The loyal Georgian., 1866-02-17

section in state of violent and agitated
turmoil and commotion for the last eight
or ten years. The people have been blind
to their own inte ests. They have op-
posed every measure and every policy
that would in any way tend to benefit the
general Government, and many that
would have materially benefited their
own section. They have advocated mea>
sure after measure, and policy upon poll
cy, which, had they been sufficiently sue
cessful, sufficiently powerful, or more
favored by the Goddess Fortune, would
have plunged their own section and their
own states into irretrievable distress,
danger and difficulties For time, hav-
ing by violence seized the reins, like Phae-
ton in lis fathers chariot, they lashed
their steeds into a course so wild and
erratic.that the world stood still to won-
der However brilliant this course, it
it was short; quicksaDds and bogs were
in the way, and it ended in the mire of
woe.
Having seen the the result of this
poitical foment and opposition against
what it should be the highest duty of
every citizen to submit to, the rightful
authority of Government, and the law of
the land, one would suppose, with some
degree of reason, that it was quite time
there should be break in the clouds, and
some slight indications at least, of peace,
and quiet and good order beyond But
such does not appear to be the case.
1t can not be expected that complete
and final reconstruction of the lately
seeded states can he effected, until all
classes, irrespection Of conditive and color,
are made equal before the law. Presi-
der9 Lincoln, III his memorable proclama
ton, declared the slaves fee. Congress
aud the States acting upon what was SO no
bly, begun, and accepting it as declara-
ton that neither law nor policy would
allow them to retreat from, completed
the work by passing and adopting the
constitutional amendment, which declared
slavery forever abolished. 1t is our duty
to accept this as the highest law of the
land. 1t is a decision pronounced from
the tribunal of the people of this coun-
try, from which there is no appeal.
1t is not necessary to speculate upon
the causes, the concurr nee of events
aud circumstances, which brought this
about. 1t is enough for us to know that
it is true; that it is an existirg selfeVi-
dent fact,
Accepting it, then, as the law of the
land, let us ask, was it the intention of
that great and good man when he signed
that immortal document that gave liberty
to an oppressed race, was it the inten>
ton of Congress when it passed the
amendment, was it the intention Of the
States that acted in good faith when they
ratified such amendment, simply to change
the form of slavery, and introduce sys-
tenn Of peonagc and serfdom, better ouly
iu name, but hundred fold worse in re,
atty than the old system of slavery ever
was 1t is vain to think so. Let him
that is so credulous as to believe it, look
to the expression that Congress and an
overwhelming majority of the people of
the North are giving to this question.
Slavery has not only been abolished,
but the mancipated race has been de-
clared free. Is not freedom aEAe to all
before the laao, save where it is taken
aw y for the punishment of crime Can
the law give to class freedom, and, at
the same time make wide and invidious
dstinctfols between that class, and an
other class which Is also free Is not
freedom, iu every land, in the eye of the
law, these rights, privileges, and immunl
ties, which the most numerous free class
enjoys? Freedom is not the same In any
two countries. Each country has thu