Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-05-31
LET US BE UNITED


We have long since recognized the fact
that the matter Of choice as to our re-
construction is not with us, and have
| therefore determined to submit with as
| good grace as possible to the terms i'm
| posed on us, reservlng at all times to
ourselves determination to better our
condition as much as possible both in an
effort to rid ourselves Of the harsh fea-
lures Of the demands against us during
the process of The adjustment of the
terms OF reconstruction, and the Kidding
ourselves of Objectionable features i'm
| posed on us after the contamination of
reconstruction. This we propose to do
only by the privileges accorded us by
the laws set to govern the circumstan-
ces. What we do or urge Others to do
is to be done within the pale Of the law
in all cases.
AS revolution, our side of the war
was failure, and in consequence of that
failure we became REBELS. We have
only to look at history to tell the fate of
rebels heretofore in other countries; and
as we have escaped that horrible fate,
we think it due not only to ourselves
but to suffering humanity in our midst
that we should submit in good faith,
| glad to get the easy terms offered us.
We know this is unpopular doctrine
to hold forth here ia the South, where
the prejudices of the people have been
dashed into fury against it; bat we are
actuated by desire to alleviate the suf-
ferings of the people in our section as
much as possible, by urging a speedy
adjustment of our difficulties that we
may all return to business and endeayor
to secure material prosperity.
Four years have passed since the last
gun was fired in behalf Of the Southern
cause, and if that long period CT suffer-
ing has not been sufficient to allay the
passions OF some, it would be hard to
tell what time would be required. We,
having failed, cannot expect to demand
our own terms of adjustment and the
only persons that now throw obstacles
in the way are those who Insist virtually
| that we should have our own terms :;
and we sometimes question whether
these obdurates would be willing to re-
construct and 60 back into the Union,
even with every demand of their own
complied with. We believe the people
are determined to acquiesce but their
minds are kept on the halt by the "stub-
borns," who seek every means to confuse
and mislead them. This is done in many
instances by what is really, under their
circumstances, base and mean appeals
to their prejudices. We know the harsh
features of the reconstruction laws are
as repugnant to our own feelings as they
are to the feelings of any Southerner.
But what are we 10 do? Appomattox
decided against us. We ,here COM
menced to eat our dirt; and if we had
been wise since, we should have finished
the job by accepting the Howard Amend
ment. This potion we refused, and it
has since accumulated in quantity and
bitter quality, with less chance for our
escaping the nauseous dose. 1t is but
one operation, then why not swallow it
at once and be done with it. Let us
persuade ourselves that we have got a
little common sense left and do this at
once.
AS for ourselves Individually, we are
satisfied every true Virglnian is going to
vote for the Walker ticket and for the
expurgated Constitution, and we are
anxious for them to manifest their de-
sign at once, as united native white
vote on this occasion will be sufficient
to at once draw over to our side enough
of the colored vote to strike terror into
the hearts of our enemies and put them
to flight. They now only take courage