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.100*1
"WISDOM. JUSTICE' AND MODERATION.
VOLUME XXI.
Imiu Cmrier
ROME, GA., FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL 5, 1867,.
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NEW SERIES--“NO.
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Rates of Subscription. -
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, t,sof Five or more ene copy will be
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-P»f er M. DWINELL,
Proprietor.
0\h.h ADVERTISEMENTS.
I c.i« of Land, by Administrators, Exec-
or Guardians, are required by law to
_-f ,j on the first Tuesday in each month.
K; He hours of ten in the forenoon
i three ■" the afternoon, at the Court
iJiM! in^the county in which the property
s tn< ‘ se sales mnst * >e g* Ten ia
J VI ietazette 40 days previous.
I tntirtsof the sale of personal property
I ‘. he riven in like manner, through -
ruvruette Id days previous to sale d
-^S?eto®-’ !, to« and Creditors of an es-
|li.E«ttih piibliVhed 40 days.
tT.Hw the flipplthations will be made f to
LfL-tnf Ordinafv for leave to sell land
r stb „ nubli^hed foY* two months.
it‘letters, of Administration,
r ardianshio 4c.. mist be publishod 30
Jj" _f„r dismission trom Administration,
I monthly- fil months—for dismission from
Ifuardianship. 4H days.
™ Rules for the fortteloseure of Mortgages
must be published monthly for four months
a_for establishing lo t papers, for the full
Epaceofthree months—for compelling titles
Jfrom Executors or Administrators, where
Ibcnd has been given by the deceased, for the
Ifjll space ot three msnths.
1 publications will .[always be continued
Recording to these, the legal requirements,
IuJbj otherwise ordered, at the following
RAyES.
IsheritFs Sales per leVy df ten lines or
I leu .i... t ••••■ $ 3 00
■Sberifi’s Mortgage fi. fa. sales, • per
I lew, ...... • . 5 00
|T«i Collector’s sales, per levy...... 5 00
Icitations for letters of Adniulstration... 3 00
(citations for letters ol Guardianship..... 3 00
Tfotice ot application hr dismission
from Administration,.. . ...... 6 00
K'oiice of application for ri'smission
J from Guardianship,. ..._.• 4 00
(Application to sell land. - ... 6 00
Eoticeto Debtorsand Creditors .. 3. 00
pale of Land, persquars 1.. 5 00
If,i!e of perishable property, i 0 days... 2 00
E-tray Sotiees, Ho days 4' 00
foreclosure of Mortgage; per square..; 4 00
[for man advertising his wife, (in ad
vance] 10 00
Sunday School Celebration.
The Methodist, Presbyterian and
kptist Sunday Schools ofjt-he city—and
pitobe hoped that the Episcopal
pdieol will alsojoin them—have decid-
dtohave a union Celebration on the
pstofMay. These anniversaries have
?en observed for many years in Rome,
fcreatlyto the delight of the young
folks, and we hope that the coming
Celebration will eclipse all former de-
onstrations of happiness, both in num-
rand in fullness of joy. Let a com
mendable rivalry among the different
Schools, bringing every child of the city
plo the ranks of some one of them.—
Celebrations have been among
|he proudest and ; happiest days of
l0me - May there be no abatement of
Interest or happy results.
I The full programme of arrangements
['ll Iaa( l e known in ample time.
New Advertisements.
| Dissolution-, Noble Bro’s & Mitchell,
I Internal Retenue Tax Notice by
t Watson.
. Strat Notice by J. G. Pace of
jde County.
r-UANGE U f Schedule by Rome R. R.
THINK A MOMENT.
A panic * ora fear of some greater
evil in the future, says the Milledgevile
Recorder, seems to actuate the minds of
some ; and as we think, hasty and un
called for advice has been asked and
tendered that could well.have been de
layed for. a time at leasts until the flush
of surprise or overdrawn fear had time
to resurvey u hat had been done and
what after a calm consideration was
best to do under the surrounding cir
cumstances and influences.
The legislation of Congress, actuated
as it has been, by malignant hate to
wards the South, assuming to itself the
office of Judge, jury and executioner,
has passed a most outrageous and un
constitutional act over the veto, of
the President. But so manifestly is
the military b'll unconstitutional that
we are far from submitting to it with
slavish servility if there is the least
•shadow of a shade of a chance for the
South to vindicate her civil status, and
State organizations before the Supreme
Court of the United States.
If President Johnson will throw* a
little more political action in his deal
ings with the Radicals, and take the
responsibility of principles declared, he
will be no mean obstacle in the way of
dangerous and reckless legislation.—
We are aware that the President is but
an executive officer, but his position
and his oath, gives him an advantage
that can be wielded with terrible effect
against all unconstitutional enactments.
