f»* .0^ *v. .< <=> ^ ^^' ^^ ^ •<#> ^""^^^ ^^ RKC'ONSTRUCTION!! ) An appeal to the Patriotic National Republican members of Con- gress; in behalf of alt loyal residents of the South! by one who has been a resident of the South thirty-three years ; one ivhQ has opposed slavery, and the State-rights heresy, since A. D. 1832; one who finds himself , icith other loyal men, politically bound, and surrendered to the control of alien enemies ; by a mistaken policy, the effect of ichich tvill be, a cruel punishment of loyal men of the South, and a premium upon treason and re- IjelVon. Hon. Sir : On the loth day of December, 1861, the Hou. James Har- lan, of the United States Senate, presented a memorial in behalf of the loyal citizens of West Texas of German ex- traction, (see Miss. Doc. No. 9, o7th Cong. 1st Sess.) This memorial contained a plan for the reconstruction of Texas, adapted for other localities of the South, which in its effects, would have been followed with immense results ; had this plan been acted upon, Texas would have been reconquered, and it would contain at present 100,000 or more loyal voters; united on free-labor — they would constitute the best element to reconstruct that large State ; all measures that are de- manded by justice could be engrafted upon the organic law — this phm was simple, and practical, viz: To enlist vol- unteers of German origin, for a short term of service, and with a proviso, that they become settlers of Texas, and secure to them grants of land from the vast public domain of that Slate. The Glermau residents of West Texas would have been strensfth- ened, that State redeemed from the blasting eftects of sla- very and rebellion, and made the most prosperous section on this continent. All the great staples of the South could be abundantly produced by free-labor. Unfortunately this memorial was disregarded, the loyal people of West Texas were abandoned, thousands of them were murdered by the rebels, and thousands were 4fiven out of Texas, their prop- erty destroyed ; a 'blundering and unfortunate policy was followed towards Texas, hundreds of millions were expended in blockading the southern coast, and the back-door into Mexico was left open, and the rebellion thereby was per- mitted to assume gigantic proportions. High military posi- tions were given in many instances to men, who were inac- tive, when loyal men were exterminated at the South, rather than that slavery should suffer, a clamor for so-called justice to the slaveowners was raised, and pecuniar}^ aid urged; but nothing was proposed to indemnify the negro race for generations of sufferings and injustice. When, after enormous sacrifices by the loyal people, the authority' of the Government is established at last within the rebel States, powers are granted with lavishing hand to blood- stained rebels, and the loyal of every class are surrendered to the tender mercy of alien enemies by the Government which owes them protection. The naturalization of citizens of the United States, is regulated by laws of Congress, it was never contemplated that the pardon by the President could manufacture thousands of alien enemies into citizens of the United States much less restoring political powers into their hands. It is most dangerous and subversive to the republic, and endangers the national safety, if permitted, particularly at this critical period. This nation cannot afford it!!! To pardon a man for his crimes committed against this na. tianality is one thing; to transform an alien, even after he ceases to be an enemy, into a citizen of the United States without the legal process of naturalization is something else. If this can be done in thousands of instances, it could be done in millions. No single mind in a republic should be permitted to exercise such powers; also, the recoustruc- tion of the rebel States should be left to the collective wis- dom of this nation to deterniiue what should be the true policy. Justice to all persous, and due protection to every individual must be secured; there cannot, there must not be any more compromise with wrong. Many years of pro- bation will be required before a radical change will take place in the minds of men. who were reared under the blast- ing iniluence of slavery. The heresy of State-rights was engrafted on the national politics witli a view to conserve slavery; it cut off individuals from national protection ; it is sectional and local, and has been, and will be again exercised for oppression and wrong. The right of ever}^ individual to national protection is self ciideni, this Government cannot shirk its responsibility, the present condition gives this nation a glorious opportunity, it cost enormous sacrifices, it must not be trifled away, centuries may roll by, ere it may again be possible to do the work, now is the time to do it effectually, nothing less ; but the political, and legal equality of all persons, and the introduction of free-labor will bring about true and lasting reconstruction of society of the South. Texas, with its vast public lands, and unrivalled climate, offers a rare opportunity to put my plan into practice, all necessary legislation should be done without delay. A call on German emigrants will be responded to, both here and in Europe; the results in point of national economy will be immense, and after the full enjoyments of liberty to all per sons have been fully secured by the laws of equilibrium- which regulate the migrations of men on this planet, the negro race now on this continent will be drawn within the tropical latitudes, it will be the great task or mission of this great republic to open for them a clear way, and assist them on their great journey of civilization. Most respectfully submitted, by AXTHONY M. DIGNOWITY, Of San Antonio, Texas. December 4, 1805. u i i 91 79 jif ^ •• ,6^\.--. -^ 0" K^ 0^ ,.^''. '^O. .^'%