The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-01-25

State and her people. And speaking thus,
considering only the influence On our own
State and its institutions, [ say it is our
duty, even if the Kingdoms of the earth
were offered at that price, to say as was
said to the tempter of old, Get thee be-
hind me, Satan" Let us stand fast to our
integrity at every hazard-let US hold on to
the sound doctrine as delivered to us by our
fathers 1t is the ark Of our safcty-it is
the only hope of republican government. =
| do not conceal from myself that we have
been defeated, and that we may be defeated
often again yet | look with hope to the
future. The President is firm in his posi-
ton, and decided in his action. The Su-
preme Court Of the United States, true at
last to its ancient fame-true to the pur-
poses Of its creation-rising above the dc
tates of passion-above the behesis Of par
ty, has vindicated, in noble terms, the in
tegrity Of the Constitution. 1t has an
nounced the doom of military commissions
tor the trial of citizens, and set the seal Of
reprobation upon the pretexts Of military
necessity. At the election last Fall the
Democratic party po}led | 800, 900 votes out
of 4,000,0 900. A change Of fifty six per
cent. would have given us q majority. In
Pennsylvania, New York, and Indiana.
casting y votes in the electoral college, and
1000, 900 votes by the people, we were de-
feated less than A 600. A change Of less
than one ard one half per cent or less than
fifteen III thousand, would have given Us
a majority. In eleven States Of the Union,
excluding entirely the Southern States,
change of thirty thousand votes on the re-
suit of last tall will in 1868 elect Preyi-
dent and a majority Of Congress. Is there
not, on the contrary, every reason to hope?
Vas ever a great battle fought with less
disparity of numbers? Let him that is
timid remember how the cavalry Of Charles
Sartel, Fighting with hearts firm as ram
parts and with iron arms, received and
conquered the hosts of Saracens Let him
remember that Cressy and Agincourt are
glorious because valor and constancy made
up for numbers. Let him remember that
John Sob eski, with so 900 soldiers, rescu-
ed Christendom under the walls Of Vienna
from the crap Of 800, 900 Turks Let him
remember the pride and pomp Of the Span
lsh Armada and its speedy and inglorious
end. Let him remember the retreats, and
defeats, and disasters which betell Wash
ington, and the croWning glories OF York
town. And if he needs further encourage
ment, let him remember against what odds
y.
Ana what shall the Southern States dc in
their extremity? | have said that | am
speaking as an Ohio man to Ohio men Of
their duty to their OWN State and people,
L would not dictate, nor urge, nor eyen ad-
wise others. They must follow the dictates
OF their judgments and consciances. But
If might be permitted to say that which
lies near to my breast it would be this Let
the Southern States be passive and patient
They took up arms-they were defeated
they surrendered. That surrender involves
TIE necessity of faithful obedience te the
Constitution and the laws; that faithful
obedience entities them to the rights and
liberties guaranteed by the Constitution
and the laws They may be powerless to
secure these rights and liberties. They may
be subjected by the strong arm to Oppves.
sion and wrong but they can decline to
advise change of the Constitution. They
can refuse to consent to the creation OF a
despotistn. They can refuse to do volunta-
rly that which their Judgment rejects and
their feeling detests. They can maintain
their honor and self respect they can at
least decline to, be the facie instrument Of
their OWN degradation, and they can bear
the Consequences Of their course. They
may be deprived Of epresentation-the
may be even reduced to Il territorial condi-
ton. This is 10 easy task-it viii not be
lightly undertaken-it Will not he easily eE-
ecutod; difficulties will arise at every step.
1t is SO bold usurpati0n OF power-invoiy-
ing so many interests, both OF the peopic.
and the States OF the N0rth-so revolution
ary and dlsorganizing-s flagrantly at war
with every provision and theory Of the
Constitution that it will scarcely be posi-
ble to execute it fully. But if the attempt
should be made successfully, this too, being
imposed by superior force, they can bear
Let them oppose it by the passive resistance
of mastery inactivity. Let them repair
their shattered fortunes let them recon
struct their industrial system: let them WOO
prosperity and wealth. let their fields
whlten with cotton, and their plantations
yield their increase Of corn and sugar and
rice let them, moved by their own just
impulses, and not by dictation from others,
revise, if necessary, their legislation in re-
gard to the freedmen, ard secure to them
all their civil rights by the same processes
of law, expressed by the same courts, and
the same penalties as are used in the case
of the white men. Let them, if necessary
to secure this ample protection, revise and
change the public opinion of taeir commu-
mites. Let them he Jealous in securing to
them every opportunity Of fitting them
selves for their changed condition. and cy-
cry advantage for a good development
which healthy social and governmental
system will permit The necessity Of both
sections will coerce social and commercial
Intercourse and this, in time, will soften
aspcritieS, nj assuage bitterness and pro-
mote good will, and restoration, if it ever
comes at all, will be upon sound basis. =
Nor, in this connection, Is the fact to be
overlooked, that very few Of the Northern
States have ratified the amendment; and
that, if all these ten excluded States should
ratfy it, seventeen others would be need
ed. They have shown no alacrity to come
forward. Nor is it to be forgotten that the
bill authorizing The admission of Senator'S
and Representatives, upon its complete rat
ification has never yet passed either House
OF Congress. By law Of its being. false
hood possesses an adheient weakness
Sometimes its supporters quarrel and di-
vide; sometimes its parts antagonize !;
sometimes force touches it, and Il bubble
only has burst sometimes sober second
thought assails it. Time, with It's Ithulicl
spear, inevitably pierces it, and il comes to
n3Itnht This frenzy of paSsiou cannot Ia 81