Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-11-29
Letter from Virginia.
RICHMOND. Va. Nov. 20.


political issues, but to give an express
sion of loyal feeling in the south ari-
sing from actual knowledge of affairs
and feelings here. Virginia in her,
first great struggle for human liberty
sent greetings northward of her loyal
triumph, flushed with the hope that
traitors are to be disarmed and with
the hope of cheering response; but
10, what a response What does it
mean? Why those reduced MAORI
ties in the recent elections north p
| do not understand the meaning ex-
pressed therein unless it be upon col
lateral issues. Is it an expression of
the people against manhood suffrage
Is it to honor treason, or is it against
the present congress struggling with
{. traitorous executive? The hope of
the loyal people of the south rests in
the trmness of congress. Congress
mast not back down or retract a single
act, or retrace a single step, but stand
firm as the everlasting hills until the
south is fully restored under loyal
suffrage and secure in loyal hands,
May congress, supported by the 10y
atty OF the nation, never, neuer, NEVER
talter or hesitate for moment in the
loyal and just policy of reconstruction
marked out. Should it do so we of
the south are lost, the republican par
ty in the south will be crushed, loyal
men thrown hel pless into jeopardy,
and the country again cast into the
hands of rebels and traitors. By the
recent elections in the southern states
the colored electors fairly and clearly
demonstrated to any impartial and I'M
prejudiced observer that they are not
only worthy to be free, but worthy of
the elective franchise, and by it their
rights and liberties can only be secu-
red. 1t is idle to say that one class
of people can legislate for another
class and give them a just code of
laws, at least if the one class can in
any way be made subservient to the
other; and further the right to vote is
the dearest boon to every American
citizen, for thereby his liberties can
only be protected and made secure,
hence why deny to four millions of
our fellow citizens, by nature as intel
llgent as the masses of our people, that
sacred right which we ourselves would
surrender only with life. Molly did
the coIOred men in the elections that
have already been held in the south
cast their first sutfrages, regardless of
the threats, fraud and intimidation i'm
posed upon them by the arrogant and
Overbraring rebels. Almost to a man
did they go for liberty, casting their
votes with manifest intelligence and
meaning, astonishing the rebels and
surprising the most sanguine expecta
tons OF their friends. Their conduct
: was quiet and manly and they deserve
every praise.
Universal suffrage does not near
negro supremacy, but equal rights be
fore the tar, and through that medium
we would see the government of the
rebel states preserved in the hands of
loyal men, let them be black or white
and without which it can neUer be &C
complished. The rebels are to-da,
more bitter than they were two year.
ago, more emboldened and outspoker
I with sentiments of treason and sine,
the elections, more oppressive upoI
the freedmen. The loyalists of tn,
south loudly call upon the loyal PEG
pie of the nation to oppose to the bit
ter end their restoration to power
Has the north so soon forgotten tina
hellish war of four long years brough
: on by traitors and democrats, sustain
ed and nourished by them, and de
nounced, discouraged and pronounce,
failure on the part of the fedora
government by them? Has the mort
| say lost sight Of all this that it nov
: wants to force these minions of he'll
sailing under the colors of a corrup
and reasonable democracy, led b
!, traitors, gamblers and prize fighters
into power to again rule and contro
our government, to repudiate our ma
tional debts, to pay the rebel debt, t
pension rebel soldiers, restore thei
property and power and in fine t
. make treason honorable I?
' What can the people be thinkin
: about il they would open the avenue
! to power and office for men who's
hearts still burn with the fires of tres
.. son and rebellion, and whose hand
are still reeking with the blood o
4 loyal thousands slain In defence O
our flag and country. Such woul
make those martyrs to liberty and on
= dear country rise from the ashes O
: their bloody graves to weep wit