Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-06-04

"a
No one who reflects can mistake the purpose
of the Radical party-the sole purpose which
they have in vieW-and to accomplish which
they are attempting to move heaven and earth
They have been influenced in their recent afro
cous. barbarous legislation much more by the
hopes of continuing and perpetuating their
power in the government, and their existence
as party, than by the love for the negro, or
wrongs on the Southern people. If their pur-
pose had been solely revenge, they could have
instituted all over the country, prosecutions for
treason. reason and by military commissions or negro
juries have brought any prominent man to the
gallows. For two or three years they waged
war against the Southern States without at
tempting to interfere with slavery or raising
finger to relieve the poor African from his
thraldom. 1t was only when they found that
the ''Great Rebellion" could not be otherwise
suppressed, and that they could successfully
use our slaves against us, that they declared
them free, and enlisted them in their armies =
This was new element, and most powerful
one which they brought into the contest. By
it they increased their forces 200 900, and great
ly weakened the resources of the Southern
States. They cared nothing for the negro, ex-
cept to see him slaughtered in battle instead Of
their own soldiers. This was the extent of their
love and philanthropy for the African race
nothing more, nothing less 1t is supposed
that 100000 Of this unfortunate people, who
were happy and contented slaves, perished du-
ring the war by disease, hunger, cold, exposure
and neglect, or were killed in battle. And no
candid or impartial man can say that the con-
dltlon OF the survivors, as a whole, has been
benefited. Time will prove that their destiny,
as free race in the Southern States, is eXtinc-
ton.
A new vision has now broke upon the wicked
hopes and purposes of the Radical Congress.
They think, by giving universal suffrage to the
negro, they will be able to Radicalize the South
ern States. With this aim, the military bill
was passed, destroying the States, disfranchi-
sing leading public men and enfranchising the
negro. They were afraid to take so bold step
in lnfamy and in violation of all constitutional
rights before the election, last fall, in the North
ern States. Had they done so, they would have
been deposed in all these States where the ne
gro is not allowed to vote. The elections in
Connecticut, this spring, prove this fact. Large
Democratic gains in all the municipal elections
North give evidonce Of the truth Of this asser-
ton. Kentucky has just swept the Radical
party out Of that State. Everywhere we hear
OF a reaction in favor of constitutional liberty.
1t we will have patience, and bear our wrongs
like Christians and patriots, our deliverance
will come; but, for Gods sake, do not let us
ourselves rivet the chains on our own hands
In order to Radlcalize the South, and stir up
antagonism between the two races, and set
them to cutting each others throats, Republl-
can emissarles, black and white, great and small,
are travelling all over the Southern States, and
making the most incendiary speeches, organi
zing secret societies, and forming tpnion
Leagues" Senator Wilson, Of Massachusetts,,
gave the people Of Charleston the other week
specimen of his tactics and political strategy
Nothing can be more diabolical, or less likely
to promote the true interests of the black man,
than such course. 1t will, however, go very
far towards estranging the freedmen from us,
and building up a strong and powerful Radical
party in the Southern States. IF left alone,
the negro would act in harmony with his for
mer owner. 1t is his interest to do SO. But
of this there is now little hope. Every day, by
means OF this Radical agitation and misrepre
sentation, he will be less and less under the in
fuence of his true friends and neighbors. At
present, out of the towns and villages the ne
gro cares nothing about his right Of suffrage,
and knows nothing. Unless influenced by bad
men, he will not trouble himself to register or
vote. This, however, will not always be the
case 1t, therefore, We are wise In the coming
election, true to ourselves, and have the true
interests Of the negro at heart, we may defeat
the call OF a convention, and save the State
from Radicalism and agrarianism, and war of
races in the future. 1t never can be done at
forwards.
1t is said that the adoption of the military
bill, with all It's consequences, IS not more dis
honorable than what the Southern States have
already done by abolishing slavery and adopt
ing the constitutional amendment On that sub
ject That is Q strange assertion. What dis
honor is there In setting your slaves free? Can
there be any? But there is dishonor in placing
yourself under the control and government of
those slaves after they are made free. The sur
render Of Lee and johnson was an acknowledg-
ment that slavery was abolished. The Federal
armies were here TO enforce it. The slaves,
too, had become so much demoralized that al
most every one was willing to give up the in
stitution and no one now desires to see 1t re-
stored. But is this an argument for giving up
self government, republican principles, consti,,
tutional liberty, the rights of the States, and
placing ourselves at the mercy of our freed
men? When South Carolina abolished sla-
very, she had an assurance, too, that she would
be forthwith restored to the Union, with all
her constitutional rights unimpared. Now, we
| are told, after all this humiliation and degra-
dation, if South Carolina will Radicalize herself
and elect Black Republicans, they may be ad
mitted to their seats in Congress Who wishes
to be admitted into the Union on these terms.
No act or deed yet done has sullied the fair es-
CuCcneOn OF the falmoCJO CCatc LII Is 10 De
hoped that none will be in the future.
I have been charged with inconsistency in
opposing the reconstruction of the Union. [
am not opposed to reconstruction. No man in
South Carolina, or the United States, more
earnestly desires to see the Union restored as it
was before the war. 1t is the nearest and dear
est wish Of my heart But will not dshonor
myself or my State, or bring ruin on my coun-
try, to obtain such Union as is now proposed.
| have been charged, too, with inconsistency in
going with my State after she seeded. ] can
only reply by saying that my notions of duty,
honor and patriotism differ widely from those
of nv accusers. It is true that [ was a Union
man, and did all that could to preserve the
Union. For thirty years L defended it, with
my pen, with my speech, and with my right
arm. But when South Carolina seeded from
that Union, I said to Gov. Means, who desired
to know the course [ intended to take, 'That
the State was going to the devil, and [ was 60
ing with her. From that day to the end of
the war, was as Jealous and as earnest in her
defence as any son she had. ! regarded it my
duty, imposed by honor and patriotism, to aid
$S, 00O 600 of my feeling citizens, who had uni
ted. whether wisely or unwisely, in their at
tempt to establish that secret right of selfgov-
ernment proclaimed in the Declaration of In
dependence. South Carolina was the land of
my nativity the home of my family, kindred
and friends. In her bosom reposed the bones
of nv forefathers. and | should have been
traitor to her interests, honor and glory, had |
raised parraeidal arm against my native State.
A rebel. reluctant and unwilling, [ did become
NT IL 49,, IN 1En 4ro,tor I nv,