The Van Buren press., 1867-10-25
A few Thoughts for the Confederation
and Reflection of the People.

Let every Conservative Constitutional Tn
Ion man go to the polls on the 9TH of Novem-
Der and voc Against Convention" and not
forget at the same time to vote for JAMES
GRErG, as delegate; so that if a Convention be
held, Crawford county may be represented by
National Union man. No man who respects
himself and rightly appreciates the honor and
veal Of his country ought to hesitate mo-
ment in giving negative vote, and why?
Because the entire Congressional scheme of
Reconstruction is gross usurpaton and
shameful violation of the Constitution of the
United States. Whence was derived the au-
thority to establish military dcspotism over
ten States Of the Union? Not from the war
power for the war ceased upon the surrender
of the Confederate armies more than two
years ago, anl profound peace rcigns through
out all our borders. Whence was derived the
power to regulate suffrage in the States and
confer 1t upon the negroes of the South in op-
position to the almost unanimous voice of the
people? Not from the war power for the rca-
son already assigned and for others that might
be given nor indeed from any other legitimate
source. From the foundation of the Govern
ment up to the advent Of Radical misrule. it
was conceded on all hands that the States
alone were authorized to regulate suffrage
within and for the States and no respectable
statesman had the hardihoood to assert the
right of Congress to interfere with a subject
belonging exclusively to the States. Now il
Is asserted by the great leader of the party
that these infamous measures ofdespotic DOW
er are outside Of the Constitution" and they
are claimed TO be legitimate only because
Congress is governing these States without
reference to the Constitution. But why ar
raign the Black Republican party for its in
fractions of the Constitution la its very
origin it was conceived in sin and brought
forth in iniquity. Purely sectional in its or
ganlzation, it was built upon the principles of
enmity and hostility to the Government of a
common country, and throughout It's entire
hateful history an utter disregard of the fur
damcntal law has frequently marked its ac-
ton. Ought the people then by their votes
to countcnance or give sanction to the out
rage sought to be perpetrated upon them !?
What good can possibly come of a Convention
based upon usurpation and wrong? Does
any man doubt the object Of these infamous
measures? If he does, let him read the re-
construction acts and mark well the course
of the radicals for the last two years, and he
can doubt no longer. 1t is, in word, and we
boldly proclaim it, TO ESTABLISH NEGRO GOV
ERNMENTs In ALL THE SOUTHERN STATES, and
thus degrade and ruin the white population
Of these States, beyond the hope of rcdemp-
ton. But some one will say we cannot avert
this horrible fate. 1t may be that we cannot
save ourselves from this blighting destiny, for
the hand of power rests heavily upon us.
But we ought to do all that becomes men with
our surroundings and history to avert the
threatened calamity. Enslaved though we
be, We can never forget that we were born
free, and that our fathers were free before us.
Let us then 90 to the polls and proclaim to
the vile leaders of hateful faction who have
enslaved the descendants of the Washing
tons, the Marshall's, the Jeflerson's, the Madi-
sons, the Henry's and the Lees, that we do
not willingly accept the chains they are riv
citing upon our limbs.
Again, we most earnestly appeal to you to
go to the polls and vote AGAINST CoNvEN-
TIoS,' aud for JAMES GRElG, for Delegate
so that If a Convention should be called
Crawford County may not blush for her
Delegate.