Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-01-19

their return TO the Uniony 20 that when they'i
re.enter upon its obligations and its bles.
sings they will be the better able to fulal
the one and enjoy The other. Their coDdi-
tion IL fearful warning to men and ma
tons, and especially to ourselves.
Until slavery fell we. did not fully under
stand the value of Republican institutions.
Accustomed to tolerate, and In many cases
to defend slavery, we did not feel that its
close proximity, 80 far from assisting, was
gradually destroying our liberties; and 1t
was only when rebellion tore away the mask,
that vo saw the hedious features Of the
monster that was eating out the vitals of
the Republic.
| If we arc now astonished and shocked at
the, exhibition of cruelty and ingratitude
amoag those who, having inaugurated and
prosecuted causeless war against a gener- |
Gus government, and having been permitted
to escape the punishment they deserve, are
once more arrogantly clamoring to assume
control of the destinies of this great nation,
how much greater cause would we have had
for surprise had slavery been permitted to
increase and multiply2 1a..
Boast es we may of our material and our
moral victories, yet it is NOT true that there
is no such thing as Republican govern
ment in the ten States that began and carri-
ed on the war2 There is not to-day, des
potic State in Europe where the rights of
the individual man are so defant!y tranpled
under foot, as Ia the sections which were
supposed to have been brought into full
submission to the Government of the Unit.
ed States. But the disease has suggested
its Providential cure.
The abhorrent doctrine, that defeated
treason shall not only be magnanimously
h,.N sS,kr fa vat az OF
. privileges, because of its guilty failure,
seems to have been insisted upon, as If to
strengthen the better and the contrasting
, doctrine, that nation, having conquered
, its freedom, is its own best guardian, and
that those who were defeated in honorable
battle should be constrained to submit to
all the terms of the oonqueror.
The violators Of the most solemn o5liga-
, tions, the perpetrators of the most atrocious
, crimes in the annals of time, the murderers
of our heroic soldiers on fields of battle, and
in loathsome dungeons and barbarous pri-
sons, they must not shall not, re-appear in
the council chambers of the nation, to aid
; in its legislation, or control its destinies,
! unless it shall be on conditions which will
preserve our institutions from their baletul
3 purposes and influence, and secure republi-
, can forms of government In their purity
r and vigor, in every section OF the country.
/ That they are indisposed to accept such
conditions, is manifest from their recent and
even arrogant rejection of the proposed
a amendments of the national Constitution
: amendments which are believed, by many
b true and patriotic citizens and statesmen, to
be too mild and generous.
!. They have, however, been fully considered
e by the people during the late elections, and
e approved by majorities so large as to give
| N xrh; mould lo my
!. to either overlook or disregard And GER
d tainly in view Of this fact, none of the late
e rebel States should be admitted to their
i former practical relations" to the General
,r Government, while they continre to oppose
|. these amendments.
If To the Congress Of the United States the
le heartfelt sympathies and overwhelming sui
frages of the people have been generously
given. They have fearlessly proclaimed
q. their unequivocal verdct-"WELL DONE
oil GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS" Upon the
rt deliberations and actions of Congress ou
A. present interests and future welfare all de
Ie pend. In its firmness and courage tht
n whole experiment of genuine republicanisn
a is indissolubly involved. That this firmnes
e. and courage will be fully exhibited by it
lie controlling majorities, in the originatioI
a. and adoption of measures of wisdom ant
n discretion, even more radical and decisive
if necessary than those of the past, l enter
ut tain no doubt. Such measures will NEE
O. with my cordial approval. And may wei
Mt add. that Pennsylvania will confide in 10y
of al Congress, she will not hesitate to sustain
D. it with her entire influence and power.
it, That in the administration OF the govern
be ment l may err, is only what should be ex
" pected from the intirmties of the huma
&C. mind; but as l enter upon the discharge @
be my responsible duties with firm resolutio
is. to act with honesty and impartiality, trus
ID, my errors will be regarded with charity an
nv treated with the gentleness of magnanimou
IN. forgiveness. -.....
And earnestly hope that my intercours
of with my fellow. citizens of the Senate an
al House of Representatives will be so fran
m. and cordial that our duties to q commo
BIT. constituency will be pleasantly and faithful
he discharged. Different branches of the go'
ere ernment as we are, with distinctive dutie
he we are nevertheless parts of one organize
nd and we'll regulated system, and as we C,
ZEN operate or disagree, the interests of Il
State probably be promoted or retarded
ra- Elected by the people, desirous to promo
Jus the welfare of every citizen, mere party di
ferences should not be allowed to interfe
with the maintenance of a generous, a tn
aw and comprehensive public policy.
of 1t was the ilustrious Washington, equal
ed. distinguished as a warrior and q statesma
lis who gave utterance to the declaration, 18th
hat the proptious smiles of Heaven cannot
the expected on a nation that disregards Il
,ci- eternal rules of order and right" and Jeffe
ed, son, who asserted that whatever is moral
In wrong cannot be politically right" The
lb- utterances express my deepest convictions
see the rules and principles which should pt
ed. meate and control all governments. Let |
oto- fellow-citizens, adhear to them, be govern
,sly by them, and our efforts will be happi
ju. united in surrounding the institutions
not our State, as well as those of our natic
tee with rampant of truth that will repel t
ced madness of ambition, the schemes of usurl
AVS tion, and successfully resist tho changes a