The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-09-04


county of Work House, and appointed Board
of Directors to superintend the matter. We
think that experience will show that these County
Work Houses will be Improbable in every way
They will not lessen crime, but will increase
county expenditures.
| UNTIMELY.-We fear that it is unfortunate and
untmely that the Freedmen's Bureau at Wash
ington has resolved to discontinue the issuing OF
rations to freedmen and otkers after the 1st of
! October. The grain crops of the South short,
and in many localities perfect failure, and sup
plies must be obtained from other quarters. In
some instances the freedmen have not used pro-
per exertions to make crop, and this cause,
added to the severe drouth, will cause suffering.
For whatever idleness has been practiced by the
freedmen, the Bureau is responsible, and now it
is the duty of that Department to continue to
| help them, as the State and County authorities
| will not be able to afford any relief. If the whole
operations of the Bureau were entirely dscon-
tinued it would be better for all, but the con-
still claims jurisdiction in the South it must
provide for the destitute well as lazy freedmen.
->~->--
| y The Government of Macmillan in Mexico
appears to be in precarious condition. Appli-
|
France for further help, but the applicant was
told that the French troops must be withdrawn
in accordance with promise made to the United
States. President Johnson's proclamation, re-
fusing to acknowledge the legality of the block
ade established by Macmillan on the Northern
frontier of Mexico, has greatly encouraged those
| who fighting against Macmillan. 1t now
| looks if Macmillan will have to leave Mexico.
| We think it is unfortunate for the Mexican peo-
pie. well for civilized society. that the effort
| to establish permanent Government has failed.
The Mexcans themselves have shown abundant
evidence that they are unfit for self-government.
EY The Northern radicals have been glorify-
ing Gen. Grant until quite recently, when they
discovered that he favored the Presidents policy.
Now they call him tme-server, and, no doubt,
will soon commence abusing him Systematically.
We are gratified to see the remark of President
Johnson, that he and Gen. Grant agree in senti-
ment. Grant is great loss to the radicals.
GREAT SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT IN NEW
YoRK-He declares Gen. Grant and himself
IN accord.-The banquet given to President
johnson in New York, on last Thursday night,
was splendid affair. Among those present
were Grant, Farragut, Seward, Welles, Rous-
seau, the Mexican and Brazilian ministers, A
T Stewart, Astor, and upwards of two thousand
citizens.
The President spoke at great length, and said
10 the course of his remarks: "Fhat the Gov
eminent went to war for the express purpose of
restoring the union Of these States. And the
government had established the great fact that
the States have not the power nor the right,
either by forcible or peaceable means, to separ-
ate from each other. But the Congress has
practically assumed, and up to the present time
carried out, the doctrine that the government
was dissolved, and these States were out of the
Union. We denied the right to secede, even
peaceably. And now We find, when these States
seek again to renew their practical relations with
| the Union, by sending representatives to Con-
gress, there are men in that body who in viola
ton of our great charter of liberty, refuse to
admit them.
The question is, will we submit Will the
American people submit to this practical asser-
| ton of the doctrine they repudiated and over
threw by the war? That issue is before YOU
If we submit to this, We give the lie direct to
every position taken by US since the war COM
menced, He asked, in the spirit of christianity
and sound philosophy, if we prepared again
to see one portion Of the country arrayed against
the other in deadly conflict Or shall We make
every effort to unite the whole country in har-
mony and brotkerly affection.
Referring to the Philadelphia Convention, he
said that the best evidence that can be known
of loyalty, are loyal professions and loyal actions
! And when those gentlemen met in Convention,
| from the North and South, came forward and
professeG devotion to the Union and Consttu-
ton, and when their actions and professions
| correspond, who shall dare to doubt them p
Have We reached that point, that all confidence
is lost in men? If we have, I tell you that
your government is not as strong rope of
sand, has no weight and will tumble to pieces.
The adhesive power of this government is In
the confidence which the people feel in each
other
He said that the South had accepted the ar
bitrament of the sword and wanted to return
again to the Union. He did not want to see
them come back degraded; he wanted them to
come with all their manhood. They have again
| taken up the Constitution and ask that its laws
shall be enforced. What, then, was the cause
of dstrust? There IS no cause!
He also said that Gen. Grant and himself
| fought for the Union at one end Of the line, and
now they were fighting for it at the other; and
if Grant was not in the field, he was doing
equally good service daughter and ap-
plause)
He said that our So, 10000 900 of debt could
be paid only by the consolidation of our nation
atty and the perpetuty and union of the
States.
In conclusion, he said that the demonstration
! in New York confirmed him in his opinion that
the people will take care of the Government,
and those who would attempt to Illustrate them
had better stand aside. He, himself, had reach
ed the summit of his ambition, with one excep-