Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-09-09
The Letter of Chief Justice
Pearson, of North Carolina.

The following is the letter OF Chief
Justice R. NJ. Pearson, of North Caro-
lima, Conservative, to the Conserva-
tiyes of that State:
"7o ,he Conservative Party:
81 am alarmed at the condition of
the country, and fear we are drifting
into another civil war. In my opinion,
the war clouds are as dark now as in
the winter of lS60-6l. We were then
promised 'peaceable nullifcation.' Un-
der these circumstances, | feel it TO be
a duty to make known the reasoning
by which [ have arrived at the conclu-
SION that every man who has an inter
est at stake, and who wishes to have
peace and avoid bloodshed, should
vote for Grant and Colfax. Being a
member of the Conservative party, and
having been elected Chief Justice OF
the Supreme Court on the nomination
of both parties, by unanimous vote OF
the people, it is fair to presume that l
have their confidence, and that what l
say will be considered calmly, as the
advice of friend who has no motive
save the public good. l trust to be
held justified by the emergency, for
expressing my opinion, and to be
allowed TO do so, without being drawn
into the vortex Of politics. With my
views, silence would be criminal. God
Almighty forbid war of races! Violent
politicians avow their purpose to agi-
tate, turn things upside down. nullify,
and bring on another war, rather than
submit to let the negroes vote and hold
Office. But is it not the part of wisdom
and patriotism TO accept The situation,
and try TO make the mOst1of a bad bar
gain, rather than make bad Worser l
cannot, as others seem to be able to do,
exclude from my mind the fact that
the South attempted revolution and
was subjugated, and our condition is
ole of the bitter fruits of rebellion
Let us have peace This is the point
on which my opinion rests.
The New York Convention declares
our State Government a mere creation
of usurpation, and of course not en-
titled to the allegiance of the people
and it proclaims the Reconstruction
acts of Congress unconstitutional, rev
olutionary, and void'-Omitdng the
word null, lest it might call up un
pleasant recolleciions of the days Of
notification, when the strong will oi
jackson prevented war. If the Recon
struction acts are void, so are the Re
construction measures of President
johnson, and the negroes are still
slaves. This leads to war. But, 1t Il
said, slavery and secession are dead
4 issues. Why, or how? Admit. how
ever, that the only object is to deprive
the freedmen of political rights. do"
can that be effected? Some say 1t L
to be done by the ballot, and not by
the bayonet.' How? That's the oues
ton. The freedmen are now in pos
session of the right to vote; OF course
if they vote, the Constitution cannot
be amended, SO the only mode Is tC
carry out practically the doctrine tha.
the Reconstruction acts are void, ano
our Constitution is of no effect. ThE
is nullification, and, disguise It as they
may, it must result in war. History
furnishes no instances of four milllor
of people, backed as they are, in oul
State, by clear majority of twenty
thousand votes, being deprived o
political rights which they have enjoy
ed for years. 1t cannot be done with
out civil war. 1t is against the order
of nature.
my countrymen it is time Il
pause, and refuse longer to follow tht
lead of violent politicians. We shoulC
discard prejudice and passion, and &C
on our own judgment, as to wha
should be done under the circumstan
ces by which we find ourselves sur
rounded.
THE most violent members of an.
party, provided that they can ge
members enough at the start TO max
q respectable showing, always carr,
their point, for reason Is put aside
vituperation and abuse are hurled a
all who hesitate, he is not friend
the South, he is a traitor to his rae
and COLOR etc, etc. The women AM
. children lcreatures of feelingl join il
the cIamor, and SO it goes. You and
were opposed to secession, the bulk G
the people opposed it, yet we wer
hurried in TO it. After the ordinances
like true men, we adhered to our Stat
; and rendered faithful allegiance to tn
+. Confederacy up to the surrender
What did we gain by it? L shoul
rather ask, who can estimate what "
lost by itl .-.-
81 Will specify instances where ba
$ was made worse by violent politicians
: 81. We labored under supposed il
: convenience in not being allowed
carry slaves into the Territories, an
owing to the prejudices against slave
ny, fugitive slave could not be II
: claimed under the act of Congrei
. without more cost than his value. 7
: remedy this, the South seeded. W
lont Ill 0,,r oloyou