Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-01-10
HOW DO We STAND?

~ ~ ooh8iesS. the southern people are
anxious to have the Gordian knot severed
and all suspense as to their future condition
removed It's one of the peculiar traits
OF the feline race to tantalize and torture
Its unhappy victims until they prefer death
to continuance of their fearful suspense.
So with the Radicals in Congress: they
could have as easily consummated their re-
evolutionary schemes at the last session of
Congress as they could in two years; and
yet, instead of doing SO, they have spent
their time in bullying aad tantalizing an
oppressed and submissive people, who are
not only unrepresented in Congress, but
have no means of defence against the
assaults of their accusers. AS the pres
ent session will expire on the 18th Of next
March, it is probable that we shall have
all suspense removed by some decisive ac-
ton within the next six weeks. We shall
konw whether we are fish, flesh, or good
red herring"-whether we are in or out
of the Union-or whether we shall be ter
fltorlalized, blotted out, annihilated.
During the holidays several members of
Congress, among whom was Senator Wade
of Ohio. made tour through the South,
ostensibly for the purpose Of ascertaining
the real condition of the people. They
were everywhere treated with marked re-
spect, and speeches were made by them
at several points, in response to the calls
from the people. The speech of Senator
Wade at Memphis was probably the best
exposition of the intentions of Congress
toward the South. He. said IL tell
you Congress did get up certain stated
principles at the last session with great
unusual deliber alton that they were care
full in every word and every letter that
bespoke the sentiment They appealed
from the enuncation of that sentiment to
the people for their approval or disapproval,
and the people, with one united voice, have
come up and said that what we have do1e
is right. | say to you there is no hope
that Congress will recede one inch from
what they have done This I say to you,
not for the purpose of stirring up your
passions, because if it most be so, as fair
antagonists, We will not deceive you in
anything. We think, sirs, that what we
did last winter was right; you have not
asked the question. [ do not speak of the
people of Tennessee who are entirely out
of this controversy. They have joined
their fortunes to the old government; [
know that they will not recede from it
There are other States that. without consi-
deration have thrown the doings of Goa
gress to the winds: are they calculating
to make other terms? You have not
called on us for other terms, but throwed
them aside as utterly worthless. And in
my Judgment, sirs, while I will assure YOU
that every man in the North is as anxious
tor this Union as any man can possibly lie,
we regret it as much as you can possibly
regret it, circumstances which for time
suspended our relations We ardently
hope that it may be resumed again upon
the principles of right, justice, liberty and
equality"
These are doubtless the sentiments Of
the radical majority in Congress. They
will require the Southern people to adopt
the constitutional amendment, and to con-
form their legislation TO the principles
enunciated in the acts now pending before
Congress. We must accept these meas
urcs or reject them. If we adopt them,
those who participated in the rebellion will
acknowledge their guilt and be their own
.executioneers. If we reject them, they
will be forced upon us, ,oIsas sole,ss, and
We shall lose our heads under tie eongrcs-
sional guillotine.
"A public meeting of the citizens of
Page county was held in Luray. on the
oath day of December, at which the fol-
lowing resolutions were passed:
mn