Belief 4 - Reading 5 of 8, The Reconstruction Convention

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Belief 4 - Reading 5 of 8

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"SOUTHERN RIGHTS"

Harper's Weekly, September 30, 1865, page 611 (Editorial)

We are glad that a numerous delegation of gentlemen from the unorganized States lately called upon the President, and we hope that many more will call. It is right and wise that they should acquaint themselves personally with his views, and by actual conversation and observation learn the spirit of loyal citizens. They will nowhere discover an unreasonable nor an unforgiving temper. They will find that all good citizens understand the difficulties of the situation. They will encounter nothing but satisfaction at the result of the war, and a very decided determination—in which we trust those gentlemen share—to avoid, as far as possible, all unpleasant possibilities of future trouble.

But it is very desirable that certain misapprehensions and false traditions should be set aside at once. The late delegation from nine States was introduced to the President by Mr. M’Farland, of Virginia. The gentlemen composing it were, as we understand, lately in arms, and upon principle, against the Union and Constitution. Yet Mr. M’Farland gravely remarked that they were as earnest and faithful to the Union and Government as in the past. Now if they were honest rebels they believed in State sovereignty, and consequently could never be faithful to the Union and Constitution, in the sense of fidelity which the war has established. If they mean to be fully loyal now, we are delighted to hear it. But we certainly do not wish to hear that they propose to be only as loyal as they were before.

The same gentleman concluded his speech by saying that they were sure the President intended "to maintain Southern rights in the Union." This is one of those perilous follies which, if the war has not annihilated, the war will have to fought over again. We wish the President had said to them—"Gentlemen, there are no Southern rights, nor Western rights, nor Eastern rights, nor Northern rights in the Union. There are no sectional rights whatever. As President, I know no other rights than those of the people of the United States who formed the Union. I shall maintain no Southern or Northern rights; but I promise you to defend to the last the rights of every citizen in the land."

Suppose that the delegations from Indiana and Illinois which waited upon the President after his elevation in April had told him that they depended upon him to maintain Western rights in the Union; and the delegations from New England had spoken a good word for Eastern rights, we trust the President would have made a reply similar to the one we have indicated.

The phrase "Southern Rights" is too suggestive of the cry that preceded the rebellion to be very becoming in the mouths of gentlemen who took part in it. The main interest of the country at present is the rights of the United States. If delegations from the unorganized States come to express their loyalty to those rights and their sincere desire to secure them, they will be more welcome to the country than if they come to repeat the falsehoods and follies which plunged us into war. Mr. M’Farland and his delegation should remember that their country is not "the South," nor Virginia, nor Georgia. It is the United States. Remembering that, let them talk accordingly, and they will find only kind and willing listeners.

Harper's Weekly, September 30, 1865, page 611 (Editorial)

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