Washington telegraph., 1862-07-02
DEcRADATroS.-The old idea which pre-

DEGRADATIoS.-The old idea which pre-
vailed extensively throughout the South before
the commencement of hostilities-the idea Of
re constructing and conserving the Union with
additional guarantees of Southern Rights, was.
at least dgnlfied one at the time, and such
as no one need blush to remember. 1t was
before blood had been shed or any attempt at
coercion. 1t was based upon an old sentiment
of national pride and regard for the Union
which had been taught from boyhood
sacred. 1t p-esupposed and calculated lpon
large party at the North ready to accord to Us
our rights by new constitution, if they were
only allowed. \ party friendly to the South
who had sacrificed their supremacy at home
in defence Of cur rights. and one might natu-
rally feel that sense Of magnanimity pre-
vented us from spurning them out Of the Union,
This sentiment prevailed extensively, and
proved very unfortunate. 1t was based upon
an error. The first gun fired at Fl. Mou.trie
revealed to this party the two startling facts.
That treachery, malice, and arrogance pre-
vailed with the ruling party, and we had not a
friend ut the North to raise his voice against
the bloody Proclamation of Lincoln, calling
upon Northern men to battle their hands In
Southern blood.
All was altered then. Nincty-nne out u
every hundred Union men mortified, shocked,
and indignant were converted into bitter enc
miles, and the most hearty desPisers OF the
teacherous foe. Since then there has becn
no shade OF difference in patriotism or ardor
between them, and the original advocates of
secession.
Far different is the position Of those eho
now here and there, throughout the South,
openly advocate, or secretly hint the pFuba-
bility of Il restoration OF the Union. Tie idea
is !. base one. Servlity and total want Of.
seli-respect is essential to tie thought The
present Unionist il not only traitor but shows
that he never could have been gentleman,
which i'll the South is quite as shocking.
To make this apparent it is only necessary
to reflect that these men, make tie proposition
IN the wake, and under the influence of Fede-
raj successes. 1t is simply saying we are
conquered" We must yield hopeless eun.
test. and buy quietude again 10y submission.
Suppose the North shou.a pass an act OF am
mcsty and restore the old Union as il Was.
Does not every one see at tAat liz South
orn gentleman could live in such an atmos-
pherc! The hated anu AFRO alt Yankee gould
zoos upon him a. suAJusateI, and bs.ng not
possessed, by NATURE oi any duicJcy uf ch.rac-
ter would lose no opportunity Vi making him
lee! it. Moreover, no Southern Senator, a.
representative could ever boldly advocate a
Southern Right lie would be mcJ IN Tie b.t-
tee ;aunt that the South was helpless, aud La
bic 10 be castigItcd again d sl.c !.ad' zen be-
fore. Gradual emancipation would surely be
inaugurated, and conducted WITH in.o!ruce
against helpless sufferers, who having once
passed under tile yoke Of tile cpn4uerer would
remain detected and broken spirited forever.
We would not only cease 10 bu masters III
slaves, but would become ourselves slaves of
masters. This j. 70 apparent that tie thought
Oi restoring the Union, Is proof conclusive OF
the utter imposst5Iity of il, whilst spark "a
Southern pride i left 1t is not advanced
here 10y way Of argument against the Eystura-
lion of the Union. 1t is only used a. "a back
scihshness and servility Of those poor unI,rtu-
aates OF the South, who FROM III I'll estate have
sunS, in an evil hour, 10 depth OF shame more
irIetricyable than that ug him who