The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-24
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MEssRs EprToiss Having no other sob-
iect in view than the good of the people,
and seeing the folly of further efforts on the
part of those that are disposed to- counsel
and intensity opposition to the present plan
of restoration, I am honestly induced to
appeal to them to dissipate their past and
present prejudices, to accept the situation IN
good faith, and seize the opportunity now
offered to restore the State to the federal
Union il accordance with the congressional
reconstruction laws.
I need not revert to the history OF the
past to, prove to the mind of every sensible
man the necessity ofLpursuing such course,
as wise, reasonable, just and healthtul to the
great body polite ;~for it can not-b other
wise than conclusive to all, that the rebellion
has been successfully. overthrown, and that
the laws guaranty the conqueror the rights
to declare, and if needful, to compel COM
pliance with such terms as he may in his
wisdom see proper to impose. This right
has in no age ever been disputed.
Yet, although this great fundamental pre-
cedent of law stands recorded on the statutes
of every civilized nation as warning to evil
doors, the government in its great magma
nimity hasextendended mercy towards those
who raised the arm of rebellion, and has
borne with them and given them ample time
to repent and forget, and return with loyal
hearts to the government, instead of int1lct-
ing severe pains and penalties for their great
crime Its terms are just and liberal. The
executive branch of the government under
its proclamative prerogative presented its
plan of restoration, subject to the supervis-
ion of the legislative branch in its final
adoption. It was easy in its application, and
broad enough to have given the friends of
the rebellion every thing they could have
asked. The friends of the Union supported
and the friends of the rebellion rejected it,
and it failed This failure created the
necessity for action by the legislative branch,
the only rightful authority to settle the diff
Guilty. Its action was the article OF amend
ment to the federal constitution, which
measure was a compromise between the two
extremes to the controversy, and were the
most liberal terms ever made to defeated
rebellious people.
The friends of the rebellion with spirit
of defiance and contumacy towards the gov
eminent and its friends, refused to accept
those terms, and charged its authors with
usurpation, and of tlampling the constltu-
ton under foot. The loyal millions, who had
turned over their treasure to the govern
ment, and the brave men that had barred
their breasts to the cannon of thousand
battles to save the nation, beholding these
demonstrations, and seeing that the leaders
OF the rebellion we're adroitly seeking to
achieve through diplomacy what they had
failed to achieve by their armies, and there
by bring odium upon the Union arms and
the friends of the nation, demanded of
Congress to impose such additional terms as
would not only make the triumph of the |
Union armies honorable, but that would Sc
cure to the nation ample guarantees for its
future safety, and the fruits of a successful
triumph of principles, as we'll as justice to the
characters Of the loyal men South, both |
white and black. The issue is really politi-
cal precedence as reward for loyalty. This |
plan is before the people now. 1t is wise, |
liberal and safe. 1t is what every one should !
endorse who intends to bear allegiance to
the government in protecting and defending |
the perpetuity, us well as the prosperity of
the Union of the States. These terms can
be made final if the people will it. But if
rejected with supercilious, dictatorial tenn
per, it is already settled question that the
loyal element of the nation will never yield |
or concede any point, which will compro-
mize their honor, or that will bring disgrace
upon the Union armies, nor upon that gov
eminent whose policy IS Justice and equality
before the laws. Congress will never desc
crate the ashes of a martyred President or
strip the nation of a triumph so dearly pur-
chased nor bring odium upon the dead and
living heroes who crushed naughty rebellion,
by yielding to rebel sympathies and permit
ting that element to govern this nation, or
even one of the States. 1t can never do So
whilst the millions of loyal constituents
stand their backs laundering their voices
no! Until restoration is consummated Civ
ing full justice to the demands of loyal
people, military rule will continue-it must
continue, it is the only hope OF the nation
until the work of reconstruction is compile
ted, and the loyal men of the nation are in
full possession of the government in its new
established relations To accomplish this
desirable and peaceful condition of our ma
tional relations it will require nerve and a
steady frmness and close combination of
the friends OF the Union. Weak kneed,
skulking, cowardly men can not be trusted,
and all such should get out of the way. If
the present plan of restoration is defeated
by rebel influence over such two-faced men,
voice will be heard all over this land for
additional terms to be imposed terms, that
will efectually and finally break the last
joint of the very backbone of the present
smothered spirit of rebellion It must not
be played with any longer The issue being
made it must be successfully finished in the
interest and to the nations honor, and to the
saving and screening Southern loyalists from
the insulting taunts, and SCOTS of rebels in
future Let Cromwell marshal his hosts
but let Congress stand firm and the loyal
millions infiexibly united, and no fears may
he entertained for the success of the legisla-
tive branch in its supremacy over the
subject of reconstruction, or for the safety
of the republic, ;-slr r.-e.s. s..
-.. ,.,..-t..... For the Standard.