Year: 1866

meet delegates from the other Southern States
in Philadelphia, on the 6rst Monday in Septem-
Der next By the strong ties of common suffer-
ings in the past, and the dangers present and
future which surround us, we appeal TO you,
once more, to come to the rescue in moment
of immin ent danger to yourselves and our coun-
try. We had all hoped that when treason was
beaten IN the field, and her armed traitors cap
tive to the Government which they had wickedly
sought to destroy, we OF the South who, through
four long years OF untold sutferings and horrors,
adhered to her fortunes and her banner amidst
all the changes and vicssitudes oil war, would
at least receive protection to all the constitu-
tional rights OF American citizens We relied
confidently on the sense of justice and gratitude
OF the loyal citizens of the United states, through
their Senators and Representatives in Congress,
10 guard, in the most eflectusi manner, our
future peace and security against the malevo-
lence, vindictiveness, hate, and 0Sloyalty of the
late Rebels. This confidence we Selieve has
not been misplaced. We relied, too, as we had
a right to rely, on the earnest and efficient Co
operation OF the Executive OF the Nation placed
in power by the great Union party OF the coun-
try because of his supposed devotion to the
Government, and his adherence of treason,
and his desire to see Intelligent conscious traitors
punished and made disreputable. We confidently
expected his hearty cooperation with the politi-
cal department of the Government in providing
such Governments, In the States lately in re-
0ellion as would protect the country from con-
splraors, in official positions, against its peace;
and secure to loyal citizens life, liberty, and pro-
perty, together with the inestimable privilege of
1mpresSlng upon the mlndS oil others his C0nSC1-
entous convictions of truth, by speech, or
through the medium OF the press. We also had
eason to hope that the freedman, as we'll as the
loyal white man, in the South, would find ample
protection for all his rights as an American
C1tizen, by actual military torce If necessary,
until equal laws and corrected public sentiment
would place them on firm and enduring
basis In these hopes, predicateed on on
President, we have been grievously disappointed
cruelty deceived. We have neither seen urea
son made odious nor traitors disreputable by
any act OF the Executive OF the Nation. We
haze seen traitors-leadiLg, intelligent, con-
sCious traitors-bearing away from the national
capital with eXultaton, in the same pocket, in
demnity Tor the past and endorsement and
security for the future, in the form of special
pardons and appointments to Federal office;
while leading intelligent Unionists were made
conscious that fidelity TO the Government was
not the passport to Executive favor; but, on the
contrary, servile subserviency to the President
apd his policy as against the deliberate and
matured judgment of the loyal people of the
United States, and the constitutional power of
the Senators and Representatives in Congress,
was the only condition required of applicants
tor favor, whose claims, thus sustained, were,
in no instance, impaired by reasonable antece.
dents.


''We have seen our States that remained in re-
bellon to the close of the war, without an eX-
ception, RENTED 10 the control of Rebel
magistracy, elected by Rebels TO the exclusion
of the friends eft the Union. With one voice we
can testify 10 the encouragement given to trai-
tors ard reasonable sentiments in the South in
the past twelve months; and the deep gloom
and dependency which have settled upon the
minds and hearts OF the loyal people IN those
States.


'When the effects of the Presidents policy was
first felt to be pernlcious and ruinous, we were
justihed-certainlv eXcusable-in believing that
it was but an error in judgment which would be
corrected by him with promptitude as soon as
discovered. We had well hoped that he would
hold to lust accountability those who, we
hnIin had gn urn al nln
and apparent magDanimity. They have doubt
less understood him far better than we. The
entire course of the Rebels seems to meet his
unqualified assent and appreciation. The cleo
ton of an unpardoned Rebel to the Chief Mags-
tracy of Rebel State, who, in his first message
to the Legislature, denounced the war on the
part OF the United States against the Rebellion
as the most unholy and disgracetul IN character
ever practlsed by Christian nation, had the
effect OF procuring his speedy pardon. The
entire control by late Rebels and present con-
sp1ators against the peace OF the country, of
eleven States; men who cherish the most deadly
hatred of all lovers of the Government and are
threatening them with violence, as in the begin
ming OF the Rebellion: who denounce the loyal
people OF the loyal States, and heap invectives
on their loyal Senators and Repres entatives in
Congress, who, they pray, may be torciDly
elected by the bayonet from the halls of the
National Capitol, and the Government admins
tered by the will OF the President; these ana
such as these, together with their Northern
sympathiZers, are esteemed tit associates and
counsellors OF the Chief Magistrate of che nation,
and constitute the material out OF which q new
party-the johnson party--is to be formed to
guide the country through its present perils, and
mould its future destiny.


"The leaders OF this movement are well under
stood by the loyal country. The President and
his friends, well knowing that he has forfeited
the confidence of the great Union party, which
elected him, have madly determined to organize
new party OF this 'speckled progeny of many
coniunctions.' The effect has been to consoli-
date and crystalline the Union party. 1t stands
to.0ay more compact, powerful, and confident
than at any period of ITS existence. lis triumph
in the approaching fall elections IS not only GER
tain, but will be overwhelming. What is the
duty vi the Unconditional Union men of The
South, and what is 10 be their position? our
duty is TO act with the friends OF the Govern
ment, VINO are our friends, ana our only friends.
We must take position with the loyal people and
Congress or the nation, against the machina-
tons OF the new coalition of Rebels and their
Northern sympathlzers.


''We can haveno atfiliaton with those who de-
ride and hate us because of our love of the Union
now and in the past, and who-there is abun-
dant reason to believe-are at this moment
again conspiring to overthrow the Governm ent.


''If those who are to constitute this new party
should attain power and possess themselves of
the control of the Government, what considera-
ton may we expect at their hands, what mercy
can we hopey They have proved faithless to
every pledge and obligation, however sacred
both before and since the Rebellion. The most
solemn oalhs are used by them as mere cloak
for treachery; and magnammity and mercy on
the part OF an outraged Government aud It's
friends are lmpudently and insultlngly derided
the moment they are relieved from dread OF
punishment. No history furnishes an example
OF such incorr1gible guilt and shameless men
dacity.


'To the Union party, and to that alone we look
foI relief IRON our present unhappy condition,
and tor permanent security in the future. The