The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-12-22

The position assumed by the State o
Georgia last winter, in declaring vacant tn
seats of several of the peoples representa-
tives, placed the State In open antagonist
to the reconstruction laws, and as violating
the plighted faith of a majority Of her vsten
who declared to recognize the provisions o
the Constitution giving equal rights to al
classes of her citizens regardless of race OF
color. This was condition which she as
sumed, while yet the feeling of penitence
were upon her people.
1t is not to be presumed for moment
that the Republican party will go back-to
use common xpression-upon their de-
clared principles, and make Georgia an ex-
ception to their rule. And we little fear the
evil results SO openly limited at, if the EN-
pire State of the South" shall be required to
comply with her contract, and at last suffer
the voice of the qualified voters of the. State
to be heard and respected through such rep
resentatives as they may choose to send to
their legislative halls. 1t may be viewed by
some of the cotton kings as an act of humil-
iation-be it SO then and it were we'll if
the hard hearts, who hold out against pop
ular sovereignty. could be brought down,
and made to feel, as well as know, that the
government of the United States will not be
trifed with, but that she will see justice me-
ted out to all of her citizens that every
freeman, who is not debarred by crime COM
mitted, shall exercise the rights guaranteed
to them by the Constitution.
The Wilmington Star seems to think that
there sis cut and dried appearance in
the incipient schemes of peridy and tespo.
tism, by which Georgia is to be remanded
to the rule of bayonets," and the Star de-
clares "it ought to bring odium upon those
who are engaged in the foul transaction"
It is well that Doctors differ Often
the life of a patient is saved by the disagree
ment-and it is very clear, in this case, that
the Republican Doctors differ from the DEM
ocratic Doctors as to the medicine Which the
sick State of Georgia ought to take. The
disease has assumed very malignant type,
and the remedy must be prescribed &C.
cordingly. .. ..
Let Georgia GO on in her work of pro-
scription, and in very short time we might
reasonably look for other acts still more
proscriptive, and finally, the freedmen
would receive marching orders to quit the |
soil of the State. This forbearancc
would bring odium on the government-a
government protesting Republicanism in its
broadest sense.
No State, recently in rebellion, can be al.
lowed to return to the Union on certain con.
ditions, and then ignore those conditions
The bargain must be permanent-fxed
and irrevocable. The question of tamper-
ing with the Constitution is not an open one
the old theory of that kind of States
Rights which gives the State the power to
exclude one portion of her citizens from GER
ain privileges, is exploded-and what we
want now, and must have at all hazards. is
compact, signed, sealed and delivered-nerer
% be broken
We confess that it is to be regretted that
he present state of affairs in Georgia calls
or legislative action on the part of Congress.
Ne sincerely regret tive deplore strife,
md are eager for the peace and prosperity of
he whole land; but, as we have said, the
work which is being done nor, is to last, and
must be well done. The present generation
working for future generations, and it is
Eisdom that we hand down government
which will need no alteration, but will carry
nth it inestimable blessings forever.