Andrew Jackson had the nerve that
made the Congress of his day, look not
with contempt upon the occupant of
the White House, for it knew his power
and the will that backed it.
The Military bill that the President
bas so ably analyzed, and exposed its
unconstitutional and usurping powers,
can, if he will in our opinion, so open
the door, that the South can be readi
ly heard before the. Supreme Court.—
He is not only President, but Com
mander-in-chief- of the Army and
Navy, and as such, the Military auth
orities are under his control. It is
{easy enough to make an issue, with the
appointing military authorities, and a
command from the President, that
upon the writ of a quo warranto by a citi
zen or any Governor of a State, as to
the power of the military, that the
case must be adjudicated before a civil
tribunal, we think that the entrance to
the Supreme Court could be 1 effected,
not with the difficulties that many sur
mise. Where there is a will; there is a
way, only it may require a little nerve
and s esponsibility to find it.
We hope that Gov. Jenkins will be
able to make an issue, which we believe
he could dojin such a way as to demand
a hearing before the Supreme Court.—
We have not got our consent to believe
that, that tribunal is closed against us,
no matter what wrong Congress may do.
t^We have received a circular stat-
'£ t <*t about the 1st of April, proxi-
,°’ en. Early’s] Valley Campaign of
‘ r ginm. during the year 1864, will be
| Ue ’ contain about 240 pages.
,e la j' °fthe profits of the publica-
n wt 1 be given to the Memorial As-
<•'* ton for the decoration of the
ves of Confederate soldiers..
■, f' ce P er C °P- V Sh Dozen copies §9.
|<j d ress Geo. E. W. Nekton, Augusta/
ReveDae Tax Notice.
,; s ’ * ^ at son gives notice in
aper tliji.t a nparties are required
e m their taxable property for
■ 11 ending March 1st, 1868, and
J !"“ me f° r the year ending Dec-
08, before the 19l h of Aprll-
•>, ap P ea ‘ s tcoml the decisions of
•itin ^ !sessor must be made in
* nolle medi&tely ^ date -
An Unfortunate Aflair.
We learn that the following sad cir
cumstances trahspired in Chattooga
county, in the neighborhood of Mel
ville, on Monday, the 25th inst. It had
been reported that a white man, sup
posed to be a horse thief, or some out
law, was stopping at some negro cabins,
in a very out of the way and obscure
place. Several of the neighbors—Messrs.
Allison , Cook, Fry R. S. Foster and two
of his sons Kim hen and Moses,11 went
together to the vicinity for the purpose
of arresting the supposed refugee from
jus : iec. They surrounded- the house,
and Mr. R. S. Foster went to the door
arid Ordered the man, whose name has
since been ascertained to be Staff, to
surrender and he should not be hurt.
Staff started towards the back door as
if to make his escape. Mr. Moses Fos
ter met him there, and again ordered
him to-surrender, but Staff started back
towards a window^ over which, two guns
were suspended. Mr. Moses Foster,
supposing that he intended to^take one
of the guns to use against him,. shot
him with a pistol, producing instant
death. t-
Mr. Foster immediately gave himself
up to the civil authorities, but as it wes
evident that he was actuated by good
intentions, he was discharged.
It appears that Mr. Staff was' staying
at that place for the pupose of being
doctored.
From Washington.
Washington, March 27.—Yester
day's dispatches from New York, Bal
timore, Philadelphia and Boston, rep
resent that the coast steamers- had ar
rived safely as late as due. The steam
ers Boston, Chinaand Chicago had al
so arrived.
WASH ington, March 27.—An official
statenient shows tha;t, thirty-seven rail
roads in the Department of the Cumber
land owed, on the first of February, oh
material purchased from government,
fiye and a half millions of dollars, prin
cipal and interest.
It is staled on good authority that
General Dick Taylor was pardoned.
Confirmed—Mr. G.Tavlor. of Tennes
see, Commissioner of Indian Affdirs;
James Worthen, of Tennessee, Indian
Agent and Southern Supermtenden
cy.
From Congress.
SENATE.
•The statement ot the Bank of Com
merce shows that Senator Thomas, of
Maryland; had withdrawn from the
bank a large amount of: funds for the
purpose of discrediting Fedebal bonds.
Referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee.
A resolution devoting fifty thousand
dollars to the Freedmen’s Bureau fund
to purchase and distribute seeds in the
South, was passed.
A resolution forbidding an increase
of pay, but allowing the Clerk of the
House to designate Northern papers to
publish the laws and treaties, was
passed.
The Judiciary Committee reported
on the New Yerk Custom House. The
evidence furnished by the House shows
nothing in it implicating Mr. Doolittle
or Mr. Patterson.
