Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-04-04
GOOD ADVICE FROM ALABAMA.
s.n.,bi. Letter fro~ Governor Pstte'


Several citizens of Alabama having
asked Gov. Patton as TO the best course
to be pursued in relation to the Recon
struction act, he has replied in long
letter. After explaining the provisions
of the law with much detail, he says:
The requirement Of this act of Con-
grcss should be accepted as conclusive
upon the subject Of negro suffrage. TO
contend against 1t now Is simply to
struggle against the inevitable. Such
struggle would he utterly hopeless, and
could accomplish no good to any one.
At the election ofdelegates to the State
Convention, portion of our people will
be deprived ofthe privilege of either vo-
ting, or of being chosen members. The
persons composing this class are those
who, ms United States officers, or US MEM
brrs of the Legislature, or executive or
judicial officers of the State, took an oath
to support the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, and afterward participated in
the war against the Federal Government.
This disiranchisemcnt excludes many
good men from voting, and will deprive
the convention of the services of many
who, for their talents, experience, wis
dom, and consistent efforts to uphold the
integrity of the national Government, de-
serve and enjoy the confidence ofthe pco-
pie. But such is the law, and we need
! not fear but what n wise and patriotic
| convention may be chosen from those
who are eligible.
All who are entitled to vote should un-
hcsitatingly exercise that privilege, and
| those who are DISTINGUISHED, should use
| their influence for the accomplishment
of all possible good. Let ii not be sup
| posed that they can do nothing because
! they are unable 60 vote. The freedmen
are now to vote for the first time. We
should cherish against them no i'll feel
! ing The elective franchise Is conferred
upon them; let them exercise 1t freely
and in their own way. No effort should
be made to control their votes, except
such rs rHay tend to enable them to vote
! intelligcntly, and such as may be ncces-
sary to protect them against nschievous
| influences to which, from their want of
intelligence, they may possibly be subjcc-
ted. Above all things we should discour-
age everything which may tend to gem
crate antagonism between white and col
ored voters.
This is an Important crisis for us all.
| We require prudence and moderation,
coupled with decision and tirmncss. l
have every confidence that these sterling
qualities will be 50 exercised by our pco-
|
Alabama is concerned, definite and ei-
foctivc settlement of the great question
of reconstruction. / confidently antici-
pate the choice of such delegates to the
Convention rs will give US u good Con-
stitution. With Constitution recognized
by the national legislature, our State
would be relieved from the uncertainties
and embarrassments which now hang
over us until we are restored to harmo-
4,
| 1t is, perhaps, unnecessary, and might
be Improbable, to inquire whether or
not the state of things now upon us
might have been averted by policy diff
fercnt from that which has been pursued
in this State. | may say, however, that
for some time / have been thoroughly
convinced that too little consideration
has been accorded to Congress. That
body now wiclds the chief power in the
Government 1t asserts and exercises
the right to control the whole question
of reconstruction. Its power to do so is
completes; and time and again 1t has given
evidence of an unyielding purpose to en-
force its policy in this regard. While
this has been to me clearly manifest,
have regretted to find such an unfriendly
disposition toward it. 1t would have
been better for Us if, before This, In accept
ing the national situation" we had made
! proper concessions to congressional re-
T quirements. We cannot place ourselves
in general Government while defiance
and denuncation are hurled against its
controlling department.
; The antagonism between Congress and
, the Southern States has already brought
mischief upon us; and we will suffer still
more If II does not cease. Our State
should not be continued in an attitude OF
hostility to the w-making power of the
Government. Upon this vital question
our people should profit by experience -
The events of the past few months show
incontestibly that persistent opposition
and abuse of Congress entail upon US in
creased eXaction. Those who cannot sec
this, or will not admit it, are anything
but wise or practical men.
am of the opinion that it IL our trl,
interest to have the State placed in its
proper position in the national Union ~
early IA practicable.
= In view of all that has transpircd In tn,
last twelve or eighteen months, IL IL ute
folly to expect that this can be done OF
, any terms more favorable than those EN-
braced in the present act. / think tina
, by proper concession, better feeling
might have been secured heretofore; bu
: it il now too late. If we fail TO re0rgan
iZe the State In accordance with the re
: quircments of this act, wo may, and
, think will, be subjected to more oncrOu
, exactions. Hence, think that this re
Z organization should be perfected just a
soon rs an opportunity for doing so i
: presented. 0.E
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