Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-02-01
RUTLAND HERALD.
MONDAY. JANUARY %. 1866
rcm,.r Of the Intelligent south,

.uhlisb.d a series of communications
anon "the duty Of the hour written
av one of the most prominent men of
the South-prominen by his piety and
learning says the editor of that paper.
The Avalanche We have not seen but an
exchange gives the substance Of the
communications
4 The writer is not for mere Submission
TO what defeat has made inevitable; he
would have the Southern people accept
the situation fully, and adapt themselves
70 It, even though in many things 1t Is
against their convictions. Having re.
sumed their allegiance to the general
government, he says their supper Of it
should be earnest and loyal, and they
should hold themselves ready to defend
it with their lives. The courage and
Dersisteucy of the South in the war, he
AYERS, has won the respect OF the North
fraternal relations must now be re-es-
tablished by renewed devotion TO the
Union. Having pointed out some OF the
positive duties OF the Southern people,
the writer proceeds to say negatively
that they ought not to be required to
lconfess to the crime Of treason; he was
at first opposed TO secession and pre-
sicted its lamentable results, but he
Knows that the people believed that pri-
mary allegiance was due to their States
that they had no idea of committing
treason, but really supposed they were
defending their Constitutional rights
against the aggressions ol Northern ia
*uaticism aud notification; and 10 re
suire them to confess themselves guilty
OF treason would only be 10 tempt them
to hypocrisy and dupliCityr for they can
not honestly make any such confession.
Neither. he contends, should the South
be required to Tenounce its traditional
bith. Slavery was believed TO be right
and divincly authorized, and the destruC
tion OF. the system by war has not
changed this opinion bat the new rela-
8tion is accedted in good faith, the people
will do the best they can with it,and there
is no general disposition to withhold Just
treatment from the freedmen. Moreover,
he says, the South should not be re-
ouired to enfranchise the negroes they
do not believe them fit for self govern
ment. and it will be time enough to ask
suffrage for them when they show them
selves prepared to vote intelligently.
The other important points he makes
are, that the South ought not to be ex-
pected to remain willingly under militia
tary government, or to be content with
taxation without representation, or to
fall in love with the radical politicians
of the North.
That many honest, we'll meaning men
st the South sincerely believed that they
owed primary allegiance to their State,
and secondary to the general govern
ment, or to the Constitution of the
United States, we can readily compre-
bend. Thousands had been taught to
believe it by political knaves and dema-
goguee, who knew better, but who fiat
tered aud paadered to State pride and
local prtiudices, TO win votes and pollti-
cal influence. 1t is the old State-sover-
eAgnty doctrine OF Calhoun, which is
contradicted by the plsinest letter Of the
j Constitution itself, and the oath which
State Governors and other officials are
VI REQUIRED to take before they can assume
the duties OF their office, ought to pre-
clude the possibility OF intelligent men
being deceived
The Constitution clearly dehnes trea'
acn aud no man is ut to hold ohce un
der it who does not know that taking
up arms against the supreme govern
aaent is treason-aud no man who doe;
aot know that the Consultation Of tht
United States aud the laws passed under
1t are supreme over all State laws snC
acts, should be permitted to vote undel
the proposed suffrage qualification
which requires one to be able to reaC
the Constitution, for if one can no
read its plainest and simplest words 81
Is to understand them, he is no bette
qualified to act under it, than one WHIT
cannot read them at all. If intelligen
men at the South are still to act on th
theory that the Constitution does no
mean what 1t says-that it ls j mer
rope of sand, containing no power +
ssforce It's clearly expressed authorit
that states through the ambition 0
caprice Of politicians can ride over an
ersmple upeD ana take up arms. agains
1t, TO CRAFTY passion or prejudice, the
indeed are they poorly qualified to II
eater the Union 80 participstors in Il
government. There can be 40 peace c
seourity so long as this old states right
aud state sovereignty neresy Is pre-
aeesed by any large number OF in9uer
aai citiseus. Let Southern politician
who have heretofore acted under shi
dectrine renounoe it for the future au
acknowledge that they have committe
sfstal error IN ever adopting ;t-le
them teach their followers new sn
better lesson-aEd the country will b
Benefited more than by all the panaces
That are now proposed 20 agitste an
csofuse the brains Of Cougressmen.
uOoD ptlg Tpn7sEaszK The Iag,si,