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Stevr ns moved a resuscitation of
the Select Committee on Southern rail
roads, wbich was.adopted.
The Senate’s adjournment resolution
was amended to meet on the first
Wednesdays in June and .September.
The vote was yeas 75 nays 51. This
vote indicates the strength of the im-
peachers in the House.
A resolution, adverse to the allow
ance of foreign claims, for property de
stroyed by the army during the war,
was passed.
A protest against the formation of a
domininion in Canada, was passed.
A resolution expressing sympathy for
the people of Ireland, was passed.
An amendment disp -raging the Fen
ian movement, as. leading to useless
bloodshed, was rejected. Yeas 10,
nays 102.
A resolution declaring that Mr.
Smyth, the New York Collector, ought
to be removed, and sending the evi
dence to the President was passed.
A resolution amending the wool tar
iff by striking out the paragraph com
mencing with “webbings” the ^words
“un mixed with silk,” was passed.
The House then adjourned till 12
to-mo; row, which defeats the pending
joint resolution.
From New Orleans.
New Orleans, M»ich 27.—General
Sheridan has removed Attorney Gener
al Herron, Mayor Munroe and Judge
Abell, and appointed B. L. Lynch, At
torney General, Edward Heath, Mayor,
and W. W. Howe. Judge of the 1st
District Court. The removed officers
were ordered to transfer the appurte
nances of their offices to their .succee
ds.
The Levees here and above are re
ported yielding. Apprehensions of an
inundation of the whole lower valley
are .felt.
From New York.
New York, March 17.—The Govern
ment is selling gold almost daily.
From Charleston.
Charleston, March 27.—A large ne
gro meeting and a subsequent torch
light procession, attacked the street
cats, which were subsequently guarded
by the police.
missinners to adjust sequestrated debts,
was referred to the Judiciary Cominit-
A bill appointing three ' commission
ers to'pfefer claims against the money
seized id the Citizen's Bank of New Or
leans, Was passed.
A bill withholding Agricultural Col
lege scrip from the rebel States until
represented, was passed, and goes to
the President.
A bill fixing the day upon which the
bankrupt bill shall take effect, was re
ferred to the Jiidicary Committee.
Various adjournment propositions
were discussed. Finally a resolution
that both Houses adjourn on Thursday,
was passed.
__ After a short executive session, the
Senate adjourned.
From Memphis.
' MekfIus, March 26. • -The National
Bank is in the hands of the Receiver.
The Pepositora are safe, but it is said
that the State looses, heavily.
From Nashville.
Nashville, March 26.—Gov. Brown-
low bos commissioned a negto captain
in the State guard.
VETO MESSAGE.
THE SUPPLEMENTAL EECGN-
' SRUCTION BILL. '
THE PRESIDENT’S OBJECTIONS..
The Bill Passed Over' the Presfo
■ dent’s Veto. T ** 1
The President on Saturday afternoon
returned to the House of Representa
tives the -Supplementary Reconstruc
tion bill: accompanied by the following
message, giving his reasons for qbt sign
ing it: ; j .
To the House of Representaiieos
rule.. A plain statement of these facts
makes tins evident.
In all these States there are existlhg
constitutions, formed in'the accustooded
way by t he people. Congress, how evfer,
declares that these constitutions are jfot
“loypl and republican,” and requires
the'people to form them anew. : What
then, in the opinion of Congress^ is nec
essary to mike the constitution of a
•Slate "loyal and republican ?” The
original act answers the questions: It
is universal negro suffrage—a 'question
which the Federal - Constitution leaves
to theStates themselves. All this leg-
litical freedom. Absurd, preposterous,
is it/hscbffand a satire onfrge firms of-"
constitutional liberty,.' Tof . forms ? ofqa
government to be prescribed by - .iqilifjU
tury lea le.s, and the right of suffrage. .
to be exercised at the' poibt of the‘ "
sword.”'' Jn-; - oil i.\ n».-: Loiohost
I confidently’ believe that ih'ei,t;m«"o
will come.when these States.*HI again. M
occupy tbeiijrrue positions in the Union.’ ..
The barriers which now seem to obsti
nate must yield to an enligHtehed and
just public opinion, and sooner or later b
unconstitutional and op Tesaiyelegisla-oo
tion will be effaced from our statute
isiative machinery of martial law, mili- books] When this shall have been con-,
tary co-etcion and. political disfrnn- sumated/I pray Sod'tbht the errors bf'
chisement'is avowedly forth at purpose,
and hone other. The existing coristi-
the past may be forgotten, and that"'*
BL- c once mote, we shall be a : happy, united ,-i
I have considered the bill -entitled 1 tutions of the ten States conform to the and prosperous people, and that at last ._
“ ‘ ’ * 'after il.e bitferahd^ eveh'trul.experience
Ifanv In, ° rmati0n W&nted -
laesteri 0 " 6 Can S ' vo the ia formation
ist that ,! Q ,he followin g letter we.
