-pStab-
lished supremacy OF the national au-
thOrlty, and aru prepared, III the most
loyal spirit, and with Il zeal qulckCntd
alike by their interest and their pride,
to cooperate with other States and Sec
tions in whatever may be necessary
to defend the rights, maintain the hon
or and promote The welfare Of our COM
mon country. History affords no in
stance where people, 30 powerful III
numbers, in resources and III puollC
suirit. after war 50 long in its dura-
ton, 50 destructive in Its progress, ana
80 adverse in it- issue, have accepted
defeat and its COnSeQ utnCeS with 50
much of good faith a has marked the
conduct Of the people lately in insur-
rccti0n against the United States. Be
yuud all question this has been large. Y
due to the wise generosity with which
their enforced surrender was accepted
bv the President OF the United STATES
and the Generals in Immediate COM
mana Of their armies, and to the liber-
al measures which were aiterWard Ia
ken TO restore order, tranquility and
law to the States where ali had for the
time been OVerthrOWn. NOsteps could
have been better calculated IA com
mand the respect, win the confidence,
revive the patriotism and secure the
permanent ana atfectiOnate allegiance
Of the people Of the South to the Con
Stitutiou and laws of the Union, than
those which have been 50 firmly taken
and stcadfaatly pursued by the Presi-
dent OF the United States. And if
that confidence and loyalty have been
since impaired; if the people Of the
South are to-day less cordial in their
than they Wgrcimmcdiatciy
upon the close of the war, we believe
it is due to the changed t0neOf The Leg
islative Department Of the General
Government toward them to the ac-
ton bv which Congress has cndcavor-
ed to supptant and defeat the PrcSi-
dents wise and beHcticent policy of
restoration; to their exclusion from all
particiuatiGn in our common Govern
nent: 70 the Withdrawal from them Of
rights conferred and guaranteed by the
Constitution, and to the evident pur-
poses OF Congress, in the exercise OF a
IlSurpcd and unlawful authority, to re-
duce them from The rank Of free and G.
qual members of Republic of States,
With rights and dignitieS unimpalred,
to the condition Of conquered prOvin-
cc>, and conquered people, inaii things
subordinate and subject to the will Of
their conquercrs; free only 10 obey
laws in making which they are not al
lowed 10 share.
No people has ever yet existed whose
LOYALTY and faith such treatment long
would not ALLEVIATE and i'm
pair. And the ten millions Of Amerl-
can, who live in the South would be
unworthy citizens of Il free country,
degenerate sons If an heroic ancestry,
unfit ever to become guardians Ot the
rights and liberties bequeathed to us
by the fathers and founders OF this re-
public. if they would accett, with I'M
complaining submissiNcnDes, the hu-
initiation thus sought to be imposed
upon them. Resentment of injustice
is always and everywhere essential to
freedom; and the spirit which prompts
the States and people lately in lnsur-
rection, but insurgVnt now no longer,
to protest against the imposition OF an
Just and degrading conditions, makes
them all the more Worthy to share in
the government Of Il free common
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