The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-19
For the Western Democrat.
WHOSE FAULT IS 1T ?

We are now in political chaos, without posi-
tive government. Constitution or laws We
may have pcrmissive government. with negro
equality-or rather. truthfully speaking. negro
superiority-for politically they are now entitled
to more privileges and rights than we. Whose
ia ut is this A brief review of our history since
our surrender may aid in answering this inquiry.
1t is we'll known, by the Published letters of
General Sherman. that short time previous to
the surrender of Gen Joseph E. Johnston, that
President Lincoln had long private interview
with Gen. Sherman somewhere below Richmond.
and that President Lincu intmated or specified
to him the terms on VIII: n our submission would
be received. and that these terms embraced
in the generous articles of surrender agreed upon
between the two eminent commanders above
named. These articles recognized US : States,
and promised an early restoration t" the Union,
without degrading or humanity conditions. Who
rejected and Gisappreved of these articles of sur
render a.? 1t present President. He re-
jrcted these conditions of reconstruction. and
after the surrender began his work of recon
struction-appointing Governors and calling Con-
venti"ns. proposing conditions and assuming
sponsibilites, anG promising his Executive power
to support them.
The South promptly accedcd to all his condi-
tions and were met by refusal aud contempt in
Congress, and with little better by the President,
VIII" never once alluded to the repeal of the test
oath and whose amnesty proclamation plainly
indicated his narrow minded policy that even his
enemies tainted him for his restrictions. It is
notorious that bis personal pardons many of
them Inconsistent with his avowed principles
The steru"st Union men have been denied par
dons; such statesmen and unonists as Governor
Graham and others still under penalty of
conf>cation while many prominent secessionsts
are pard"ned-not that we object to what he has
done in THAT way, for all who obtained pardons
should have tiem.J but to what he has failed IT,
do Then his exceptions of men of property, in
his amnesty. has done more to cripple
gies than all the laws of Congress-
Bot to proceed. Notwithstanding all these
evidences of nsincerity. the South coutinued to
rely on his promises and to follow his advice.
Under bis influence we have pprsistenty resisted
the proposals Of Congress. under the assurance
! that we would be protected against these oppres
slVe and Unconstitutional measures and we have
now the fruits of our provocations in Sherman
Bill for military governments. and the dSappont-
ment of our hopes in meeting the least resistance
on the part OF the Executive. For practical re-
lief we have dued out to US. at stated periods.
long stereotyped dissertations the unconstitu
| tionaity of the measures What difference to
does it make whether these oppressive measures
are constitutional or not, if the Congress passes
them. and the Executive executes them He
! knows the right and yet the wrong pursues."
1t Is time that our creduty little shaken,
and that We should begin to think for ourselves
instead of allowing the President to think for US.
We are now told of coming reaction at the
A>oith' anu CIVIL stflte among Cnem. ana tnaC we
must wait for these to relieve Let the fate
of the Girondi>ts,teach that revolutions never
6" backward-they must cuiminate. 1t is useless
t" resist them by moral force. and we have none
other. We must follow the progress or be trod-
den under foot. 4st the pnrtentuous measures
now proposed by Congress which is the supreme
! arbiter of the land teach US that we must avoid
aud not resist the STORM
What must we do !! Submit to the Congress
| sional plan of Observation-Disclosures men who will
carry it oct in good faith-eect white men, be-
fore negroes. 1t is time when ''Southern men,"
as they are appropriately called. should abstain
from seeking office controlling legislation: for
they cannot enforce any Constitution disapproyed
by Congress Therefore let the Constitution he
framed by the Radicals in North Carolina who
we'll reflect the views of their friends in Congress-
and give us some government: which is superior
to the anarchy which now prevails in our land
This think is our policy; for our principies
are overthrewn and for the time are ..crushed to
earth" These sug gestions may not be Correct
but they seem to be our only hope on
REFLECTION.