Rnv W!i ^ no ^ - ,e neglected :
O- TsvaLB, Ala., March 19, ’67.
Titos ]° mm °nwealth :
‘Uiarn h d Ue "fo’ A., sons of Rev.
# ®a, Were rah ? Blount county, Al-
ase, Ohio w? Prisoners at Camp
e J' »e re siefe p 60 * aSt hear d from
% infi - pneumonia.
l » . “ a ios “f their fate address
”'dU A- S. Likin-,
Huntsville, Ala
NT, ]
ENOE, >-
67. J
Stamp on Bonds to inake Title of
Land.
The following letter, to a gentleman
of this city, will bo of interest to our
readers:
Treasury Department,
OmcE or Internal Revenue,
Washington, March 16,1867.
Sin I reply to' your letter of the lltli
inst., that a contract for the sale ofland,
or to make a title deed to to the pur
chaser on .the paiymen t of the purchase
money, requires a five cent stamp as an
agreement for each sheet or piece of
paper upon which it is written Very
respectfully, Tho’s Harland,
Deputy Commissioner.
It appears from the above that a con
tract for the conveyance of real estate
requires only a five cent stamp, ho mat
ter bow large is the purchase money
agreed'to-be' n ' ' I 0 * -'—’
Congressional.
HOUSE
Washington, March 26.—A resolu
tion ordering a survey for a ship canal
around Louisville, was pa/sedj|
Mr. Butler and Mr. Bingham, in per
sonal explanations, assailed each other
furiously.
Butler said he had examined the evi
dence for other purposes than:. torse of
proving Mrs. Surratt’s unjustifiable
hanging. He said that the memoran
dum book in which Booth kept, day by
day, his thoughts, plans and motives,
was taken, from his dead body and with
held, though his pipe, spurs and knife
were presented to .the Court. This
memorandum book was in the posses
sion of the Judiciary Committtee. with
eighteen pages of entries, made prior to
Mr. Lincoln's assassination, cut out.—
Butler wanted to know, was that book
complete when it fell into the hands of
the Government. Why was the diary
withheld from the court ? Does it not-
charge gallant soldiers who sat-‘in the
court with wrong ? They did not see
the diary, otherwise they wonld have
judged differently. Who spoliated
that booi? Who suppresed that evi
dence ? Who caused that innocent wo-
to be hanged ? There is still in the di
ary words written a few hours before
Booth’s death. Butler, quoted from
memory: “I have endeavored to cross
the Potomac five times, .but failed. I
propose to return to Washington and
give myself up, anfl clear myself from
the great crime.”
Butler continued—“Why was not
Col. Conger allowed to tell what was
found on Booth’s body? Butler be
lieved the diary would show up to a cer
tain hour that Booth intended, to ab
duct Lincoln. ,
Mr. Bingham . replied.excitedly, and
was called to order for using words dis
reputable. He claimed'that words writ
ten after the act .were inadmissable as
evidence, and denied any. knowledge of
the spoliation of the diary. He disa
vowed .the responsibility for the con
duct of the prosecution-
SENATE. , ;
The amendment providing'for Com*-
Donation ol Edwin Forrest.
Philadelphia, March 21.—John T.
Ford, Esq., Dear Sir :—I herein enclose
to your care the sum of fire hundred
dollars, to be sent by the safest and
most expeditious way in aid of our suf
fering brethren in the South. -
God hi nself only knows the fullest
extent of their present sufferings. It is
enough for us to know they greatl/
need our assistance. Let us then, at
once, do all we cab to relieve their dire
distress—not stop to question what is
constitutional, for “charity itself full-
fills the law. Edwin Forrest.
Mr. Ford has sent the above amount
to Mrs. Benjamin C. Howard, of Balti
more,
Assignment of Troops.
We publish the following order for
the in formation of the public .*
Bd’qrs. Dep’t. or the Cunberland, 1
Louisville. Kt„ March 18, '67. }
General Orders No. J.
1. In accordance with General Or*
ders No. 18, current series, from the
War Department, the undersigned
hereby assumes command of the De
partment of the Cumberland, compris
ing the States of West Virginia, Ken
tucky and Tennessee.
2. All orders published for the gov
ernment of the late Department of Ten
nessee will remain in force in this De
partment, except where they conflict
with General Orders No. 10, current se
ries,. from the Way Department.
The staff of the'Major General com
manding will remain the same as or
ganized for the late Department of the
Tennessee.
