The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-05-04
quire alter the truth, or even listen to
Eitwhensitzis told to them. -


fitwhen.it is told to them.
" Thus, Washington politicians ant
Congressman are made secure of thei
power and influence at home with tn
people while they legislate ito extenC
their power in the halls of the Nation
al Legislature in all directions. IF the,
can make their constituents believ,
that the people of Georgia are cut
threats and assassins, they a usurI
power and tread under foot all the
principles upoa which free govern
ment is based with the utmost impun.
ity, as they violated the spirit and let
ter of the Constitution during the wal
the unavoidable necessities of the
times. The people of the country will
find that, when too late, perhaps, the
very violations of Constitutional law
and the principle of civil liberty en-
acted by Congress TO subdue and hu
initiate Georgia., may rebound and
crush the liberties and rights of them
selves.
The United States Government,
under Republican power, presents the
sad spectacle of a treacherous custodi
an of the rights of the people of all
sections-denying on the N hand
and granting upon the other, rights
and immunities which belong to all
the States respectively and equally.
We see the humiliatiug picture of a
free Republic perverted to the basest
purposes of building up political par
ties at the sacrifice of law and Justice,
and the best interests of the whole
country. We do not see questions
discussed with an eve TO the interests
of the whole -promotive of the happi-
ness and prosperity of all-and peace
and quiet between the States; but ques-
lions of national import are treated al
together as to how they will effect Pc
litical parties.
1t is in this spirit of legislation and
partisanism that Georgia has been
handled. 1t is with the view of per-
pet1ating the Republican party in
Georgia that the State has been held
up as a bone of contention in the
scramble for partisan power If it
had been certain Georgia was a Ra-
dical State, she would have been rep
resented in Congress two years ago
At the present writing, it is probable
Georgia will remain in a provisional
state until fall as a military district I'M
der the rule of the sword and bayonet.
BY these means it is doubtless hoped
to keep the people in constant turmoil,
and to excite them to deeds of desper-
alton and outrage as a most plausible
excuse for imposing still severer re
strictions for admission into the I'm
ION. Perhaps it may be found neces-
sary to disfranchisc a large proportion
of the people, or to enforce a new or
der of things whereby another and
more effectual deal may be had in favor
of Radicalism, to result in something
like the Brownlow despostism in
Tennessee.
Al any rale it is difficult to prepare
Georgia properly for readmission into
the family of States, for no other rea-
son than that Georgia cast her last
Presidential vote for the Democratic
standard-bearer Seymour and Blair
Notwithstanding the Republican party
has been in the ~asceudancy since re-
construction began its infamous work.
For this Georgia cannot be easily for
given. For it she may undergo sever
al more reconstruction 1arces before
her people are allowed to lie at peace.
These are the real reasons; but the
N given by Radical po-
liticians is that the people are beliger-
ent, and rebeIlious and are constantly
committing all sorts of outrages upon
men and negroes, and that fair
elections cannot be held in the State.
Such are the miserable and diabolical
excuses given for the handling of
Georgia SO often with the red-hot longs
Of reconstruction. We say these are
he ostensible reasons-the over-
,hadowing one is that Georgia is
If the State is committed to a pro
.7isional condition under military es-
and bayonet rule, there is no
when Georgia will be admitted
representation in Congress. Nor
it make any difference whether
shall ever be unless permitted to
select at the ballot-box Representatives
IF our choice to Congress. That this
I'D State will be Democratic there can
pc no doubt upon the mind of any
,ne who understands the determined
ind in1exible spirit of her people in
the advocacy and maintenance Of
rue principle.
Whatever may be our fate in the
hands of an unscrupuluous Congress,
ct US ever remain true to the princi-
Dles of genuine civil liberty. Let no
,ringing mark our conduct; let no
temporary political circumstances in
luce US to swerve one hair's-breadth
rom the true line OF duty Let rs be
peaceable as we are dealing out even
handed justice to all classes of our
white and black. Strive to
improve our material interests and to
make our homes as comfortable as pos
To these let us address our
and when we come to act on
matters of principles, whether in the
of our political views or at
the ballot box, let us do it like men,
brave and undaunted in the cause OF