Year: 1868




1t will be remembered that the Georgia
Constitutional Convention appointed COM
mttee to visit Washington and to present
the list of names recommended for relief
from political disabilities The Committee
performed their duty, and the following is
an extract from their report 1t seems that
there will be no difficulty in the way of re-
lieving those from political disability whom
the loyal people of any State may choose to
select for Office: g4fi57aH'


"Congressmen seem to be somewhat eau
tious about relieving persons in rebel States
from political disabilities. and we are in
duced to believe that very few, if any, will
be finally relieved until our election is over
and it is known how the election has gone,
and how those desiring and needing relief
have stood in the contest. l'''''


We are assured by leading men in both
houses of Congess, and high officials in the
military and judicial departments of the
government, that should Georgia ratiiy the
constitution and elect sound Union recon
structionists-t regular nominees of the
party-to fill the offices of the new govern
ment, there will be no difficulty in having
any true and worthy man who used his in
fluence to bring about that result relieved
from all disabilities. Any man who may be
elected to office on the reconstruction ticket,
and can show that he supported in good
faith the ratification of the constitution, and
sustained the regular candidates of the par,
ty in the election, will be relieved in time
for him to enter upon the discharge of the
duties Of his office"
The Committee makes other interesting
statements, which we quote as follows: q
PARTY lines are very sharply drawn, and
parties differ widely, and political feeling is
very bitter in the whole North. 1t seems to
he the fixed purpose of Congress to SO or
ganize the Southern States that they will I've
controlled by true and reliable Union men
and reconstructionists. 1t is said that the
President, when he proposed to organize the
rebel States, disqualified men when he con-
sidered them inlmical to his policy or dam
gcrous to the government. Congress pro-
poses to do no more, only to organize accor-
ding to law, and for the preservation of the
whole nation. H -r.,


The Republicans say the war was fought
and won ON their ideas, and that they he
lieve these ideas right, and the opposing
ones wrong and dangerous. They urge that
there can be no permanent peace; no endur-
ing prosperity in the South, until the organ
lied State governments are in the hands of
Union men, who deprecate secession, disor-
ganizatlon. and awlessness


This heing the known fixed determination
OF the most earnest men of the nation, the
party controlling the war-making and peace
preserving po~e of our government, it is
utterly useless for men at the South, at the
hazard OF all that we cherish ON earth, to
contend against it.


In view of these facts, let Union men in.
Georgia take courage. Let us put forth our
wisest and best men for office, and triuln-
phantly elect them, then peace and good
government will be secured life. liberty,
and property will be safe in Georgia with
out the constant surveillance of the military.


Those who align themselves with the re-
construction party, and aid in restoring the
State to the Union, will be relieved when
they need it, while unrepentant rebels, and
those who oppose reconstruction, will not be
relieved and cannot hold office - a.j ,


The issue is now fairly made in Georgia,
and it is Union or disunion. 1t seems that
Union men must now decide whether we
are to live in peace at home, doing unto our
neighl,ors as VIC would have them do unto
ms, or be ostracised from society or driven
from our homes. We have shown all liber-
ality to those who once ruined u.s. We have
proposed to strike hands in peace and amity
and forget the terrible past. We have been
moderate and conciliatory. We have oppos-
ed all prescription. We have opposed trials
by military commissions and confscation of
property. We have done better than our
opponents ever dreamed we would do. Our
actions have met the approval of all good
men. Now we are met with the old cry that
these same secessiOnists uttered in 1860 and
1861, NEGRO equality!" They told us then
If we did not secede we should have "negro
equality" They now say if you do not give
them the offices we shall have negro equal
ity" This is as false now as it was in 1860
They lured some and forced Others then into
their ruinous policy. They are now trying
the same means


Think of it, Union men! Think of it,
you who have been called submissionists,
tories, and soap-tais in the past, just be-
cause you would not admit that secession
was the only sovereign remedy for all evils.
We tried the rule of these men then, and we
found that they were neither wise, just, nor
successful; and we cannot trust them again.


FOSTER BLODGETT,


]. r. PARROTT.


Let the people ratify the Constitution,
elect the loyal ticket, return to the Union
and all will be well.