Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-03

Of the people of the north and the South, and
when they ar the North see that these laws are
made for their oppression, do you not believe
that the men who have descended from revo-
lutionary sires will raise their voices against
them Z Do you not believe that when they
come TO look calmly upon the question be-
tween the North and the South they will form
parties and platforms upon which You can
stand And when that hour comes then
will come the fulfiment of the promised era
of constitutional liberty, which SO confident
ly anticipate and hope Tor to-day. may not
live to see it; but, if do not shall die con-
fdently believing that it will come. know,
my friends, that. in this / run counter to the
feelings that are prevalent in different -por-
lions of our country, but believe this is the
true policy for the South to pursue at present.
The South cannot hasten the day of her de-
livernace by attempting to assume leading
part in the politics of the country to-day.
Let her people quietly and earnestly devote
themselves to the work of improving and
building up their material prosperity, leaving
those who have the power to settle these
questions among themselves, simply saying
to them, ''We know our rights-know they
are invaded and then wait patiently until
we see them divided and at issue with them
selves, and join the party and support the
candidate and the platform that promises
restoration of constitutional liberty 1t is
then that you will hold the balance of politi-
cal power in your own hands, and it is then
that all your rights will once more be restored
and guaranteed. Applause.)
/ am not of those who accept the ''situa-
ton" accept nothing. These cant phrases
that we hear SO much of, about accepting the
situation" and about our rights having been
submitted 70 the ssarbitrament Of the sword
are but the excuses of towards. applause
admit that power prevails over truth; l ad
NIT that power is SO great that it would be
folly to resist it, and therefore am in favor,
myself, Of being acquiescent, and l advise
you to the same course, do not admit that
our rights have ever been submitted to the ar
bitrament of the sword Who has the pow
er to submit your liberties to the arbitrament
of battle Z you never delegated that power to
your representatives. /, as your Executive,
never claimed it, and never, dying or living
will admit it. (Applause.) And then, my
friends, about this much talked of subject of
accepting the situation" You are not called
to acknowledge that you have done wrong
unless you feel it. | don't believe / did any
wrong, and therefore don't acknowledge it.
All that government has right to claim
from any of its subjects is that they will quiet
ly submit to the law Liberty of law is their
inheritance, and submission to the law as long
as it is SUCH is their duty and their obligation,
and it should be their pride. Now, my friends,
having already said more than l intended, it
only remains for me to say how happy am
to see the evidences of prosperity that sur
round you. The first time that saw the
place where your city now stands it was little
more than wilderness. When saw il again
looked upon black and deserted ruins, upon
the sad wrecks of noble fortunes, upon desc
lated hearthstones and upon ruined and
| stricken people. Your city has been devasta-
ted and laid waste by anact of vandalism
darker than aught that ever disgraced the
fame of Turenne. But look npon it to- day,
and the traces of desolatlon and destruction
are no longer visible; but in their stead mag
nificent structures rise upon every hand to
mark the wonderful advance of improvement,
prosperity and material greatness. | rejoice
in it. 1t is but the beginning of the grand
era of prosperity that is yet to come, and |
rejoice to see you going on building your rail
roads, establishing your manufactures, in
auguarating new enterprises of commercial
profit, building up your town, improving your
lands and developing the material resources
within your reach. You will thus 20 on in
creasing until you become wealthy and pow
erful. l say / ejoce in these evidences of
assiduous, earnest labor in things material
because there is little danger in this that a
foreign government can interfere with. Per
severe in this direction; wait quietly and pa
tiently until the tide turns-as sooner OF
later, turn it will, and the day is not far dis
tant when the sun will shine upon you a free,
independent and sovereign State. applause
With these expressions, and with tins advice
to you, have done. i feel that cannot fully
express my gratitude to you all for the kind
ness you have manifested towards me, and
the heartfelt desire have that your ways
may be ways of pleasantness, that your lives
may be prosperous, and that your eyes at last
may close upon your country free, and your
children standing erect, proud representatives
of the grand old Commonwealth of Georgia
(Great and prolonged applause.) s,.