Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-12-22
uNREcoNsrRucrED GEORGIA.

tits to be regretted that, Of the late
insurrectionary States, Georgia stands
foremost aud almost alone in insubor-
dination to the National Government,
for Georgia has within her borders the
elements Of material prosperity to a
greater extent than any n of the
Southern States. Her grsat natural
advantages are being neglected polit-
icsl prescription, once the bsns of the
entire Sorth, has still the aseendsncy
in Georgia. While Virginia and South
Carolina have accepted the new condi-
ton of affairs in good faith, sacrificing
their old prejudices as a slight return
for the maguauimity praeticed toward
them by tho National authorities, Geer-
gia has again placed herself in a posi-
ton Of almost open rebellion. Since
the withdrawal of the military author
ity the State has lapsed into a condition
of anarchy. The lords of misruls are
the very worst of the lste rebels-des-
rsradoes who have no regard for either
life or property-and they have untor-
~turately tn. ~sympathiss Of a-portion OF
the better class Of the community, who
conaiye at their ou.ragss, because they
are committed in the name of the old
slave code. Union men aad freedmen
are the victims of these miscrennts,
The murder, Of innocent and iuoffen'ire
colorsd people have become so frequent
tina, they attract no attention +; and the
loyal white people are maltrestad with
impunity because their late secession
neighbors dare not, if they would, tes-
tify against their oppressors.
This l~am.ntsble condition Of affairs
demanded Congressional interference,
and all humane people will be glad to
l.ara that Congress has acted promptly
in the matter. The Ssnats Judiciary
Committee has presented q bill, pro'id.
ing that the Governor shall convene the
original members elect of the LegislH-
turs, compelling NIL to take tue test
oath, and allowing none TO be qualified
who are ineligible under the third clause
Of the Fourteenth Amendment. This
measure is in conformity with The roc
concentrations concerning Georgia made
by President Grant in his message. II
rar,ores TO their seats the colored nem.
bers Of the Legislature ousted in direct
violation of the new Constitution Of the
State, and closes the doors Of the legis-
latirc halls in the faces Of the red-hand.
ed rebels and seeessionists.
With the u~useating Of the colored
members began the present terrible
state of things in Georgia. II is to be
hoped that with their reinstatement law
and order will also be restored. 1t is,
unfortunately, too true that the Georg.
ians have been misled BY those who
professed to be their political friends in
the North. These bad advisers raised
the cry Of prescription against the loyal
freedmen. Their presence in the Lsgis.
lature wns asserted to DO distssteful to
the North, aud q new Congress vas
pledged that would repeal the Civil
Rights bill and give the freed slaves
over to the tender mercios Of the men
who are now disgracing Georgia. With
out entering into the question of race,
the people of the North have decided
tina. none bnt loyal men shall legislate
for the late iusurrectionsry States and
that before the LAW, in Georgia "a in
Pennsylvania, all men shall be free and
equal. Il is to be regretted tina. so sim-
pie n lesson in American governmental
policy as this ia must be enforced in the
great State Of Georgia by a special Act
from the ~Forty-fr,t Congress. Those
who are responsible for thi, melancholy
spectacle will no. be forgotten By those
most deeply interested, the citizens o!
Georgia themselves.