The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-02-16
, wHITED SEPULCHRE.


,rqp,ent OF success, and it is sometimes
unfortunate that in political contests it
has become an established rule, that the
roptending parties should enunciate the
principles they propose to maintain, and
,r least, shadow forth their plaE of op-
,rstions- Accepting the address of the
Democratic Club of Helena as the expo
nsnt of the purposes of that party in
the coming congressional campaign, we
look 10 it for a synopsis of the strategic
movements Of the party, and the tactics
they will adopt in the field. In perus-
ING this document there is apparent the
intention to raise the issue of recon-
sfructiou, as the main point of action.
The CIV will be 1.-The disloyalty of the
United States Congress" and their argu-
ments will be in favor of universal amnes-
" as the only true method of harmonic
IGN contending interests. Here are the
rues given in the " address"
This most gigantic war was declared and
uaged by the government for the purpose
avoWsd, time after time, In the most unmis-
taxable and solemn manner, of suPpresSing the
rebellion, the enforcement of the laws, and
the restoration of the Union.
The great masses of the people are not now
prepared for the accomplishment of the pur-
poses Of secessionists by congressional legIs-
5tiou.
The people believe that the legislation of
Congress should be for the preservation, not
the destruction, of the Union.
The people do not believe that Congress
ought to force unnecessary and humilIatlug
conditions upon the Southern people. The
people are not radical when not influenced by
rsdical leaders.
Upon the first two assertions in the
first cue, Democrats and Republicans
will alike agree; upon the last they diff
fer. As the government during the re-
hellion was controlled by Republicans,
We claim that it never made any such
promise. 1t is a thing never admitted,
that the Union had been dissolved,
therefore it is an absurdity to talk of re-
storing it. The restoration promised
was the supremacy of law, where anar-
chy and disorder were endeavoring to
crush IT, Even the address admits
the intactness of the Union in the sec
ond quotation. Will the Gazette ex-
plain by what Legislation Congress has
ever attempted to- accomplish the pur-
pose of secessionists The howl is set
up that the constitution has been viola
ted in their action toward the Southern
States. and that il seeks to force unnec-
essAry and humiliating conditions upon
the Southern people, and to dissolve the
Union. Now we have too much respect
Tor the intelligence of the Democratic
Committee who drafted that address to
think for one moment that they believe
word of such nonsense. 1t is only a
dodge out of which to make political
capital. They know that the amend
mentS to the constitution were prepared
and submitted to the people of 0H the
states in perfectly Legitimate and con-
sututional manner; that the PROPOSE
tions made were the most magnanimous,
charitable and forgiving ever offered by
'onquerors to the conquered, and that
There never has been Congress since
The Republic has had an existence, con-
tanning so many members who on the |
led held of war have proven by deeds as
we'll as words, their devotion TO the |
Union and the flag of the free. Hear
what John c. Breckinridge says about |
ihe relative positions of the Government |
and the South:
He made no concealment of his opinions |
'5 feelings He said the South had attempt
~ Aareyolution. They had thrown everything /
& .Ito the contest. That they were more than |
-Gpped, they were subjugated and utterly |
.Ilhed- That by the law of nations and by 4
.ee AWs Of war they had no rights. They /
~ sIe az the mercy of the conQuerers. He said /
l-,se - me Dasnnulmity of the North was un- \
s4-ueled. The history of the world would \
= searched In vain TO discover such clemency I
=. 1s Sls part OF cOnquerers rs Congress offered /
~ sne South, after involving the government /
= s4eh terrible conflict. with so awful a
1llnce OF treasure and blood. He was as
soul,ned at the blindness and madness OF the /
SlSn -;SlI In not accepting the humane and mer-
- - provisions of the constitutional amend ]
lhere Is the honest convictions of one /
rs The leaders of the rebellion. The /
= apathy Of Northern Democracy for
ne Southern people is too much of the 1
crocodile order. Its evil effect during
,'e war Protracted the struggle and ad-
0''l deeper misery to their ruin. 1t is
80" adding to the difficulties of restoring
20 representation by profering