The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-07
VIEWS OF HON. d NJ. BARR1NaER.

ringer. to a friend in Mecklenburg county. N. c.:
| RALEIGH. April 9th, 1867.
MY DEAR SIR You ask my opinion about
the present aspect Of public affairs, and what we
ought to do in our sad political condition. Great
domestic bereavemeDts and severe trials of vari-
Gus kinds, have precl1ded any active participa-
ton, On my part in political affairs for a long
time; and since the war have withdrawn more
than ever. But have not been unconcerned
spectator of the great events which have trans
pired and are still being enacted in the progress
of this mighty revolution. both 10 our government
and country. / was in Washington recently
when the Supplemental" Act was discussed and
passed in Congress to carry into effect the
measures which had been previously adopted for
the ''reconstruction' of the Southern States
From a former acquaintance with leading mem
bers of that body, had facilities of intercourse
of Congress. of every shade of political opinion
from all sections. My judgment then a0as. and
Is, that 1t IS best and Uisest for people to
conform promptly. fully and faithfully soiM the
terms Of the acts Of Congress for reconstruction and
re-admission to Congressional representation.
1t is useless, practically. now to inquire why
this long and fatal delay in the Congressional
plan, or why different policy was not pursued
| "a policy of prompt and cordial reconciliation,
which enforced with frmuess and a spirit of mag
nanimity, would have consolidated long ago,
we think the hearts and hands of every section
Of the South in support of the Constitution of the
| United States to which the mass of our people
were never enemies. The North. however. took
different view and course. The results of the
war made them the "masters of the situation"
and the arbiters of our fortunes for the time
being. There is no sef-humiliation in quiet,
dignifed and manly submission to our fate
We not now called upon, as in the matter of
the Howard Constitutional Amendment" sub
mitted to US recognized States OF the Union,
for adoption or rejection, voluntarily. to degrade
on host representative
the contrary, military organization is directed
to enforce. in effect these acts of Congress. and
State organizations are recognized only as pro-
| visonal and permssve. The only choice which
even the enfranchised have is to register their
names and cote on certain propositions for con-
ditional reconstruction. that will certainly be
adopted in some shape or other, by the many or
| the few. whether the great mass of the people
| participate in the work or not.
| NV advice. then. is for all to register who can.
and vote to carry into effect the plan of Congress,
however harsh and uni ust it may seem to US now.
| Let there be no hesitation. no sulenness. Oppo
sition is useless and may lead to much mischief,
and perhaps anarchy and further disaster. The
acts declare, in substance, that they to be
| fnaIitu. Let the South act in good faith, and
i let not its breach, if broken it be, rest
shoulders. The North will be responsible to the
civilized world, to impartial history and to the
unmistakable judgment of a scrutinizing and
unprejudiced posterity for the manner in which
they avail themselves or tnelf success III
bloody conflict of arms. Let US do our part to
lift the dark pail and terminate the fatal uncer-
tainty which hangs over our future. We want
quiet, and peace and plenty. We want capital
and population and labor. We want restoration
of our exhausted resources. There be
state of blightiDg uncertainty to the future.
We want settled civil government in the States.
and representation in Congress. We never
be we were. The government itself is being
rapidly changed. But we may save something
of liberty and Constitutional rights, We may,
at least, have peace and competence aud hope
for prosperity and happiness in the future. There
is no dishonor escutcheon. Misfortunes
and even mistakes have brought disgrace.
Trials have ennobled US. We have submitted in
good faith, with becoming manhood. The hon
orable and good among our recent foes in the
field would not have US act otherwise. We would
not be good citizens of the United States to be
otherwise Let US continue to prove ourselves
true to our pledges of honor and sacred obliga-
tons. We may and, l think, will be recon-
structed and re-admtte6 through the provisions
of these acts of Congress. No practical benefit
can be expected from the action of tn" Supreme
Court. whatever its ultimate decision may be- if,
indeed, any ever be given on these political
questions. But the good men of the South,
though largely disfranchised, may still prevent
! much mischief and misrule and perhaps violence
which may follow the counsels end efforts of the
bad and of mere party -men. There is need
for party strife and hatred. Are not our inter-
ests the same! Have not suffered enough
together to make US ''brethren'' indeed Why
have parties now, either among the whites or the
colored people The political and civil rights of
the latter are obliged to be secured in the funda-
mental uW. whoever may win in the political race.
The South is their home. and their Interests are
identified with ours. We all want peace with
one another. Do men object that the acts of
Convention assembled under these measures of
Congress would be illegal and unconstitutional
The vote of the people validate what was
uncertain. even illegal, in the beg inning. We
can only ..subnit' or '.reSiSt. We have shown
how can do both, with manhood, an endurance
glorious elf-sacrifce and magnanimty that
have challenged the admiration of the world.
II then submit-as submit we must-let US
do so as cheerfuy can, and let all those
who can. take part in the efforts for RECONSTRUCT
ton. Once in Congress and recognized there as
in the Union, equal footing with the
other States, and can maintain our rights such.
Let every body then. who can, Il cannot} under
the recent acts of Congress. register as soon as
he can and be prepared to vote for the best aud
wisest men to meet in Convention to frame anew.
fundamental law under which the people of our
good old State may hope to live and prosper from
generation to generation
From my knowledge of the Military Com
mander, Gen. Sickles, whose duty it is to direct
and provide for the registration of voters in the
Carolinas. have no doubt that full ana fair OPP
portanities will be given to all who entitled
and desire to be registered and vote. And
earnestly repeat that no one who can vote ought
to neglect this duty Of registration in the present
momentous crisis in affairs.
remain, very truly yours.
: d. NJ. BARRINGER-
s