Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-05-24

To demonstrate the lunacy Of the Con-
gr~essional legislation on the subject Of
reconstruction, we stated, a few days
ago. - a proposition Of the jas gentiunlr
the law common to all men Of sll coun'
tries, that the moment the Congress o.
the United States established 5 despotiC
government over the conquered people
OF the Southern States, 1t released the
people of those States from all obligations
Of duty, loyalty and allegiance, snd they
became at once invested with the right
Of resisting the government so imposed
on them, if they could do so successfully.
This was simply TO say that when the
United States chose to consider these
ststes as conquered enemies, and to
govern them by a Military DespOt-
ism. they substituted the law OF
Force for the law Of Contract, and
could claim nothing more, Of loyalty or
allegiance, a. a right, than any other
can claim Of the conquered
or OF those whom he despoiIs of their
liberty. Obedience, in every such case,
is no longer a matter Of duty, but merely
Of policy or fear.
II these are the consequences Of the
legislation Of Congress, the mOnstrous
character Of that legislation is most
signally demonstrated.
Now we reiterats the statement Of
these consequences. We do not say
that the people Of the South ought to act
upon the principle that they are no
longer required to obey IS a duty, and
that they no longer owe any loyalty or
allegiance; because we do not yet believe
that there is no other remedy than resis-
lance, for these evils, aud not merely
because the people have no power of
successful resistance.
OF course, if we are correct in the
legal consequences we deduce, the effect
of secession, together with the legisla-
ton that succeeded it, and that which
has succeeded the war, has been a COM
pyste excisiou Of ten Southern States
from the Union, by the absolute release
Of all their people from all those obliga-
lions, which not existing, they are
merely foreigners.
We propose to prove that the PROPOSE
lions we laid down are correct.
HOBBIES says: "The obligations ofsub-
iects to the sovereign is understood to
last a. long, and no longer, than the
potrer lasteth, by which he is GbJe to.
protect them for the right men have
by nature to protect themselves, when
none else can protect them, can by no
covenant be relinquished, The owe
dignity is the soul Of the commonwealth
which D c departed from the body, the
members do no more receive their mo-
tion from it. The end Of obedience is
PROTECTION ! which, wheresoever mar
seeth it, nature applieth his obedience to
that power, and his endesyour 10 main
tain it,"
II the obligation Of the subjects lasts
no longer than the sovereign retains the
power to protect them, it can not last
after he refuses to do ii, and abandons
them to the freaks and eApriceso Of military
tyrants. Their right by nature to pro-
tsct themselves exists even more strongly
in that case, than where the sovereign,
himself unfortunate, Is comparatively
disensbled 10 protectthsm. In thatcase,
even, they may seek other protection.
Their King, restored, and his misfortunes
ended, might, in that case, again claim
their allegiance but the sovereign who
has once Outlawed his people by setting
over them 8 military despot and making
ID will the sole law, has abdicsted his
s-overeignty over that people, and can
Ever again reclaim it. 1t does not need
add that he is utterly unworthy Of it.
v.mFL saws When q Sovereign,
-aoating TO himself the absolute dis
- of q people whom he has con
rnsrsd. attempts to reduce them to
SIavsry he perpstuAtes the state Of war
c,v-aas that Nation and himself"
Ia limited States assert the right to
Inc .,ssb military despotisms over the
%"~t,, with absolute power to AoFogste
eou'- close all Courts, annul contracts,
81 statutes, create, define and pun
en@cs ssss-in short, concentrating az
ish Ae~-slatfve, Executive and Judi
power, MILITARY district c0mposea
= tbrss stsss IN the hanas o