Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-09-24
Reaction-Stand bv the Right,


Congress. which was not, in fact, Constitu-
tional Congress at all, but merely fraction of
Rump Radical Congress, adopted the Radical
plan OF Reconstruction, so-caled, and submitted
it for adoption or rejection to the vote of the
sutfragans of the Southern States, that this
journal earnestly maintained that both princi-
pie and expediency demanded that they should
reject it. Principle demanded it, because it
was IN violation of the Constitution which all
were ur,u the most solemn obligations to sup
pora maintain, and defend, and because it was
subyersiye of every principle of Constitutional
liberty. and designed for the humiliation and
degradation of the Southern people. Expe-
dieucy demanded it, because If the Southern
people should remain true to themselves, true
to the Constitutional rights of the whole peo-
nile of the country, North and South, cling to
the Constitution as the mariner clings to the
last plank of the shipwreck when night and
tempest close around him, and the people of
the North had not so degenerated as to have
lost all respect for Constitutional obligations,
all love for Constitutional liberty, and all re-
gard for justice and equality of rights, it would
follow, in the course of time, as surely as that
the day succeeds the night, and that reason
triumphs over passion, that reaction OF sentl
ment would take place in the minds Of the
Northern people-that, at first, it might be so
small as hardly to be perceptible, but that it
would continue to increase in force and swell in
volume till, like mighty food, it would over
flow the whole North, and overwhelm in right
eous ruin the usurping, despotic, oppressive,
unconstitutional Radical party. e4s
Entertaining these views and animated by
these hopes, we counselled our people to re-
main firm and steadfast, to exercise heroic for
titude and patient endurance, to suffer with
philosophic stoicism and christian resignation
such evils as might be forced upon them, nolens
particeps crinaiais to their own vile degradation
and base humiliation We exhorted them to
remain true and faithful to the pure and bright
record which illumines and illustrates their glo-
rious history-not to sacrifice, through the want
of moral courage, that enviable and glorious
fame which it required so much time, and the
exercise of so many noble and virtuous qualities
to attain.
We entertained and expressed the belief that,
however the people in other parts of the South
might act, the large majority of the white yo-
tiers OF great and noble Augusta, gallant little
Highland, and patriotic Bath would enter their
solemn protests against the unconstitutional
Radical plan of reconstruction by voting
against the Convention" called for the pur-
pose of carrying that plan into effect, and that,
too, by the voluntary action of the voters of the
South. Our confidence in the patriotism and
irmness of the voters of these counties is as
great now as it was months since, when we first
gave expression to it.
Believing that the restoration of the South
to constitutional rights was dependent upon
reaction in the sentiments of portion of the
Northern people, and believing that reaction
would certainly take place if the people of the
South should have the moral courage to plant
themselves firmly and steadfastly upon the
platform of their constitutional rights, and be-
lieving that reaction would be expedited by ex-
ton on the part of the fraction of the Rump
Radical Congress, we did not lament the pas
sage of the military bills which placed the
Southern States under the rule of bayonets, for
we felt that an appeal from under the bayonets
would be the strongest that could be made to
any liberty loving people, and that, if the peo-
pie of the North retained any just sense of the
value of liberty, and Of their own interests, such
an appeal would be needed, and Q wholesome
reaction would be the result That our views
were correct has been attested by every anthem
tic expression of opinion which has been given
in the Northern States since that time. No
election, municipal or State, has taken place in
any of the loyal States, so-called, since that
time, which has not confirmed the views we
entertained and expressed, and endeavored to
impress upon the minds of the Southern peo-
pie.
The reaction we anticipated has commenced,
and that, too, more rapidly than we had al
lowed ourselves to expect
Not long since we inquired of distinguished
Confederate General, whose heroism and pa
triotism are equalled by his piety and christian
virtues who had spent most of his time since
the war in the Northern and Western States
what were the views entertained by the friends
of the South in those States and what course
they desired the Southern people to pursue in
reference to reconstruction, and were gratifed
to learn from him that the friends of the South
in the North concur exactly with the views
maintained by this journal and desire the South
to act as it has recommended.
A friend who has had conference with one
of the ablest and most distinguished conserva
tive divines of the Empire State Of the North
informs us that that distinguished minister cor
roborates the statements made to us by the
Confederate General in reference to the views
and wishes of the friends of Constitutional lib
erty in the Northern and Western States
We have mentioned these facts for the en-
enlargement of those who are resolved to re-
main true to the principles of Constitutional
liberty, and who cannot be induced either by
persuasion or intimidation to make a voluntary
sale of their birthright for less than mess of
pottage. There may be some who, not con-
trolled by principle and acting upon mistaken
views of expediency, would advise a different
line of conduct 'Hearken not to the voice of
the charmer, charm he never so wisely" Be
true to the right.