3. That portion of the State of Ten
nessee announced in General Order No;
28, Headquarters Department of the
Tennessee, current series, ns forming a
portion of the District of Chattanooga,
is hereby attached to the District of
Nashville.
That- portion of the aforesaid General
Orders No. 28, which directs that the
iresent garrison of Chattanooga . be re-
ieved from duty at that post by the
43d U. S. Infantry, is so amended as to
direct that the present garrison be re
lieved by a detachment of the 34th U.
S. Infantry. The number of companies
of which the latter detachment is to
consist will be at the option of the com
manding officer of the District of Nash
ville.
4. The District of Memphis is here
by enlarged to include that portion of
the State of Kentucky bounded by the
Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers,
5. The State of West Virginia is here
by attached to the District of Ken
tucky. G. H. Thomas,
Mnj. Gen. U. S. A.,
Official: Commanding.
‘'Stevens’ Bill.”
The people need not be much alarm
ed about Thad Steven’s confiscation
bill. Well informed pai tie* at Wash
ington, says the Atlanta Intelligencer.
wr.te that there never was a chance Of
its passage either through the Senate or
the House of Representatives. Mr. Ste
vens himself told an intimate friend
that he had no hope the bill wonld be
come a law, but he would nevertheless
offer it and make a speech in its advo
cacy in order to redeem a promise and
satisfy the demand of some of Ills more
immediate constituents, it was prompt
ly sent to the lumber room of the House,
there to remain until December next,
when an unavailing attempt may be
made to resurrect it. Meanwhile the
radicals and semi-radicals in the South
will attempt to hold the infamous thing
over the beads of the people, and will
also use it to balm and delude the ne-
gtces into acting with them under a
false promise that the lands proposed
to be seized shall be divided into home
steads and parcelled out for their bene
fit.
We repeat that Stevens’ bill, with
the whole subject of confiscation, is dead
and buried’,consigned to the receptacle
of lost things, and those whe teach oth
erwise dishonor themselves, as they
would dishonor the whites whom they
threaten, and the blacks they try to de
lude. There is uo more probability of
such a law being passed, than there .is
shat Mr. Stevens arid his co-workers will
by some miracle, be transformed into
goodmeh and honest patriots.
Cotton Accounted For.—A corres-
pondentofa Northern paper writing
frem Columbus, Mississippi, gives the
following account of the manner in
which cotton captured from the Con
federates towards the close of the irai
was sometimes accounted for. He
says: .
There were four thousand bales of
cotton captured from the Confederates,
here in store, guarded by Federal
troops. After it was nearly all stolen
by officers in command, and sold od
private account, the warehouse or cot
ton sheds were fired ; the cotton was
reported burned, and the account,
was closed by the usual entry in ab-
rtract “L” (Loss account.) This was
a favorite way of accounting for Gov
ernment properly, and enriched many
-a thief in blue whe can truely Say that
loyalty and patriotism paid him well.
“ An act suppiemeritaiy to an Sact en
titled an act- to provide for the more
efficient government of the rebel States,
passed March 7,1867, and to facilitate
restoration,” and now return it -to
the House of Representatives, with my
objections.
This bill provides for elections in the
ten States brought under the operation
of the origininal act to which it is
supplementary. Its details are princi
pally directed to the elections for the
formation of the Stato Constitutions;
but by the sixth section of the bill “all
elections” in these States, occurricg
while the original act 'remains in > force
are brought within its purview.
Referring to the details, it wilt be
found'that, first of all, there is to be a
registration of the voters. No one
whose name has not been comitted on
the list is to be allowed to vote at: any
of these elections. To ascertain who is
entitled to registration, reference is
made necessary, by the, express lan
guage of the supplement, to the origin
al aot and to the pending bill.' The
fifth section of the original act provides
as to the voters, that they shall be
“mahr citizens of the State, twenty one
years old and upwards, Of whatever
race, color or previous condition, who
have been resident of said State for one
year.” This is the general qualihca-
ti n, followed, howevet, by many ex
ceptions. No one can be registered,
according to the original act, “who may
be disfranchised for participation in rer
hellion,” a provision which left under
mined the question as.to what amount
ed to disfranchisement, and whether,
withouiajudicialsentence.tbe act it
self produced that effect. This supple
mental hill superadds an oath, to-be ta
ken by, every person before , bis name
can bead mined that he haif “riot been
disfranchised for participation in any
rebellion or civil war against the Uni
ted States.”
