Year: 1866

Fell0p- Citizens Of Johnston County: 81.


Will you permit one who has enjoyed your
confidence in the past to speak a few words
of soberness and truth for our common good
and the good of posterity?


Though we are permitted by the authority
of the government of the United States to
enjoy in part the civil rights guaranteed to
us, our political rights are withheld; we
have no voice in the administration of the
federal government, We are taxed without
being represented. But these things are
done in accordance with our own actions, for
we have refused to conform to the terms laid
down by the Legislative branch of the fed
eral government.


The Senate and House of Representatives
are the sole judges of the qualifications of
their members, and until we conform to the
laws and terms offered us by Congress our
condition will not be bettered. From bad it
will rapidly become worse, until like the
wayward children of Israel we shall groan
under an Egyptian bondage. This is no
sketch of the fancy, my fellow-citizens. It
is plain statement of facts, which appeals
to the reason of all, that unless we submit to
the requirements of the law-making power,
even those civil rights which we now enjoy
will be taken from US and military despo-
tism be established over US. Further resis-
tance or even talk of resistance to the author
ity and requirements of the federal govern
ment is mad folly, the bitter fruits of which
we shall soon taste.


We hear men talking about their rights
appeal to them to know where, how, when
and by what authority they enjoy the rights
which they are now permitted to exercise
They seem to forget that those rights were for
feited by participation in the rebellion. We
denied the true faith and repudiated the au-
thority of the federal government. When
Gen. Johnston surrendered, we stood as cul-
prits at the mercy of the government, with
out the shadow of right as loyal citizens.
We had not only forfeited such rights poiti-
cal and civil, but even our lives We were
in the hands and at the mercy of the victors.


Fellow-cirizens, we must go back to our
fathers house Like the prodigal, who spent
lis patrimony in riotous living, we have fed
too long upon the husks. Let US confess our
sins and forsake them, and we will be receiv-
ed with open arms and glad smiles.


The terms proposed by Congress, known
regarded as a god-send by those now most
clamorous for their rights, eighteen months
ago. 1t makes all persons born or naturali-
zed in the United States, subject to the laws
thereof, citizens of the United States and of
the States wherein they reside. 1t forbids
any State making or enforcing any law
abridging the rights of citizens of the Uni
ted States, or of depriving them of life, lib
erty and property without the equal protec-
ton of the law.


Representation by it is apportioned among
the States of the Union according to their
respective members, leaving it with the
States to say who shall and who shall not
vote. If the States allow the freedmen to
vote, they are counted in the ratio of repre-
sentation; if not, they are not counted. The
right of suffrage is left with the States


Itexcludes from Office all who have hereto
fore held Office under any State or the United
States, taking the oath to support the Consti-
tuition, and who afterwards engaged in the
rebellion. But leaves it discretionary with
Congress to remove such disability by two
thirds vote.


1t forbids the United States or any State to
assume the payment of the Confederate debt,
and declares it unconstitutional for the gov
ernment to pay any claim for loss sustained
by those in rebellion.
This. fellow citizens, is the door opened to
us. Though it may prove bitter dose to
some, let US not forget that we have sinned
with high hand and outstretched arm
against the best government ever known to
man. The remedy is mild, compared with
the enormity of the crime which we have
committed


The most important inquiry is, how are we
to manifest our Willingness to accept the pro-
posed terms. The answer is, elect honest and
patriotic men to the General Assembly and
elect Union Governor. If the next Legisla-
ture will adopt the amendment by bare ma
jority, Congress will admit US again to fellow
ship in the glorious Union. When that hap
py time comes, it viii be glory enough for
one day.. &, = n.
Remember the scriptural injunction ii
thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and filthy
hand offend thee, cut it off-it is better that
one or two members suffer, than that the
whole body perish.


And So my fellew-cltizens, it is better that
the present flock of office cormorants be OK
cluded, many Of whom were active partici
pants in the rebellion, than that the whole