The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-05

i, 77E77777=I7 7777Z77 s - a - . 49,
PROFESSIONS may >be upon bis lips. his heart
| Is spotted with treason. But the debtsis
,sacfed d, and will remain sacred. Hcan never
Isbe repudiated until public sentiment has
become SO depraved and Abandoned that
| the American people are unworthy to enjoy
any longer the blessings of free and en-
| lightened government. Those who seek to
| overthrow the greatness and the glory OF
our country, and their name is legion, had
banded themselves together to disgrace this
nation by breaking its faith. 1t was wise,
then, in Congress to secure the debt by
provision of the Constitution. =
| #Gentlenlen, we have now seen something
of the four conditions of reconstruction.
think we have seen that they are wise, and
Just. There certainly never were conditions
prescribed to d conquered people more
magnanimous. What country has ever been
so overwhelmingly defeated as the South
that has not had the whole expenses OF the
war to pay 2 1 can call none to my recol-
lection If the Southern rebel States had
this to do then they would begin to feel
something of what it was to be conquered
people Where has there been such re-
bellion before in the history of the world
that swift vengeance has not fallen upon
the heads of the chief conspirators? And
who has been executed for treason in the
United States? No one. In the history of
other governments the estates of rebels have
been confiscated not merely for their life
time but taken from their children after
them. What rebels property has been con-
fscated here? Con6scation has been con-
fined to taking possession of abandoned
lands and most of these were only occupied
temporarily, and are now all or nearly all
restored The rights of war gavet the United
States right to demand indemnity for the
past, but it has generously declined to exer-
else this right and only asks security for the
future. f,,--.. .- .+..
Such is brief outline of the main prin-
ciples of the Union Republican party in the
United States. 1t is upon this basis, and
this basis alone, that these shattered States.
are to be restored to the Union, if they are
ever restored at all. We therefore do most
cordially invite all, no matter what may
have been their former record or history,
who heartily and sincerely accept the Con-
gressional plan of reconstruction as wise and
just to climb up and stand with us on this.
platform and lend their hand to the great.
work of restoration. The Union republicans.
cherish no bitter or vindictiye feelings to-
wards the Southern people. We would de-
sire that the dead past, with all its follies.
and its crimes, be forever buried and for
gotten. We would take our stand in the:
living present and look towards that glori-
Gus future, which awaits u.s.. With charity
towards all and malice towards none, we.
would desire to take every American citizen
by the hand and labor together in the cause
of human emancipation, doing, in our day
and generation, what in us lies, to work out.
that high destiny, which has been placed
,ofora thic hiuhlv fa vore(l land
To our political enemies We would say
that we desire to be us friendly with them
IS possible We are citizens of the same
country and must live under the same laws,
md must of necessity share in the same:
common veal or woe. To err is human. - =
While, therefore, each maintains his opinions;
With becoming frmness. let each one have a.
lue respect for the opinion of his neighbour,
that m,ln is not lntallible and
hat absolute truth is beyond his reach. All
his we must earnestly desire and pray.
3u: if YOU choose to be severe, we can retoSt,
With keener severity. If you call as:
digger worshipers an equalizers." we WIa
ell you that you are trying to array the.
whites against the blacks and to kindle the
lame of a war of races, In which neither
pushing womanhood or prait'ing infancy
would be spared If you say I" the ban OF
ocietv should be placed upon the Southern
adcal VIPER we will respond that you
deserve to die at the hands ofthe public eN-
cutioner for your treason and for the blood z.
If murdered men which cries out against
tou from the ground We implore you,
hen, in the name of peace, not to go ad us
" YOUR taunts until the fearful scenes of the
,ast, which we would willingly let die, are
gain bright and burning in our mem cries
We are in earnest when we say we do not
lesire coniscation. Above all things. we
would deplore seeing it made an is ,ue in
North Carolina. No speaker in the late
Raleigh Convention ook ground in ia vor OF
t. Republicans all over the State are deny
NC that they favor the measure except as
adj necessity Those who are most in terest-
d in preventing any agitation of the ques-
ion, are those who are constantly arpiDg
lpon it. The result may be that, before
hey are aware. they will have spru ng the
question, and the State will be vocal with
he discussion on its merits. Again, we do
lot desire confscation. Judge US on this
" our words and our actions. We would
ct the furious passions, which it would
ngender and excite, sleep as they now
leep forever But then the war of the re-
,ellion shall not have been fought IN vain-
is fruits must be secured to the n;itlon--
The ideas which conquered then IN ust be
called in positive law. North-l iarollha
must be restored to the Union and b er vast
mineral commercial. manufacturing and
agricultural resources be opened up and de-
'eloped IF Instructions be placed in the
yay and confiscat;on be necessary to remove
hem, they will be so removed Then the
nation will demand it; then the people of
he State will demand it.
Gentlemen of the Republican Club, a
inal word with you.
We are on the ev of an ever tful political
ontest. The issues to be there decided are
raught with the deepest in teres.t to. the
uture welfare of the State and to our own
'eace and happiness as indivi duals. With
aspect to the State, it remains to be- seen
whether its destinies are to fall into the
lands of the conservative fossils of the dead
'ast, or whether they are to be shaped by
he men of the living present, the friends of
rogress and civilization; with respect to
as individuals, it remains to be
cen, whether success will vindicate our po-
tical action or whether defeat and disaster
viii make our names a Kissing and a by
verdi Such are the issues to be decided
we were so disposed there is no retreat.