The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-23
RECONSTRUCTION.

OverpoWered.
RECONSTRUCTION.
After the overthrow of the Confeder-
ate government and the surrender Of the
Confederate armies, the work Of restor-
alton Of Federal authority In the South
ern States was commenced, while the cX-
element and passions and prejudices Of
the war were in full blaze. and were
intensified by the assassination Of
President Lincoln. With which 1t was
then unjustly assumed the Confederate
authorities had some connection, but
which was regarded by them as most
adhered to the fortunes Of the Confed-
eracy
If under the Providence Of God the
life OF President Lincoln could havo
been spared. SO that reconstruction and
the restoration Of the Union could have
been brought about under his supervi-
sion. and that OF the officers and soldiers
believe the country would have been
saved from the Introduction OF abnor-
NAL military governments which are
SO unfriendly to civil rights
and political liberty, and SO contrary
to the genius Of our government and
that the people Of the Southern States
would have been saved from much Of the
enormous sacrifices and suffering which
they were compelled TO endure during
the period of reconstruction: the dem
aGogueE in politics, the unchristian per-
secutions by religious bodies, and the
thieTing treasury officials would not
have had SO wide field for their ope-
rations.
And now that we are again citizens
Of the United States. living under the
same government and constitutional
flag, our late adversaries ought not to
Ifsi n n 1ao do i,,- ho nf M
terity, and If they would be wise and
just they should not wish to place our
people in history in the position Of be-
ing unworthy OF the rights, liberty and
character Of citizens Of our great and
common country.
And while have accepted. and do
accept, in good faith, the legitimate re
suits Of the war. and while 7 am, and
VIII be. as true to my allegiance and duty
TO our common government rs any other
citizen can be. l shall insist on my right
to tell the truths which show that In
that grea! struggle we were guided and
controlled by sense of duty and by n
spirit Of patriotism which caused us
to stake life. liberty and property In q
contest with greatly superior power
rather than basely surrender our rights
without struggle.
In this great Centennial exposition Of
Tennessee We have before ussa maGni-
f1cent exhibition OF the results OF South
ern enterprise and prosperity to gladden.
the hearts Of our people and to crafty
the pride Of the people Of this great
State. And to-day the people Of the
South are as earnest in their attachment
to our common government as those OF
any other part OF the Union, and would
make as great aacrifices II need be, In
defense Of our government as could be
made BY any other part Of the Ameri-
can people. Enjoying peace and liberty
to-day, we can refer with pride to the
courage and hero!sm Of our soldiers In
the late war. and to the gallan.ry and
SKIN Of our officers. And when impair
tial history comes to be written we do
not doubt but tina: It Will be seen that
they were never cxcellsd IN the quail
ties of pa tien. endurance and manly
courage by any other peoI lie.
Judge Reagan paid beautiful tribute
10 the character Of the Confederat Re
leaders and the women OF the Confede-
racy. and c'ost-7 ~ saying:
There have been. and there Sill may
he those who affect 10 speak lightly OF
the Confedcracy: but n cause and 4 coun.
Try which 1t required moro than four