Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-21
Let Every Man be Judged by HE
For the Nashville Patrio:.l
MISSISSIPPI June * 1881

loyalty of those who are jewellers in our
midst, it is eminently proper that the priaci
pie of that sdage should be impartially ap-
piled.
We have in the seeded States, various
classes of citizens. The most numerous are
those who are natives of the South. They
are generally true to the land of their nstivi-
ty. 1t is not safe, however, to infer the loyal
ty of every man of Southern birth from the
circumstance that he was born here. FOO
many of them are known to be in favor of sur
rendering our rights and liberties and it is
proper, therefore, that each man should be
judged, not according to the accident OF his
birthplace, but by his known antecedents, acts,
and declarations There is danger to our
cause, as well as risk of doing injustice to
individuals, if We adopt any other criterion
as test of the fidelity of our native popula-
ton.
We have also among US large number of
persons who were born abroad, some being
of European, and some of American origin !;
some having resided here but short time,
and others having been identified with us for
many years. 1t is uot little singular that
in many localities in the Confederate States,
our people manifest no suspicion of the fidelity
of the English, Irish and Germans who have
taken up their abode with US, while, at the
same time, they are unreasonably suspicious
of old citizens who were originally from
the North. This is alike impolitic and un-
just.
In the absence of all proof in regard to
the political sentiments of an Individual, of
Northern origin, who may have come among
US to reside. the natural presumption is-and
he should have the benefit of it-that he left
the North, and came here, because he prefer
red the South; and Southern institu-
tions, to the North, and the Institutions of
his term of residence, that presumption daily
acquires additional force. Still, it is but q
mere presumption, and it must give way it it
appear, from any act of the individual, that
his sympathies are enlisted against US. II, how
ever, his conduct and his utteranees are con-
sistent with the presumption, there is no
reason, in the case of man of reputable
character, why he should be suspected of
want of loyalty. Moreover, another and
stronger presumption of loyalty arises, in
favor of those of our Northern citizens, who
have remained among US, when others, who
were known to have no sympathy with
our cause, have betaken themselves to their
former homes. II is reasonably to be pre-
sumed, that, as war became imminent, all
Northern men, who were able to leave, and
who were not identified with us in feeling,
fastened TO take their departure. Of course,
it may be true that individuals may be point
ed out, whu, for some less creditable reason,
were led to remain here after they should
have left; but such instances, doubtless, are
rare; and such case should be dealt with &C
cordiDg to its own special circumstances.
The fact is, and it may as well be openly
conceded, that the present generation of our
people. having had no experience of "wsr
times" do not know how to behave them
selves towards strangers. If England and
France were at war, the subjects OF either
country, residing in the other, would not
only be permitted to pursue their ordinary
avocations, but would be protected even
from insult, SO long as they took no part
against the country of their residence, In the
pending struggle. We should govern our
conduct by the same rule, in regard to those
who are, strictly speaking, foreigners-being
unnaturalized persons OF foreign blrth;-out'
as to those who are citizens-who were born
in the non-slaveholding States, and who re-
sidei here when secession occurred-the
sanctions OF local law conspire with those OF
the law of nations to protect them. We have
imposed upon them all the duties of citizen
ship, and so long as they discharge those du-
ties, they are entitled to all the advantages
and benefits attaching to that character.
They should, in all respects, be treated like
our native born citizens. Should any, OF
either class, be detected in reasonable prac-
tees, let punishment, sharp and unsparing'
swiftly succeed the proof of their treachery;
but let not an unfounded and ungenerous
suspicion, in any case, chill the ardor, and
paralyze the energy, of sincere friend.
& In some cases overzealous persons have
insisted that every Northern-born CT izen
should prove his loyalty to the South by
volunteering in the army. Surely, this is an
unreasonable demand. While various rea-
sons, such as age, health, business engage
ments, and family duties, are sufficient to e1-
onerate large numbers of our native popuia-
ton from military service, it is unjust 10 SET
up different and more exacting standard OF
duty for another class of citizens. With q
wide acquaintance in this State, I am salts
fed that all classes of our people are doing
their utmost for the promotion OF the great
cause OF Southern independence. There Is,
with US, no prejudice against men who hap
pened first to see the light in other States.
The question is not, where was man born,
but what are his sentiments; is he for US or
against US? Many of our most prominent
leading men were born in the free States,
and our people eonfde in them as implicitly
as in those who were born upon our own soil.
If the lamented Quitman were alive, you
would have seen him among the highest OF
our Generals. | trust all Southern States
will emulate the example of Mississippi, and
..let every tub stand upon its own bottom"
So, best lido believe that our country may be
served by all our people.
A MIssISSIPPIAN.
The GubernatoriaI Canvass---Gover.