The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-02-02

HJl0H ol blaVeFy, H1eu, 1rreV0caDle, ana
Constitutional. ge -
Amnesty for the past had been repeat
edly promised TO the South; yet how many
Of her citizens are still, lin the brotherly
language Of the Radicals, only "unpar-
doncd rebels,". whilst her most bonored
and best beloved son languisIes in feI-
on's cell, denied the sacred right guaran-
teed by the Constitution Of "speedy
trial BY an impartial jury" The South
ern States were to be recognized as equal
members Of the Union. And even in the
imposition Of taxes there is no equality;
for the cotton of the South has to bear a
heavy discriminating tax for the benefit
Of tho North All the righas Of the
South were to be held SACRED. She has
only the right to live and to labor, per-
haps to complain, thouge to do 50 may be
treason.
~ have placed before you the record
Of the South and that Of the North. Let
the world decide which is entitled to hon.
og-which TO shame. ! have drawn the
dark colors, but alas Ia too true ones,
the condition Of our country, and / now
turn to tho discussion what should beour
policy. In the anomalous condition in
which We are placed, it. is q matter of
great difficulty to mark out the proper
course for US to pursue, but there are
certain cardinal principles Of which we
should neTor lose sight. The first of
these is, that as wo accepted the terms Of
fered by the North, in good faith, We are
bound by every dictate Of hopor to abide
by them fully and honestly. i They are
none the less binding on u because the
dominant and unscrupulous party at the
North refuse to accord to us our jgst
rights! Let US, at least, prove ourselves
worthy Of the rights we claim: let US set
an example of good faith, and we can
then appeal with double effect to the JUS
tice and magnanimity Of the North.
These virtues | would fain hope, are
not totally extinct among that people, and
there are brave men there who are bat
ting for justics, for constitutional liberty,
for the equality OF all the States, and for
the rights of the South. The only hope,
not alone for the South, but FOR freedom
itself, on this continent lies In the success Of
this party. We are their natural allies,
and would sacrifice much, where honor
and principle are not invaded, and then I
would net yield jot or TITLE, 10 etrength-
en- their hands in the great contest,
which Is soon TO decide the fate Of consti-
tutional Liberty and Republiean Institu-
tions Of the United States. The Presi-
dent Of the United States has lent the
great influence which his high position,
his strong intellect, his firm purpose, and
his indomitable viii, give, to this new
conservative party, aud 20 his support
every Southern man should rally cordi.
ally.
; We may, porhapz, feel he has not gone
to the extent of his power, or of our ex
pectaticns, in carrying out his policy t.
. It's Legitimate ends, but we cannot forge
that he has been the only bulwark Il
stand between our unhappy country and
! certain, irretrieva5le and everlasting ruin
, But for him the horrors VIC endured dur
ing tie war would have been far sur
passed by those Of peace. And though
differing with him in many points, / cheer
fully accord to him the highest praise fol
the brave aud patriotic stand he has IA
ken In defense Of the South aud Of the
/, Constitution. There Is one other poin
! on which there should be no Inisunder
standing az to our position, no loop OF
q which TO hang possible misconstructiol
as to our views, and that is the abolition
of slavery. | have already intimate'
that the mode by which the North secure
0 the acquiescenee of the South in the con
; summation of this purpose was breac'
J. of faith on her part.
0fall the inconsistencies of which th
/ North has been guilty-and their name
i legion-none is greater than that b
S which she forced the Southern States
4 while rigidly excluding them from tn
y Union, to ratify tho Constitutional AmenC
G ment abolishing slavery, which the
e could do legally only as States of ths
II Union. But the deed has been done, an
l, for ono, do honestly declare that
/. never wish to see it revoked. Nor do
II believe that the people of the Sout
J. would now remand the negro to sla'
" eryif they had the power to doso III
lr questioned. Under our paternal car
II from mere handful he grew to be
% mighty host He came to US heathel
20 we made him christian. Idle, ayiciou
10 savage in his own country; in ours he b
10 came industrious, gentle, civilized. L
s. his history as slave be compared her
Is after with that which he will make f
to himself as freedman, and by the fesu
of of that comparison we are willing to
lie judged. A great responsibility is liftt
:" from our shoulders by this emancipatio
g and we willingly commit his destiny to b
ly own hands, hoping he may prove himse
It. worthy of the new position in which
gs has been placed. Asa slave he wasfait
at full to us as freedman let US treat hi
as friend. Deal With him frank
p Justly, kindly, and my word for it he Y
to reciprocate your kindness, clinging to |
an old home, his own country and his form
g master" If you wish to SEQ him confer
sf- ed, industrious, useful, aid him in his
id fort to elevate himselfin the scale of ci'
th ilization, and thus iit him not only to enj
N. the blessings of freedom, but to oappreoia
20, its duties The essential points, then,
he the policy wc should pursue, are, it .
til pears to me, these: That all the oblis
m tions we have entered into should be f
IN filed to the letter, keeping our faith
Ily clear that not q shadaw of dishonor c
Dir fall upon usy that we should susta
dslMr. johnson cordially in his policy, g
in ing our support to that party Which rail-
"a around him that :. We should. yield