It thus imposes upon every person
the necessity and responsibility of de
ciding for bitnself, under the peril of
punishment by a military commission,
if he makes a mistake, what works dis
franchisement by participation in r&-
hellion, and whatamount to such, pars
licipation. Almost every man^-the.
negro as well as the white—-above tWeri-
ty-one years of age, who Was resident
in these ten States during the rebel
lion, voluntarily. or involuntarily, iit
some time, and in some way, did par
ticipate in resistance to the lawful au
thority of the general government. The
question with the citizen to whom this
bath is to be proposed must be a fearful
one; for while the bill does not declare
that perjury may be assigned for such
false swearing, ncr fix any penalty for
the offense, we must not forget that
martial law prevails, that every person
is answerable to a military commission.
acknowledged standard ot loyalty und
republicanism. Indeed, if there are
degrees in republican form of govern
ment, their con: tituttons are more re
publican now than When theie Siates—
four of which were members of the
original thirteen—first became uqern-
be.sof the Union.
Congress does not now demand that
a single division of. their, constitutions
be changed, except such as confine suf
frage to the white population. It is ap
parent, therefore, that' these provisions
do not conform to-the standard of re
publicanism, which; Congress seeks to
establish. That there may be no-mis
take, it’ is only necessary ihat reference
should be made to the original ' act,
which declares “such constitution shall
provide that the elective franchise shall
bit enjoyed by all such persons as have
the qualifications herein stated for elec
tors of delegates.” What class of per
sons. is here inant clearly appears : in
th.e.same.section. That is to say : the
male citizens of said State twenty one
years old arid upward, ol whatever race,
color,or_previous condition, who have
been resident in said State for one year
previous U> such election.” . i
VVithout these provisions no consti
tution which can be.framed in any orie
of the ten States will be of any , avail
with Congress; This, then, is" tire’ “test
of What the constitution of a State of
this Union must contain to make' it,re
publican. Measured by such a stand
ard, how few of the States how. compos
ing the Union have republican Consti
tutions ?■ If, in the exercise of the con
stitutional, guaranty-that. Congress shall
secure to every Stale a republican -form
of government, universal suffrage for
blacks as well as whites, is si/ie
qua non', • the work of reconstruc
tion may as well begin in Ohio as in
Virg nia, in Pennsylvania as North
Carolina.
When I contemplate thq . millions of
our fellow citizens’ in the Sou in/ with
no'alternative left but to impose upon
theoaselves this fearful and xiutried ex-
periment of complete negro enfranchise
ment and .white disfranchisement if.
may'be almost as complete,' or ' submit
indefinitely lb' the rigor Ot martial law,
without a single attribute of : freedom;
deprived ot all the-sacred guarantees of
our F^deral Consiitutiqn;; and threat
ened with even worse wrongs, if any
worse are possible, it seems to me their
condition is the most cleplorabel to.
which any people can be reduced. It
is true that they have been erig-iged.in
rebellion,.arid that, Their object being a
separation of the States, and a dissolu
tion of the Union/there was an obli
gatio'n resting upon every loyal citizen
to treat them as enemies, and to wage
war agaiust their cause.
Inflexibly opppsed to any movement
imperiling the integrity of. the Govern,.
through which the nation has passed,
we shall all come to knotV that our • on^~8
Ir safety; is in the preservation of! our-g
Federal Constitution, and in accordr
ing to every American citizen and to
every State, the fighfo which that Con-'''
stitulion secures. '. /‘' •• A
: Andrew Johnson.
Washington. March 23,1867.
* -Sr: a
»ii! no
!- noil
' Hen. Ldugstrect’s Dei ter. ...
The "Augusta Coiiilitilliomlist makeV '
the following coinnierits upon this* let-i' ‘ '
ter. published in the last’ isstio bf ’ the "
CoQrieri-‘4 ; ■ t •• oihjm lie-ed hleow.
Gen. Lorigstreet’s record:dilritig thb-n
war was full of honor. His services $rer4::)
but, farther, than this, we do> not; sea
that bis adviae need be specially.sound 1
or hi*opinioninfaflably correct,....
It will be observed that the General
acknowledges 1 that he knows littl'b bf' 1 '’
politics or statesmanship. We concede'”?
that he does not, and give doe, credit m
for the .assertion thpt he -looks at thaL v
present situation .as a soldier.” This »
precisely trie way r tbat its: aspect is r riiosi i: ’’
appalling. Our military commanded ' 5
see it. through the same, glasses; dnd -as
their profession red uces them to ,. the.,
straits of the martinet, their gen ids for
solving vexed'qdestionsbf .State "is nbt" v
in the highest condition- of ItitellecUi- 17
al health or ingenuity, i:/. -• t:; tijili
AW^hig/to Gen. LqngSlree^. It i4--,
eminently the part of wisdom for the '
conquered peopld t!o accept 1 ' ine' iciiti;!' 1
queror’s'terms, no matter how dbgWd-i ; ”
lugor unprofitable. We differ withl si
him in tolo. If those terms touch. : ';tbe , a
honor of the unfortunate, they should ,
be spurned.. l’he conqueror; may foteif
them into acquiescence, ,but:all the
power of the .earth is. impotent. to. make,...,
a an, ienacidus of prinqiple, consent !
