The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-04-03

Wnen contemplate tue hiiiOus W Uu'
fellow. citizens Of the South, with no alter
native left but to impose upon themselves
this fearful and untried experiment Of com.
.plete negro enfranchisement and white dis
banchisement. it may be almost as COM
plete. or submit indefinitely to the rigor Of
martial law. without single sttributs oi
freemen. deprived Of all the sacred gna-
ranties of our Federal Constitution. aud
threatened with even wprse wrongs. II any
worse are possible, il seems to me their
condition is the most deplornbe TO which
any people can be reduced. 1t is true that
they have been engaged in rebellion. and
that their object being a separation OF the
States and dissolution Of the Union. there
was an obligation resting upon every loyal
citizen to treat them ~ enemies, and 10
wage war against their cause.
lnaexibly opposed to any movement i'm
psriling the integrity Of the Government, !
did not hesitate to urge the adoption OF all
measures necessary for the suppression Of
the insurrection. Alter a long and terrible
struggle the efforts Of the Governments were
trium phantly successful, and the people ol
the South. submitting to the stern arbitra.
mnei, Welded forever the issues Of the con-
test. Hustilities Terminated SOON after /
became my duty to assume the responsible.
tiles of the Chief Executive Officer Of the
Republic, and at once endeavored to re.
press aud conlrole the passions which oul
civil strife had engendered, and, no longel
regarding these errlng millions as enemies
again acknowledged them as our friend
aud our countrymen. The war had accom-
plished its objects. The nation Vas saved
and that seminal principle Of mischie
which, from the birth of the Government
had gradually but inevitaly brought on tn,
rebellion, was totally eradicated. Then
1 il seemed to rue, was the auspicious time 4
commence the work Of reconciliation then
when the people sought once more ou
friendship aud protection. | considered j
our duty generously to meet them in th
spirit Of charity aud forgiveness. and t
conquer them even more efectually by tn
magnanimIty of the nation than by tn
force OF its arms. vet believe that if ti
policy Of reconciliation then inaugurated
aud which contemplated an early restora
! ton Of these people to all their politics
rights, had received the support OF Con
gress, every one Of these ten States, an,
f all their people, would at Ibis moment b
, fast anchored in the Union, and the grea
: work which gave the war all il sanction
aud made il Just and holy, would have bee
accomplished. Then. over all the vast an
fruitful regions Of the South pence aud il
4 blessings would have prevailed. while no
{ millions are deprived Of rights guarantee
. by the Constitution TO every citizen, al
: alter nearly two years Of legislation, I'm
II themselves placed under an absolute mill
i. tary despotism. +" A military Repsblic-
Y Government formed on meek elections an
supported oaly By the sword" was nearly
/, quarter of century since pronounced B
] Daniel Webster, when speaking OF u
c South American States, as "a m0yeme
E indeed, but a retrogade and disastro'
'r mo, ement, from the regular aud old !
e shoned moLarchical SYSTEM aud be al
!. ded:
i elf men should enjoy the blessings
i republican government, they must goyel
]. themselves by reason, BY mutual couns
II and consultation, by a sense and feeling
). general interest, and By the acqulescen'
Of the minority in the will Of the Inajorlt
n properly expressed and above all, the mi
% tary must be kept, according TO the bill
J. rights, in strict subordlnation 10 the ci'
i authority. Wherever this lesson Is .
IN both learned and practiced, tnere can be
a political freedom. Absurd. prepostero'
d is it, scoH and satire on Tree forms
4 constitutional liberty, for forms Of COVER
J. ment to be prescribed BY military leade'
re and the right Of suffrage TO be exercised
.. the point Of the sword"
III confidently believe that time "
e. come when these States will again occu
As their true positions in the Union. Ihe d
III riers which now seem so obstinate M
yield TO the force Of an enlightened q