The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-14
most for the good and the glory of our beloved

most for the good and the glory of our beloved
State.
The government of the United States, in the
prosecution of the war to suppress the rebellion
and in the measures it has adopted toreconstruct
the Union, has exhibited extraordinary clemency
and -magnanimity 1t has taken no vengeance
for the past but has required only security for
the future. It has deprived no man of his prop
erty save fer war purposes during the progress
of the war; it has exiled no man; it has punished
no man for the crime of rebellion. tt has sim
ply required that those who have been in rebel
lion should renew their allegiance, and that such
guards should be placed in the organic laws of
the States and the nation as to prevent future
rebellion. Instead of defining or restricting suf-
frage permanently, it has left it with the respee-
tive States, to be determined and settled as they
may choose; and this State following in full
measure the example of the national government,
has made suffrage free to all.
But the war to suppress the rebellion has, in
its results, necessarily changed as it has settled,
the theory of construction previously held by
large portion of the people. Our liberties have
been consolidated, and the Union can in no
event, be dissolved. 1t is to endure always. 1t
must increase, but never decrease For all
great national purposes the government of the
United States is over the States and paramount
Ito the States, and the allegiance of the citizen is
first due to it. There is appeal from the will
of the nation, expressed by majority. Armed
resistance to the national authority, whether by
individuals of their own accord, or by individuals
acting under supposed State authority or COM
mand is treason, and must be so held and treat
ed The doctrine of States rights, as held by
Mr. Calhoun and followers, has ceased to have
validity or vitality; and the teachings and doc
trines of Washington, Hamilton, Webster, Jack
son. Clay and Lincoln now constitute the true,
/ and the only safe theory of construction. This
has been settled, under Providence, by the result
fof solemn appeal to arms among brethren; and
! he who would unsettle this theory, thereby rem
dering it possible that secession should ever again
be attempted, is no friend to his species, to his
State, or to the general government Of his coun-
try The government of the United States is no
longer feeble luminary, receiving and dispens-
! ing light to surrounding planets but it is a full
tsun, burning with superior splendor, pervading
and holding up to itself the entire system and
kindling new planets into life and motion. How
benefcent, how glorious, how far reaching will
be the light it will dispense when it reaches its
meridian we shall not live to see, but the gener-
atoms to come after us will walk in that light
and be contented, prosperous and happy. In
the fulness of their gratitude they will thank
God, as we do that the government of the United
States, delivered from the perils of rebellion, and
reconstructed on the basis of the equal rights Of
RAIL- is as indestructible as the earth itself, and as
secure in its position and in the exercise of al
its great powers, as
t 1.-THE Northern star.
L Ofwhose true fixed and resting quality
I There is no fellow in the armament"
II I have thus, fellow citizens, stated briefly anc
plainly the great principles contained in our State
Constitution, and have frankly announced the
policy which will characterize my administration
.TCherishing neither malice nor resentment for any
ksag that has occurred in the pastp shall %
view the welfare of North Carolina. | love
Nhe Union, because it is the first, the last the
only hope ofmy State; and [ love my State, be
cause her people have been good and kind to me
and because her sky is above my home, as it will
: be above my grave. If have enemies, tina
does not make me an enemy to my State, no.
; move me to course of action based on resent
ment Or revenge. I follow the principles O.
Washington, who founded, and of Lincoln, wht
saved the Republic and when these principle.
cease to lead, | shall cease to follow. May the
God of our fathers have us in his holy keeping
may He govern and not we; and may the future
OF our beloved State be as bright and as glorious
as the last seven years have been disastrous anc
unhappy.