to debauchment and endorse the edict '’
of his disgrace;; The records of histdfyJj
are .full of such examples. By such, them
Christian church, in .the bipod of ,lnqr-;. ,
tyrs, grew vital and desiroyed The Pa- .
gan oppression. By such the HubgA’ ’ 4 --
rians have saved the integrity of : their 1 ^
race and Regained,the liberty Cf their 1 , la
countiy. Many a pqor pnvate ’soldier;
preferireil tbe hellisn torture !of a Fed- ,,
end prisbhj and many hat'b died ’in’
those charnel houses, rather than 1 ptitwhi
chase enlargement by stultification. Wei;
without previous presentment by a ment, 1 did not hesitate to urge the
grand jury for any charge that may be adoption of all measut es necessary , for,
made against him, and that/ may be
made against hltri, arid that the su
preme authority of the military com
mander determines the question as to
what is an offense, and what is to be
the measure cf punishment.
The fourth section ef the bill protides
“that the comman-ling general of each
district shall appoint as many boards of
registration as may be necessary, con
sisting of three loyal officers or persons.”
The only qualification stated for these
officers is, that they must be “loyal.”—
They may be persons iri ' the military
service or civilians, residents of the
State or s rangers. Yet these persons
are to exercise most important duties,
and are vested with unlimited discre
tion. They are to decide What names
are to'be placed upon' the register
and from their decision there is to b'e
no appeal. They are to superin tend
the eie'etions and to decide all questions
which may’ arise. They are to have the
custody of the ballots, and to make re
turn of the persons elected. Whatever
frauds or errors they may commit triust
pass without redress. All. that .is left
for the commanding general is to ‘ re
ceive the returns of the elections, op*n
the same, and ascertain who are chosen
“according to the returns of the officers
wflo conducted said elections.” By.
such means, and with this sort of agen
cy, are the conventions of delegates to
be constituted.
As the delegates are to speak for the
people, common justice would seem t®
require that'they should have authority
from the people themselves.' No con
vention, so constituted will, in any
sense represent the wishes of the inhab
itants ot any of these States; for, under
the all-exceptions of these laws, by a
construction wbich the uncertainty of
the danse as to disfranchisement leaves
open to the board of officers, the great
body of the people may be excluded
from the polls, and from all opportuni-
to of expressing their own {wishes, or
voting for delegates who will faithfully,
reflect their sentiments.
the suppression of the insurrection,—
After a lpng and terrible' struggle ..the
efforts o: the government were’ n ium-
phuntlylsuscessttyl. and the pt-opfo of
the Soutii, submitting to the stern ar-
bmament, yielded forever the issues of
tbe contest. Hostilities terminated
soon after it became my dutylio assume
the responsibilities of the Ghief Execu
tive officer of. the, republic/; and. 1 ,at
once endeavored - to repress arid control
the passions which pur civil strife, had
engendered, and,]n? longer regarding
these erring : millions as enemies, again
acknowledged them as our' friends and
Our countrymen. ‘ The war had acedm-'
plished its objects. The nation was
saved,' and that seminal principle of
mischief which, from the birth of .the
government, had gradually, hot irievi-
tably brough t on ..the rebellion / was to
tally eradicated. Tbeu. it seemed to
nie, was the auspicious time to* com-
mehce the workpf reconciliatiori; then,
when the people sought once more our
friendship and protection, 1 considered
it opr duty generously to meet them in
a spirited charity .and forgiveness, and
to pbriquer thern .eyeri more effectually
by this magriariimity of the nation than
by the fqroe of its arms. •, . « . /
I yet believe that if the policy, -oi re- 1 ;
conciliation ,then‘. inaugurated, and
which contemplated an early restora
tion of these; people to all their political
rights, had received the support of Con
gress, every one of these .ten States, and
aU their people,it this mouenr. would be
fast anchored in. the Union, and the
great work which gave tbe war all its
sanction and made it just, and holy,
would have been accomplished. Then,
over all the vast and fruitful, regions of
the Soutbi, peace and all Its blessings
would have prevailed, while now mil
lions are deprived of rights guaranteed
by: the Constitution to every citizen,
and. after nearly two years of . legisla
tion, find themselves placed .under an
absolute’military despotism. “A mili
