, 1861-07-17


that an officer Of the rebel army in West
ern Virginia had arrived in Washington
with proposition that the majority Of the
forces there, under the rebel flag, would
change fronts, abandon the Southern Con-
1ederacy, run up the flag of the Union, and
avow their allegiance to the National Coy
eminent. The officer in question, assures
a member Of the Cabinet that a majority
Of those in Western Virginia who have
acted with the rebels, are really loyal at
heart, and have been led astray BY the lies,
persuasions and misrepresentation OF dem
agogues, Like the prodigal SOD, they have
experienced the error Of their ways and
are anxious to be forgiven by the parent
Government and received back under the
paternal roof Of Uncle Sam. The new SEN
ator, Carlile, has information to the same
effect, and states that prominent officer
in the Confederate army, is about to tender
to the Government three regiments of Vir-
girians who are sick Of Secession and want
to get back under the old flag.
II these reports be true, they are cx-
ceeding1y significant and important. We
have believed from the outset that the old
affection for the Union, would revive as
the starry banner in triumph advanced.
In those sections Of the South where slaves
are numerous, the whites are heartily dis
loyal, and alienated from the parent Gov
ernment, But the non~slaveholders can
be reclaimed, and restored to true alle-
giance to the Union. When by actual con-
tact with the army, their minds become
disabused Of secession falsehoods, and the
truth is permitted to exercise its healthy
influence, and the terror-mongers are ban
iEhed, then We may expect to see loyalty
recover its sway and law its obedience, in
all parts OF the South where the whites
are chiefly non-slayeholders. After the
rebel forces are swept out Of Virginia, the
people who are loyal at heart, will be in a
decided majority and will control the fu-
ture politics Of the Old Dominion. But
they are able to do nothing until the
power Of the s1aveocracy is overthrown
and the charm Of its influence broken.
Thcweatth and social respectability of that
State are in the hands Of the secession.
lists Loyalty is found in the abode of the
poorer classes, who instinctive1y feel that
disunion means no good fot them. But
they will need supporting by the strong
arm Of the Government for many years.
until they learn to hold the reins and
gather confidence in themselves.
The people Of North Carolina are as ripe
as those Of Western Virginia, for restora-
ton to allegiance. That State was inyeigled
into the meshes Of treason and was dragged
out Of the Union against the wishes and
feelings of a majority Of her people. The
North Caro1inians lave contributed COM
paratiVely little in men and means to the
Confederate cause since they seeded.
Thousands will hail with tears ofjoy, the
Star 6pangled Banner when it appears
again among them. A large majority Of
the whites own no slaves and never were
capitivatcd with tile ohgarchic dogmas Of
Calhoun, and they are not now friendly to
the monarchical schemes of the f1re-eaters.
When reclaimed to the Union these people
will never again give audience to seces-
sionists. They will desire to pluck or taste
NO more Of the forbidden fruit Of the tree
Of secession In whatever district Of coun-
try the insurrection is quelled, there will
spring up stronger sentiment Of loyalty
and attachment for the old Union than has
existed since the days Of South Carolina
notification. These people, for the first
time in tl.cir lives, will properly appreciate
the blessings and comforts which flow
from the Union. T1ey will know there
after, that peace security and prosperity,
can alone be found within its fold