Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-01-14

to other powers, and to the genuine
ness of their new allegiance the ma,
tional cemeteries of the land bear am
pie but melancholy testimony. To
afford them now but the partial pro-
lection of our flag would be distinc
ton between the adopted and the ma
tive born. ut once invidious and dis,
graceful.
Congress is earnestly addressing
itself to the important work OF more
completely adjusting the financial
affairs of The country, and | believe
the people may confidently expect
that within a reasonable period
policy will be adopted which, while
commanding the entire approval OF
the nations directors, will secure the
honest payment of the national debt,
at such rate OF interest, and at such
time in the future, as will relieve
them somewhat from the burdens of
taxation now pressing upon them.
They may also expect, and think,
with no fear of disappointment, that
our revenne laws will be 50 amended
and improved as to secure greater
equality of taxation to all portions of
the country ; that taxes will be as
sessed upon articles OF luxury, ex,
empting as far as possible the noces-
saries Of life; that all revenues will
be promptly collected, and that every
violation of the revenue laws will be
severely and speedily punished Tax
alton should be reduced to the lowest
possible rate compatible with the
perfect maintenance of the public
faith, and, TO secure this result, the
most rigid economy must prevail in
every department of the Government.
Our representatives, recognizing the
great Importance of retrenchment,
and their accountability TO the peo>
pie, will, | am satisfied, discharge
their full duty in this direction.
The work of reconstruction is pro
crossing as rapidly and as satistactor
lily as could be expected when we
consider that q great majority of
those who were leading traitors are
opposing the pacifcation OF the
country upon any basis which will
not insure to them full control of the
States lately in rebellion, and place
under subsection to them the Union
men of that section. Such have con-
stantly sought since the cessation of
bostilities to save from the ruins of
their crushed Lonfederacy some of
the pernicious principles upon which
it was founded, and have seemed re-
solved to accept no terms which the
Government might offer. They have
opposed, and still bitterly oppose, all
schemes of reconstruction unless of
their own dietation. When the war
was ended, and the paroled armies of
treason had returned to their homes,
the people of the North had right
to expect from them obedience to
and acquiescence in the laws of the
land. In this just expectation they
have been continually disappointed.
Those who sustained this Union
and who gave to its support freely of
their blood and treasure, have some
rights which traitors are bound to re.
spect, and which will be enforced.
They have a right to an early resto-
ration to the Union of the States
lately in rebellion upon a basis OF
equal and exact justice to all men
They have right to demand that
the local governments of those States
shall be placed in the hands of men
| hn ka,. f0
pentant Of their treason; that Union
men Of every grade and condition
shall receive that protection to which
they are entitled, and without which
this Government would be but stu
pendous farce. They are satisfied
with the Congressional plan of re-
construction now carried out and
will not materially change it, because
it guarantees these rights, and be-
cause they believe its main features
essential to the future safety of the
Republic. The principles which un-
derlie it cannot be successfully oppos-
ed and those at the South who are
so bitterly hostile to them ale prov>
ing themselves entirely unworthy OF
the generous forbearance received By
them at the hands of people whom
they have so deeply injured. Moth
ing is demanded in a spirit of anger
or revenge. Seeking the safety OF
the hation, we demand only what is
deemed essential to its future peace,
and 10 the perpetuity of our free in
situations. No one asks the perma-
nent acknowledgements of any class of
people at the South, but simply that
those, who by their position and edu-
cation, controlled the Southern masses
and led them into rebellion against
| the Government, and who are respon-
sible for all the precious blood which
! has been shed, and the lives which
have been sacrificed, shall not be per-
mitted to regain their former politi-
cal power until they indicate by their
action a willingness to acquiese in the
principles which pledge to all men
equality before the law, and ample
protection in the enjoyment of all the
rights which belong to men and citi-
zens. Early restoration to all forfeit
cd privileges is within their grasp
Let them, embittered no longer by
sectional rancor aad defeated parti>
sanship, Join hands with the people of
the North in redeeming the nation 8
pledges, and in placing the Republic
upon basis ofjustice and right which
shall endure through the coming ages,
and gladly will all extend to them
the hand of friendly, hearty welcome.
Strong in the consciousness of being
right, and in the full faith that ulti-
mately the right must and will pre-
vail, united by an honest devotion to
the best interests Of the entire coun-
try, and unfaltering in the holy deter
mination to hand down to posterity,
without stain, and stronger than
ever before, the Government which
the Fathers gave them, the Union
men of this land, North and South,
will stand firm and undismayed until
:, -. ,vNrIx 10 dona and harmO-