The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-09-04

mado ON that gallant soldier who so long and
| so ably led tho illustrious First Corps OF tho
Army Of Northern Virginia. It has boon his
| hard fate, In peace as In war, to be wounded
by his own people. That charity which n hope
eth all things" and b natural disttust Of our
own Judgment, should mako us treat tho
convictions Of such men with at least kindly
and proper consideration. But for those
"who SEQ tho right, and yot tho wrong pur-
sue" who, while their country seems to be
struggling in the tbrocs Of death, consult
only their own base fears and low instincts
who, to save their vie property or stin moro
vilo persons, would degrade their Statc-%-who
bid us accept dishonor as tho prico of safcty-
language has no terms strong enough. to brand
their infamy. They arc as far beyond the
roach Of adequate punishment in this world
as they arc beneath tho soorn and contempt of
nll honorable men. ~. +, -.- ....,.. -.. ..
But to return TO tho consideration Of the
Reconstruction Acts, from which this digros-
| sion has led mo. What Inducements do tho
| advocates Of these measures hold out to us to
| accept themi Can they promise us peace p
| Look at Tennessee, and learn what kind Of
peace We are to have. Can thoy promise us
an acceptable State constitution--one that
viii not be intcrfored with by Congress Look
at Delaware, Maryland and Kentucky-.threo
"loyap sovereign Statcs-which arc 10 be put
On trial before n Star Chamber committee, on
the charge Of not having Republican constitu-
| tions. Can they promise n restoration Of the
Uniona The radical rulers expressly declare
| that thoir measures arc not " finalities." Can
they promise, oven that doubtful good; repre-
| sentation In the Congress OF the United States?
refer you TO kentucky, whose representation
are iguominiously rejected, because rebels TO
ted for them! But suppose that the State &C
cepts the terms proposed by the military bills
that she agrees to tho permanent and total
exclusion from her councils of tho intellect,
the experience, tho wisdom and tho patriotism,
which, In times past, gave her lustre that, in
stead Of these noble qualities and virtues, che
commits her political destinies TO the guidance
Of ignorance, inexpericnce, folly and RADICAL
ism that sho adopts n constitution disfran-
ohising forever the men who, in obeying her
command to defend hor, believed that they
were sewing God that sho
"Buys-ignominious purchasc-short rcposo,
With dying curses and the groans of those
That served and loved, and put in her their
| trust"
Suppose she docs all these things, and that
the radicals then graciously permit her to
send her representatives to Washington, from
what class will she select the men who are to
all the places oncc honored by Lowndcs, CAL
houn, McDufie, Preston, Chevcs, Hayne, ITu-
ger and their glorious compecrs7 Tho samo
body which has shown such wisdom and mp ~
nanimnity in framing these Reconstruction
Acts that arc to bring so many blessings in
their train, gives you tho answer in tho follow
ing Act Of Congress: .. ...-...
al Hereafter any person elected or ap-
pointed to any Office of power or profit under
the Government of tho United States, either
in tho civil, military OF naval departments Of
tho public service, excepting the President of
tho United Statcs, shall, before entering upon
the duties Of such offioc, and before being On
titled to any of the salary or ,othsrS Sesnolu-
ments thereof take and subscribe the follow
idg oath: ,., ....,
"I do sOlsmnly swear, that have never vol
UNFAIRLY bourne arms against tho United
| States since 1 have boon . citizen thereof
that haye voluntarily givon no aid, counte-
nance, counsel or encouragement to persons
engaged in armed hostility thereto; that
have noithcr sought nor accepted, nor attempt
ed to exercise, the functions of any office
whatever, under any authority or pretended
authority in hostility to the Unitod StaiesJ
that have Rotyielded q voluntary support to
any pretended Government, authority, power
or constitution within the United States, hoe
tile or ininical thereto. And I do further
swear, that 20 tho Best OF my knowledge and
ability, win suppoft and defend the Consti-
tuition Of the United States against all enc
mics, foreign and domestic that win beal
true faith and allegiance to the samej that
take this obligation freely, without any men.
tai reservation or purpose of evasion; and
that will won and faithfully discharge the
duties Of the Office on which ain about I,
enter so help mo God And any persor
who shall falsely take tho said oath shall b
guilty Of perjury, and on conviction, in addi
ton 10 the penalties now prescribed for tha
offence, shall be deprived of his Office, snC
renderOd incapable of ever after holding an
once or place under the United States"
Is representation In Congress so very dcsi
rabIe, that vo should send men there who cai
take that oath, rather than that We should re
main unrepresented longer2 Can the peopl
of the State trust those who could or woul
take itl For tho honor of our State, shoul
prefer that she should not be represented 4
} the halls Of Congress until her delegates ca
! enter them as free men, representing q sover
eign State, with all her dignity, equality an
, rights unimpaired." When that day comes
! thsfc may bo restoration Of tho Union 4
! fact, as as wcll ms in theory; whom North an
sosth, forgising tho past, even II they canno
, forget 1t, may meet as equals on some comuo