tary 1 republic—a govern merit, formed
on mock elections, and supported only
I do riot deeiri it necessary further to by the sword,” was nearly a quarter of a
investigate the details of this bill. No
consideration could induce me to give
my approval to sueb an election law for
any purpose, and especially, for the
great purpose of framing the constitu
tion of a Shite. 11 ever the American
citizen should be left to the free exer
cise of his.mvn judgment, it is when he
is engaged in the work of forming the
fundatriectal law Under which he is to
iive. That work is his work, , .and' ft
carinot properly be taken out of his
hands. All this legislation proceeds
upon the contrary assumption, that tbe
people of each of these States shall havq
no constitution, except such - as may be'
arbitrarily dictated by Congress, arid
fbftned under the restraint of military
century since pronounced by Daniel
Webster* when speaking of the South
retrograde and disastrous movement,
from- the regular and old-fashioned
monarchical systems,” and he added i
“If men would enjoy the blessings
of republican government, they must
govern tbemseives by reason, by mu
tual consent and consultation| by a
sense and feeling of general inteiest,
and by the.acquiescence of the minority
in the will of the majority; properly ex
pressed; and, above all; the military
must be kept, according to' the lan
guage of Our bill of rights',' in' strict
subordination of the civil authority.—
Wherever this lesson ia not both fo’arn-
edsnd practiced, them «an be ao po-
constaricy will read, better Tri fuipre an-’
nals than fortmil counsels of submis
sion* I-- ■ i >' '
1 General Longstreet urges tbe people *»
to c-;me forward and. “accept the ends.~
involved in the lateatrugcle.” What
were these ends? The curious .reader
can.find them in tbe resolution of UOa,
cress, kept as standing mailer for pub-
lic edifliiatidri on otir fourth pkgj, W’a 'f
likewise print as "A - commentary the ”
Suermari-Shellabargeii. 1 atrocity.TheiiJ
Union und the Constitution,: the ayow«-;
ed ends proposed by. Congress, we arer
willing to aceept; jiut we declfoe. ^yena
the invitation of Gen. Longstreet to"
give our vofurit’ary adhesion tot he Sup/
pfomental bill; 1 Others inay thirik ’diT-
ferCrittyv arid'the South, hearkeriing-to
incompetent counsel, may - egrade her-' J
it on record that, speaking for what ,
may be the minority, we irievCr will
yield a deathless principle for the paI- - :
try profits ot an u-.certaiu expediency;
which cannot' prosper in the 1 end. " "* .
Gen; Longstreet thinks "constitutional
government can be accampliihedhy, comply-ho
ing with the requirements of tbe ( reqent,q
Congressional legislation ! I” , ’ ....
We positively refuse to argue that iiP'j'
logical proposition. It' carries ’its ■ ritf--*
swer with it.'. To speak of constitutions **
ai government and recent Uongressi.on.-frd
al legislation .in the. same breath. ,i*., 9
equal to an assertion that bladk ^wllffiH
or chalk is'cheese. : - 0 " rjn “ •
General Longstreert’e i faith-Tri the':
pledges of Radicalism-ere creditable th ,
his -chivalric nature^ but- it requires
more hardihood than we have yet ex- -t
perieaced; and more credulity , than wer, ^
have yet found, to share his confidence .
arifftiiist.' * 1 ''
This letter of Gen. Longstreet r s wad !
not necessary. It may provepenriciouH.-: *
Its necessity perished with the enact
ment of the Supplemental bill, j^bicb,. ,
by amendment, mercifully put' a bar- ,'
rierto Southern sialtification. Any ;
pronounced advice to-accept whatisnot i
even required, is mournful and* unfor- .
tunate.
-■ .■ '• » *■ ,—— •
Fire at Colnmbns, Georgia*
We learn from gentlemen. who reach
ed Atlanta yesterday, that a fire broke
out at Columbus about three o’clock,,;
Sunday morning, on the east side of,-1
Broad, between Bryan and Randolpa,.
streets, which destroyed the St. Mary’s' )
Bank building aud the. stores adjoining
above/ comprising five brick buildings' ,^
of two stories. They were occupied as
follows : By Blount &Uhipfoy, grocers ’■
Poper & Co., druggists ; two dry goods ^
stores; and one as a confeelSoaery.
The: property principally beioriged tql:y
tbef estateqt W. W. Gerrardf,- and Mo
ses amd Adams. The less on the 4>ri>r
perfy alone is estrfnatid at from forty .,
to fifty - thousand dcAlars.’ Blount i
Chipley fully insured.
SicfeET Chic/tsUxTioNy.—’Fho | people,
white awd black, cannot be warned too 1
ofiert againrsi secret political orghrifori-'
tion ft They are - , potent for evil; and ■
evii nttfy. If fhefo objects will not bear
tber light of public scrutiny and inve® 1 ’
tigWlioa,.fot them b® ihUnned.
>5 i ... •. :• *5