The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-01-08
=. -. For the Standard.
REFLECTIONS ON RECONSTRUCTION.

will analyZe first its necessities and then it
effects. 1t has been said thousand time
that the depression, gloom, restitution alt
decentralization which pervades the country
is owing to Radical rule and Radical legis
lation. Is this true2 Have bloody anc
disastrous wars been followed in othel
countries with results of different cllarac
teri Yea, is there man in his sober sense.
any where, who fails to see that the wide
spread desolation existing in all the South
is not the result of Congressional legislation
| since the war, but is attributable to the wal
| ITSELF -
! Our ablest statesmen foretold the conse.
| quences of war, and the attempt to break
! up the government before the firing of the
first gun upon Fort Sumter. Their predic-
tions have been verified by heggared wild.
ows and orphans, by the halfmillion siaugh-
tered heroes whose graves ridge almost eve
ry nelghborhood, most of whom were beguil-
ed or forced intn the struggle.
If their prophesy has become history, how
can Congress, radical though it be- be
held responsible for all the existing waste
and ruin? AS it was before the war so is it
now. Cause and effect become disiointed
and the sophistry of politicians obscures the
most pa!pable truths.
Now what of Radical legislation so called ?
Is 1t not patent to the mind of the whole
world that rebellion was organized in the
South for the sole purpose of breaking up
the government The force called into be-
ing to protect the government was organized
at the North. The issue between the two
sections being fairly joined and the hazards
fully understood, the contending hosts square
ly met in the conflict. One side or the other
had to be conquered. The North was victo-
rlOus. Southern heroes had to lay down
their arms and accept such terms as the con-
queror might dictate.
Now whether the terms were macnani
nous or not the world judges The proba-
bility is that no conquered people have ever
been treated with greater consideration
These Southern States were thoroughly dis
organized and were political ruins. By such
machinery as had been impraviscd in the
midst of revolution, they were trying to keep
society together, having no relation to the
Federal Constitution. The condition was
anomalous, without precedent and wholly
without constitutional landmarks to guide
the ship of State The world lnows the
abortive efforts of the President of the
United States to provide for and meet the
emergency. The task was assumed by Con-
gress which passed laws providing for recon-
struction, in regard to which, there is now
sectional disagreements as there were before
the war. How are these differences to be
reconciled? What answer to this question
would reason and justice give? Will any
one attempt to show that the conquered
have right to dictate terms Surely not
Will protraction of the contest be likely to
change the antagonisms9 Can this be ex-
pected Nay, my countrymen. 1t is folly,
objectionable folly to expect it. What then
is our duty All of every political hue
agree that it is necessary and desirable for
the States lately in rebellion to ge. back into
the Union to the end that political agitation
may cease, and the people be allowed to
know what awaits them in the future. There
certainly is no propriety in hesitation, be-
cause Congress thinks proper to clothe with
political power the negro. For the white
who is DISTINGUISHED there can be but one
opinion.
Many of them so far committed themselves
to the cause of the rebellion as would in
most European governments have cost them
their lives. ~
Certainly they would not be allowed to
again participate in the government of the
country. If such persons be restored to all
rights and immunities of the citizen it will
be an instance OF magnanimity on the part
OF the conquerer without parallel in his
tory. 1t is to be presumed, however. that it
never will be done universally, and hence the
folly IN opposing reconstruction because of
such hcpes. But enough on this subject
What of the future in regard to the finances
OF the State? What measures can be adop-
ted that will bring about prosperity again.
Sir, we must begin again where the poor al
ways begin, and must rely upon the means
that have heretofore elevated the poor
Providence has so constituted society, so
liked the laws OF the social compact as to
make prosperity dependent upon labor and
economy. We must go to work. All must
find something to do, and must do it.
These lands of ours are capable of pro-
ducing enough to supply the wants of mil
lions of population. This climate is thought
to be the most salubrious on the globe, =
These streams are capable of moving the
machinery Of the Universe and these hills
and valleys abound with minerals of untold
value, whilst these forests waive with meal
culable wealth.
But how shall all these great resources be
developed2 To unfold the modus operandi
is a task OF vast magnitude Suppose YOU
settle on survey of GAO acres of our lands
ten families. Let them be frugal, indus
trlous people. Let each family eliminate
from the soil its maximum production accor-
ding to the force employed. How long
would 1t be before you could see in their
midst the school house and the church q
How long would it be before prosperity
would exist in that little community, and
happiness and contentment pervade every
household?
Prosperity will follow such means and such
only. When prosperity exists among the
resident population you present the greatest
attraction for emigration. 1J1
There are some suggestions, however, to
be considered in reference to the present in
dcbtedness of the people. How are they to
be relieved? The most mischievous legisla-
ton ever had among people is that which
lnterposes legal barriers between debtor and
creditor in the shape Of stay laws. 1t is
only necessary to observe the effect of such
laws since their existence. Can instances be
cited where the condition of the debtor has
been improved9 Have debts not increased
instead Of being diminished Has the in
tegrity of the community been fostered a.
Rather has it not wasted away, until dishon-
esty itself unblushingly stalks about in open
day. Were King, Lords and Commons, 1
would sweep all such laws from the statute
book. Then people would soon learn pru-
dence if not economy. It would be an era
4 y = - rs :