The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-02
For the Standard
REFLECTIONS ON RECONSTRUCTION.
BY AN ENQUIRER.

For the Standard.
REFLECTIONS ON RECONSTRUCTION.
BY AN ENQUIRER.
In contemplating reconstruction under the
Congressional plan the thoughtful citizen
will analyZe first its necessities and then its
effects. 1t has been said thousand times
that the depression, gloom, destitution and
decentralization which pervades the country,
is owing to Radical rule and Radical leeis-
lation. Is this true? Have bloody and
disastrous wars been followed in other
countries with results of Il different charac-
teri Yea, is there Il man in his sober senses
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 war
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 hcggared wild
ows and orphans, by the halfmilion slaugh-
tered heroes whose graves ridge almost eve
~ neighborhood, most Of whom were beguil-
ed or forced into the struggle.
If their prophesy has become history, how
can Congress, radical though it be0 be
held responsible for all the existing waste
and ruin As it was before the war so is it
now. Cause and effect become disjointed
and the sophistry OF politicians obscures the
most palpable truths.
Now what of Radical legislation so called?
Is it 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
l.ai,, fair i,Nin Il ho. ,rlc
fully understood the contending hosts square
ly met in the conflict. One side or the other
had to be conquered. The North was victo-
rious Southern heroes had to lay down
their arms and accept such terms as the con-
queror might dictate.
Now whether the terms were magnani
nous or not the world judges The proba-
bIity 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 impr0vised 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 Knows the
abortive efforts of the President of the
emergency. The task was assumed by Con-
gress which passed laws providing for recon-
struction, in regard to which, there is now
sectional disagIeements as there were before
the war How are these differences to be
reconciled What answer to this question
would reason and justice givel Will any
one attempt to show that the conquered
have right to dictate terms? Surely not.
Will protraction of the contest he likely to
change the antagonisms2 Can this be ex-
pected Nay, my countrymen. 1t is folly,
objectionable folly to expect it. What then
is our duty2 All Of every political hue
agree that it is necessary and desirable for
the States lately in rebellion to get 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 disfranchised there can be but one
opinion.
MANY of them so far committed themselves
"a, 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
r;ol,ts and imnlunities of the citizen it will
he an instance OF magnanimity on the part
of the conquerer without parallel in his
tory. 1t is to be presumed, however, that 1t
never will be done universally, and hence the
folly in opposing reconstruction because OF
such hopes But enough on this subject
What of the future in gard 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
fixed 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.
q. These lands of ours are capable OF pro-
Heing enough to supply the wants of mil
sf population. This climate is thought
ne most salubrious on the globe
ktreams are capable of moving the
of the Universe and these hills
abound -&ith minerals of untold
nkhesa Awaive with meal
Operandi
pose you
2r lands
indus
knate
heir