Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-01-18
8eotoro Enquirer.
BEDFORD, "a. FRIDAY. JAN. IS, 1861,
rnE DurY OF CONGRESS.

sults of the war and to abide thereby I'm
der this impression and hoping that the
President would acquiesce if not assist IN
the Congressional scheme Of ofreconstruction,
the terms we're made the most lenient posi-
bic. and indeed much more lenient than
some of our most experienced and far-see-
ing statesmen then deemed advisable or
prudent Up to the present moment
but a single rebel State has accepted
on shown a disposition to accept the eondi-
tions thus offered. Happily for the nation,
this is so. It's well for the peace and safe
ty Of the country, that they have rejected
the profered terms The bitter unrepent
aut. cruel and blood-thirsty spirit Of rebel
lion is still rife in every Southern State
The fearful gulf into which we might have
been plunged, BY their acceptance of the
amendment has since become apparent
CouGding too much in their false proies
sions Of repentance, we uususpectingly en-
dangcred all the fruits Of the war. Now
that our eyes have been OPENED to the true
spirit that still actuates our late enemies in
arms let thorough work be done. With
the remembrance of New Orleans, and the
evidence Of the continual and cruel persecu-
tion to which loyal men, white and black,
aro subjected throughout the South, let
Congress, not rejecting the amendment
for it too is essential, do It's duty promptly
and fearlessly. To our wayward brethren
we have offered terms more naguanimous
than were ever before offered to rebels and
traitors Not single one even Of their
leaders has suffered capital punishment,
nor been banished the country for his troa-
son. On the contrary many have been
Internationally pardoned, and all have en-
ioyed the protection Of the laws We have
offered to receive them back to the fold,
asking only that our own safety be assured,
but they have laughed US to scorn. Our
profered hand Of friendship has been re-
iected with contempt Our people have
essayed to go among them, settle upon their
lands, till their soil, build up manufac-
lures, develop their mines and assist in
restoring them to their former prosperity,
but their welcome has been with pistols
aud bowie knives. WehaYe wooed them with
the kind deeds and loving words of friends
They have shown themselves ungrateful
even for the food that kept them from star,
yation, and their cars have been deaf to our
entreaties, The efforts Of friendship have
all been futile. The spirit of the conquer
ed is still rebellious Soft words and hon
eyed phrases must be abandoned. There
now devolye upon US the stern duties of
conquerers. They will not come. Our bu-
siness is to bring them into the told and un-
der the dominion Of the laws. They former
" turned aside immigration, drove away
enterprise and crushed the growth Of the
South with the incubus of slavery. They
now endeaYor to attain the same exclusive
ness, and in their selfshness, by persecution,
would drive out all the loyal men who at
tempt to transplant into Southern soil the
intelligence and enterprise that have given
wealth and power to the North. We have
awaited their pleasure for almost two years
in the vain hope that they would return
voluntarily They have departed further
away instead. We can wait no longer.
The necessities Of the country. burdened as
it is with debt, require that all her powers
Of production shall be developed in order to
tighten our burthens, and demand that the
rebelious spirit Of her people shall olonger
be permitted to lock in unproduetive idle
ness the immense advantages of sell and
climate possessed BY the South They have
refused to open their doors and give protec-
ton to those who wish toenter and develop
the resources oftheir country. The people,
whose treasure bought and whose blood re-
deemed it, now demand that Congress
shall take prompt ard vigorous measures
for securing a loyal government in every
Southern State, that shall give protection
to the persons and property Of all who en-
ter their borders without regard to race or
color. Time presses. The dictates Of pru-
dence demand that there be no more unnee-
essary delay. Congress has the power, and
backed by the viii of the people should not
give ear to timorouscounsels but address it.
self promptly, boldly and vigorously to the
work. IF loyal and stable State govern
ments had been promptly organized and
protection given to all men, resident as well
as immigrant, Immediately at the close of
the war, the South, to-day, might be in
condition Of prosperity and able to contrib
ute its share towards paying the national
Indebtedness. She should pay it all Under
any circumstances she must pay her share
Every dollar she is made to contribute is so
much taken from the shoulders OF loyal
Northern men. When the South pays her
share our taxes viii be but half what they
now are. This alone is sufficient induce
ment for the restoration Of the South to
even more than its former prosperity, at the
earliest possible moment But such pros
perity can only result from government
that gives to men Of every race and color
protection to persons and property, and
equal rights before the law This they do
not now possess in any Southern State nor
can they as their Governments are now or
ganized Rebels control them at present
and loyal men are ostracised. Henceforth
let the fundamental idea, in all legislation
by Congress on the question Of reconstruc-
ton, be- that loyal men shall rule In no
other course can we have any assurance Of
DnAa f,4kr l,T -