The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-01-23

they may even be reduced to territorial
condition :, Tbisis no easy task it will
not be lightly, undertaken It will not be
easily executed. Difficulties will arise at
every step! It's 50 bold q usurration Of
power, involving SO many interests, both
of the people and the States Of the North
SO revolutionary and disorganiling, SO fa-
grahtly at war with every provision and
theory Of the Constitution, that it will
scarcely be possSle 10 execute il fully.a-
We will resist It by every means known
to the Constitution. But if the attempt
should be made successfully, this, too, be.
ing imposed by superior force, they can
bear. Let them oppose it by the passive
resistance of lnasterly inactivity 4; let them
repair their shattered fortunes let them
reconstruct their industrial system let
them WOO prosperity aud wealth /; let their
fields whiton With cotton, and their plan
tations yield their corn, and sugar and
rice. Let them, moved by their own just
impulses and not by dictation from others
revise, if necessary, their Legislation 10
regard 10 the freedmen, and secure to them
all their civil rights by the same process
Of law, enforced by the same penalties as
are used in the case of the white men,
Let them, If necessary to secure this am
pie protection, revise and change the pub
lie opinion Of their communities. Let
them be jealous in securing to them every
opportunity of fitting themselves for their
changed condition, and every advantage
for good development which a healthy,
social and governmental system will per.
nit The necessity Of both sections will
coerce social and commercial intercourse,
and this in time will soften asperities aud
asSuage bitterness and promote good will,
and restoration, if it ever comes at all,
will be upon sound basis.
Nor in this connection is tie fact to be
overlooked that very few Of the Northern
States have ratified the amendmeDt-and
that il all these ten excluded States should
ratify it, seventeen others would be need.
ed. They have shown no alucrity to come
forward. Nor is it 10 be forgotten that the
bill authorizing the admission of Repre-
sentatives and Senators upon the complete
ratification, has never yet passed either
House of Congress
By law of its being falsehood possess.
es All inherent weakness. Sometimes its
supporters quarrel and divide. Sometimes
its parts antagouize. Sometimes force
touches it, and a bubble only has burst
Sometimes sober thought assails it. Time
with its Ithuriel spear inevitably pierCei
it, and it comes to naught.
This frenzy Of passion cannot last for
ever. Reason must sooner or later resume
its sway. Those who think otherwise, il
has been beautifully said, forget that the
angry rapids of the Niagara lead to the
placid expanse Of Ontario 1t was ar
eastern sage who urged his master to hav,
engraveu on his signet ring, that it nigh
ever be before his eyes, in every vicissi
tude of prosperity or adversely; "Ant
this too shall pass away" This year o
Lext year, or in FIVE years, or in ten year
season will be heard and our principle
and our party will triumph. But if i
should not come 70 pass 10 our time, an'
if We Of this generation must die with ou
harness on, in the testimony of goo
conscience, we shall at least have KEEP
the faith, we shall at least have the as
suranco of good hope for we know tina
great parties struggling for great princi
pies, like good men, leave behind then
footsteps in the sands of time"
4 ''Footsteps which perhaps another
, Sailing DER life's barren main,
Some forlorn and shipwrecked brother
Seeing, may take heart again"
In the meantime we are strong as q m
nority, adhering to our principles. W
would be weak in office at tho expense
thcm. The power for good of an homes
opposition is large indeed The rudde
may so direct its course that the vesst
will advance almost 10 face Of tho wind
We are strong as we cast aside all ten
: porizing expedients, as we reject all sac
rificcs Of principles to policy,ias we bray'
ly and openly avow our faith and iavok
apatriotic people to its thoughtful cor
sideratiou. Gentlemen of the ConveI
ton, let us make that appeal to the peopl
to day. la