Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-03-21
Message of Governor sacary, Of Penn
sYIlnllin.

The following message from Gov. Geary
to the Legislature relative to the call of North
Carolina for a National Convention to amend
the Constitution OF the United States, was
submitted or arch Int
ExEorr :. CHA4BEH, HARRISBURG,
March "A. 1867.
TO The Senate and House of Representa-
tives ofthe Commonwealth IF fcnnsyt-
Vania.
GENTLEMEN: A letter dated 9Th inst has
Just been received from the Hon. Jonathan
Worth, Governor OF North Carolina, cover
ing set of resolutions adoped by the Legis-
laiure of that District, both of which, ac-
cording to his request, are herewith trans
mtted to you.
The object of the resolutions is to invite
"all the Statcs--Norih, South, East and
West"-t0 a National Convention, for the
purpose OF " proposing, in exact conformity
with the Contribution of the United States,
such amendments TO the Constitution that the
result will be such mutUdt concessions AZ
will lead to restoration OF our former happy
relations.
Under ordinary circumstances | would be
satisfied TO simply submit this coinmunica-
ton TO the Legislature without comment ;
but in this instance the occasion seems I +,
demand something more. am by no means
insensible to noble spirit OF c0nct SsiOn and
forbearance necessary to mpart vitality 10
our national existence; and, therefore, in
deliberating upon this important subject,
would recommend that local feelings and
preiudices he merged in a patriotic drtermi
nation to promote the public welfare. But
when we reflect that the people OF North
Carolina, inviting this assembly, are not in
full communion with the loyal States; that
the. have been Tor many years IN the habit
OF looking with great indifference upon the
national interests and ot iolerating disloyul-
ty; that throughout the thrilling and san
culinary war of the Rebellion they used their
utmost efforts to destroy the Constitution and
the Union, and to establish hostile govern
ment Of their owns that they have recently
refused to ratity the mild and wholesome
amendments to the Constitution that Con
gress by the passage of the reconstruction
act has made a salutary provision for their
future military government, and for that oi
the other refractory districts lately engaged
in rebellion; is not the presumption with
which these unrelentamt Rebels and suliu-
gated traitors now ask for 'muiBtlf cOnces
Sons surprisingg The people OF Pcnnsyl-
vanla have always been loyal to the Govern
mcnt, true to the Constitution and laws OF
the nation, and have stood in the forein0s;
ranks Of the defenders OF the Union. They
have no concessions to make, certainly none
to those who have waged Il reasonable war,
and who have been conquered at the point oi
tle bayonet. The doctrine is certainly abhor-
rent that defeated treason should nsll the 10y
nj men OF this country TO meet them upon
equal terms in convention 10 amend The Con
slilution they repudiated and attempted to
destroy. The guilty failure Of those men has
assigned them toa far different task-sub-
mission to the terms of the eonquerurs, and
obedience to that law which we all hey.
While Pennsylvania has no concessions Ia
make, her people, desiring speedy just, and
proper REIMBURSEMENT Of all the States in The
Union, earnestly bcseech the citizens Of
North Carolina, and of all the Southern
States, to return without delay to the benign
influences of the Government while yet the
terms of such II return are easy, and not to
wait for more severe conditions, and, per
haps, for more serious punishment.