Year: 1878

wrong and Outrage that cannot be defended
or stoned for sufficiently.


What tho South wants now Is evidently
to be let alone. That is what IL demanded
prior to open rebellion. II cannot
brook any subordination of its purposes,
wishes, or actions to the Union, the Consti-
tuition, and the General Government II
lives in an atmosphere Of State Rights,
which are to DO respected rs superior to the
requirements Of the Federal laws and pow
ers. This spirit is that which led to seces-
sion and rebellion and involved the country
in war to save the national life. This spirit
was not surrendered at Appomatox, but has
been fostered since, and now stands in open
defiance to the Constitution and laws of the
Government of the United States 1t is this
spirit which now solidi6es the South in
purpose which is only removed in form from
that of armed rebellion. The spirit is that
Of rebellion, though it may not have reached
the point where arms are resorted to in its
maintenance.


The Observer intimates unmistakably that
the South does not now enjoy the rights of
persons and property, and that the rights of
States are not properly respected. In this
1t does wrong to its own candor. Every
State In this Union Is treated alike. This
Government is founded upon law, funda-
mental and statutory; and each State,
no matter whether II be Maine
or California, Massachusetts, or Lou
| isiana, Connecticut or North Carolina IL is
bound by every consideration of loyalty
and honor TO respect that Constitution and
those laws, as an entirety, so long as they
hold relations within the Union. There is
nothing asked Of Southern State that is
not strictly exacted of every State at the
North and West and without violating the
symmetry of government, neither can be
tolerated In the least infraction of the Con-
stitution and statutes upon which it Is
based. The laws relating to citizenship
and the sacred rights of suffrage are appli-
cable to each and every State alike, and the
penalties for violation cannot be suspended
in either of them without weakening the
Government and subverting its powers.


The violation of the rights of citizenship
and the corruption of the elective franchise
with gross fraud, are so patent that jour
nal of the candor of the Observer in the
light Of history, will not presume to deny
the justice of the allegations to that effect.
II is only through these that n Solid South
has been reached. 1t is only by these agen-
cies that Democratic majority has been Sc
cured in Congress. 1t was only by outrages
the most ntrOcious, and murders the most
foul, that the last Presidential election was
brought TO an Electoral Commission to per-
feet the work which belonged TO the people.
1t was only in proportion as the voters of
the country were despoiled of their rights
that q resort to new expedients in the choice
Of Chief Magistrate was made necessary.
It is in this way and through such improper
and unlawful agencies that Solid South"
has been accomplished 1t is dishonor to
the South that it is so, and the fruit it has
hoped to gather through wrong and violence
will turn 10 ashes on its lips if they are
ever reached.


II is well that the fact should be made
known to the whole country even now that
the South have determined not to respect
the Constitution aud the laws under their
governmental relations to the Union. That
fact cannot be known too soon or be pro-
vidcd for too early. The stability of the
Government and the integrity Of the Union
depend upon full and perfect respect for
the law and the principles of our organization
by each and every member Of the family OF
States. The moment that any section OF
member of the family is released from q full
aud unreserved subordination to the Fed.
eral power as centred in the Government
that moment the Union is shattered ani
the Republic is in peril. For these reason,
we can say to North Carolina and its States
Rights defenders that they are drifting into
dangerous waters, in which there are nc
safeguards between them and open Treason
aud rebellion, and all know what that will
mean should they be repeated.