Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-01-08
GOvERNOR HOLDEN ON THE sITUA-
TIOH.
RALE1en, N. O., Dec. 20. 1866.

To the Editors Of the Albany Eoening journal;
Gentlemen--I have been an attentive
reader of the journal since the close of the
rebellion. Iadmire its broad national spirit,
and respect it for its ability and dignity. But
will you pardon suggestion or two from
Southern Union manp .r.D.s ns
1t seems to me it is beneath the dignity OF
Congress to pass Judge spaulding's resolu-
ton. The fact that Tennessee was eagerly
admitted on the adoption of the Howard
amendment, ought to satisfy the most cap
tious. Besides, is it proper, by resolution,
to announce that Constitutional amend
ment, when adopted, shall be bindingp Do
you know, gentlemen, that the leaders and
instigators of the rebellion, who now have
absolute control of these insurgent States,
utterly contemn and scorn the proposed
amendmentP They are hostile to every
provision in it, especially the one that ex-
cludes them from office. II they should
adopt it. they would not, themselves, elect
members to Congress who could take the
test oath, but would leave this dishonorable
business, as they would regard it, to the per-
secuted Unionists. They might condescend
TO elect some very ignorant white men who
could take the oath, or some negroi They
would probably elect some two or three OF
the latter race. 1t would cause general
rejoicing at their tournaments and other
gatherings, to hear of two or three negro
men who could take the oath, claiming seats
| in the House.
The Unionists of this State are for the
Howard amendment, although it excludes
nearly all of them from office. As this will
no doubt surprise you, I will explain; The
great body of the Unionists, who remained
here during the rebellion, were obliged to
'engage in the rebellion" They did not dc
so voluntarily or willingly, but to save them
selves and their children from conscription
imprisonment, and death. Like others
many of them had, previous to the rebel
lion, taken the oath to support the Fedora
Constitution. My own case will furnisl
an example. took the oath in 1s46, whei
a young man, Il am but AS now,) as mem
ber of the State Legislature.
But, you say, Congress will relieve me
Granted, but here is the peculiar hardship
There are thousands of young men, steepe
to the ears in treason, who have never take
this oath, and they would beat me for oftic
easily on two grounds: First, because the
: have been "true to the Contederacy'' an
; secondly, because of the supposed stigm
on me, the result of being relieved by
: "Radical Congressr' Do you see its I'll
very young Confederate officer who led IL
troops that mobbed me in 1868 for N
Unionlsm, would proclaim me traitor
0 would say that Congress had 50 declare
and would distance me ior office. IL
+ Unionists 60 for the proposed amendme
because it is national proposition, and b
cause we heartily approve Of every part
= it that does not, in effect, bar us.
= Now, gentlemen, Mr.. Stevens is rigl
10 He is "noble old Roman" Thirty tho
u sand loyal white men and forty thOusa
ID negro men in this State, look to him and
y his bill as their only hope. If you expe
'u as 1 know you do, to re-establishthe uni
" on lasting basis, take Mr.. Stevens bill.
1 tell you that the Rebel leaders who
Mt controlling these States are t'totally rega
aS less or political ''duty, and fatally bent
no mischief" You must govern them, or Il
y will at last again govern you. If you per-
them to have their own way, your blood
g! YOUR treasure will have been sacrificed
~, ~ vain. am not mistaken when l info
l -. you that our loyal people are in favo
Mr.. Stevens bill. should be greatly 81
~ fed to sec the journal and every Republi
paper take ground for 1t. Let the De
,ss I cratic party go where it belongs to the 81
~ level with secession traitors, 1t seems
w ~ me you have a position as patriots, and
M you have arguments that would at once
Ivy ,' that disloyal organization. do not
, !: course, mean those gallant Douglas Dc
Gratis who fought and suffered for the Un
but those Breckinridgers who embarra
'"As the Government during the rebellion,
'a nv who are now in sympathy with sout
,L,. traitors.
w Excuse the liberty I have taken,
~. III, believe me Truly yours,
.n W. w. HoLDE
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