The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-27 00:00:00

Reply to a Republican Leader.

In our correspondence columns there is a severe 1
critique on an article which appeared in our issue
of the Ist inst., headed " Rebels ;" and the " Re- 1
a nd
failure,arksties;la
publican Reader" after pulling our sentences to
pieces, asks us to express clearly our own opinion
upon the question at issue. If we compared notes
we would find that our critic differed much less in
opinion from ourselves than he appears to suppose.
He has strung consecutively the broad differences
between WASHINGTON and Davis, to prove, that the
main difference was not that between success and
failure ; but he has done this without convinc-
ingput them, we still adhere to our
us. Great as are these differences, truly and
he
has put
success or failure makes no
sdfatiaffirteeyrmeanesneet.in a cause ; the right is the right whether
triumphant, or steeped in the ignominy of the most
disastrous defeat ; and it sometimes happens that
fame accords the highest niche to the hero who re-
presents a train of misfortunes and a horrible
death. But this is only accorded when time has
shown the career of the patriot to have been pure
is not easy for any, least of all for
and disinterested, when his memory is venerated as
that of a martyr. What place Mr. DAVIS will take
, materially, it makes
in history it
Americans, to tell. Though morally, success or
faalliletrhee druiffakereesncneo, adniffdereinneeviewing this question,
impressions of facts asthey
glidea w a y
beforei in a week,
us recording
N , ir ,
ee
paatain, that the difference be-
tweenwe are bound to take the material as well as the
moral aspect, and as publicists, writing what passes
the " main" difference.
apagatriniostt othuerresemntaeyncbee,
difference, perhaps darkened by
Our critic attempts to kill two birds with one stone,
success
and to make his
the clouds of adversity or lightened by the sunshine
but
tt
fine
ebeshtwadeeena
oafredbieffl
of success." We had no intention whatever of apply-
ing this sentence to Davis as the rebel, or WASH-
INGTON as the patriot ; for we are well aware, if we
did, it would be false to the fact. These remarks,
therefore, are not applicable. The idea implied in
the whole article was not, as our critic says, that
success or failure, makes the difference, in the right,
or wrong of actions. We do hold what we stated,
" although under certain circumstances it may be
the bounden duty of men to revolt, these circum-
stances are rare in the highest degree, and where
they are not all combined to justify the movement,
it becomes a wickedand insane act of folly, drench-
ing the land with wasted blood, giving the reins to
the vilest passions of the most wicked natures, and
involving ruin, suffering, and death to the innocent."
The Southern rebellion, as the " Republican Reader"
says, was one of the greatest political crimes on re-
cord, the most stupendous and the most causeless of
all rebellions, and we further believe that the word
rebel, as applied to Mr. Davis and his associates,
did signify the perpetration of a great crime. But
we contend that the guilt has been expiated, that
the South has endured, and is enduring, the result of
its actions, and having paid the penalty it was
for the interest of all parties to throw the veil of con-
ciliation over the sad past. This was our only ob-
ject, and however bad may be our argument Ice
have little doubt that even our " Republican Reader"
will allow our intention to have been good. We
' believe in the truth of some theories, which are often
' sneered at, as the " Manifest Destiny" doctrine, and
every step to the fulfilment of the prophecy is in
our opinion a step in the right direction. A great
' and united America, a continent under one rule,
speaking one language, with the same laws and
without a hostile force on any border, is what we
would wish to live to see the great Republic.
Such results can never be attained if the
nation is to be torn by contending factions.
It is for this reason we hope for the speedy
reconstruction of the Southern States, and the
obliteration over all the land of the vestiges of the
rebellion. The memories it must leave are sad
' enough without parading them unnecessarily, and
' although our correspondent objects both to the
arguments and to the tone of the article, he
seems to consider that it would be wise to drop the
term. " A new commandment I give unto you, that
' ye love one another." These were our SAVIOUR'S
words, and if the unity of the North American
' Continent, under a great section of the Anglo-
Saxon race, excites any enthusiasm in the minds
and hearts of good men, it is because they see
there in the future, the fulfilment of the command-
ment added to the Ten, by the lips of our Saviouß
himself. If people foresaw nothing but jarring
' factions, a great overgrown power squabbling in
parts and States for ascendancy and plunder, the
. 6' Dianifebt Destiny" doctrine would not Lao 04
_

numerous enthusiastic believers. We can assure a

" Republican Reader" that we have this as the
end and aim of all we write, and we consider that
it ought to be the end and aim of every journal
that professes to represent the Great Republic.—
Anglo •American Times.