Year: 1866

H"NG P4tlCGu US4OAG JOu WV
record Of the South and that Of
the North. Let the world decide
which is entitled to honor; which


to shame. l have drawn in dark


colors, but alas ! in too true ones,
the condition Of our country, and


| now turn to the discussion Of
what should be our policy. In the


anomalous condition in which we


are placed, it is a matter Of great
difficulty to mark out the proper
course for us to pursue, but there


are certain cardinal principles Of


which we should never lose sight.


The first Of these is, that as we


accepted the terms offered to US by


the North, in good faith, we are


bound by every dictate Of honor,


to abide by them fully and honest


ly. They ere noncthc less binding


on Us, because the dominant and


unscrupulous party at the North


refuse to accord to US our just
rights. Let us, at least, prove our


selves worthy Of the rights we


claim; let us set an example Of
good faith, and we can then appeal


with double effect to the justice


and magnanimity of the North.


These virtues, l would fain hope, are


not totally extinct among that people,
and there are brave men there, who are


battling for justice, for constitutional
liberty, for the equality of all the States,
and for the rights of the South. The only


hope, not alone for the South, but for
freedom itself, on this continent, lies in


the success Of this party. We are their


natural allies, and l would sacrifice much
where honor and principle are not


invaded, and then would not yield one
iot or tittle-to strengthen their hands


in the great contest, which is soon to


decide the fate of Constitutional Liberty


and Republican Institutions in the


United States. The President of the
! United States has lent the great in


fucnce which his high position, his


strong intellect, his firm purpose and his


indomitable will, give, to this new con-
seryativc party, and to hissupport every
Southern man should rally cordially.
We may perhaps feel that he has not
gone to the extent of his power or Of our
expectations in carrying out his policy
to its legitimate ends, but we cannot
forget that he has been the only bulwark
to stand between our unhappy country
and certain, irretrie7able and everlasting
ruin. But for him the horrors we endured
during the war would have been far
surpassed by those ofpeacc. And though
differing with him in many points,
cheerfnlly accord to him the highest
praise for the brave and patriotic stand
he has taken in defence of the South and
ofthe Constitution. There is one other
point on which there should be no mis-
understanding as to our position, no loop
on which to hang q possible misconstruc-
ton as to our views, and that is the
abolition of slavery. l have already
intimated that the mode by which the
North secured the acquiescence of the
South in the consmmation of this pur-
pose was breach of faith on her part.


Ofall the inconsistencies Of which the
North has been guilty-.and their name
is Lcgion-none is greater than that by
which she forced the Southern States,
while rigidly excluding them from the
Union, to ratify the constitutional amend
ment abolishing slavery, which they
could do legally, only as States Of that
Union. But the deed has been done, and
for one, do honestly declare that I
never wish to see it revoked. Nor do [
believe that the people of the South
would now remand the negro to slavery
if they had the power to do so unques-
toned. Under our paternal care, from
a mere handful he grew to be 4 mighty
host. lie came to US aheathen, We made
him Christian. Idle, vicious, savage in
his own country in ours he became in
dustrious, gentle, civilized. Let his
history as slave be compared hereafter
with that which he will make for him
self as a freeman, and by the result Of
that comparison We are willing to be
judged. 4 great responsibility is lifted
from our shoulders by this emancipation,
and we willingly commit his destiny to
his own hands, hoping that he may prove
himself worthy of the new position in
which he has been placed. As a slave,
he was faithful to US; as a freeman, let
US treat him as a friend. Deal with him
frankly, justly, kindly, and my word for
it he will reciprocate your kindness,
clinging to his old home, hisown country
and his former masters. Ifyou wish to
see him contentcd, Industrious, useful,
aid him in his effort to elevate himself in
the scale of civilization, and thus fit him
not only to enjoy the blessings o(frccdom,
but 10 appreciate its duties.