South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-01-24

EVILS AND THEIR REMEDY.
Since 1861, the harmony Of this nation
has been sadly disturbed. For four years
Of the intervening time, the Interruptions
of peaceful relations was due to a state of
war. The practical disuniOn existing since
1863 Is refcrable to a course of Congress
onal action, wicked in motive, illegal in
character and ruinous in result.
While the war for the Union was in pro
gress, its successful issue was anticipated
as the guarantee of prompt reunion and
permanent peace. Such contamination
was the aim of patriotic effort in the field,
the object of solemn pledges in the Halls
of Congress, and the confident expectation
of the masses of the people.
The war has long since ended The re-
bellion has long since been crushed. Eve
ry obstacle placed by the Southern move
ment in the way of the nations unity, has
long since been removed.
Nevertheless, disappointment waits upon
the peoples wish The pledges of Con-
grcss have been repudiated The triumphs
Of our armies have been nutralized, and the
purposes of the brave, men who secured
them have been shamefully defeated.
a dissolution more disastrous than that
now existing between the Southern States
and the Federal Government, could scarce
ly have been brought about by the success
Of the rebellion.
y condition OF affairs so much at vari
aCce with the wishes and interest of the
people OF our entire country, demands ref
crcucc OF the acts and aims OF those who
produced it.
CONGRESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION.
For more than two years tha Southern
Stntes have desired to renew their old re-
lations to the Government.
| Congress has constantly prevented that
resumption.
/ They are entitled to be restored upon
/ The basis OF the Federal Constitution.
| Congress has contcssedly thrown aside
! that instrument and obstructod restoration
with terms and conditions Of its own pre-
scribing.
Affecting to desire the perpetuily Of the
! Republic, it has made deadly assault u
pom Republican institutions.
Processing to aim at the salvation Of the
/ Union, it has wrought the destruction Of
/ Ten Of the States.
/ The right of each State to regulate lis
own internal affairs, enirancbisc It's own
/ voters and choose its own rulers and law
/ makers, is AS sacred rs our Constitution and
as iudes,ructiblc rs our Government.
/ Without it, Republican liberty is worth
les1, FIR when the people cease to be free
~ citizens of the States, they become the
subjects of unlimited and irrcs ponsiDie Fed
crd power.
! When Congress abolished the local Gov
cumeuts Of the South, it violated u vital
; rriurirlp of our system
/ When il erected military establishments
in their stead, it introduced the most abom-
/ Unable feature of dcspotism
! In further pursuance Of It's purposes,
/ Congress has thrown the political power of
/ the South Into negro hanis
! 70 assure this result, it has djsfranchis-
ed the white population 10y hundreds of
/ thousands
1 Eufrunchi-iog the blacks, it has made
voters Of the ignorant, the vicious, and the
brutal; legislators Of those who regard
liberty "A license, aul lazy rs the iustru-
! m.ut ofrcveugc, and rulers OF class hose
ideas OF government, Ike their notions Of
religion, tend directly AMI inevitably to
7 Dlrbarism
MILITARY GOVERNMENT AND ITS RESULTS
Having given the negro the right to vote
and the power TO rule, Congress confcsscs
his incompeteucy for either by insisting
/ that the bayouet Of the soldier, the dis
franchiscment Of the citizen, and the super
vision Of the Frccdmeus Bureau are ne
ccssary T. sustain him IN bis new relations.
i}y such declarations, the dominant par
| ~ would justify the continuance Of the Mill
i'ary Despoiism erected within the South
ern States