Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-05-30
gd9ailg Gmpire,
The Difficulties of a Recon-
structiOn Of the American
Union


Washington is one of the most difficult that
ever fell 10 great people 1t is no longer
to conquer, to wear out aud to Overwhelm
but to win, to unite and to restore. The
worst part of the difficulty in their case con
sists in the national defects which the war
was too certain to aggravate, and which tri
umph is not likely all at once to remove. or
these defects we must speak gently, remem
berlng that they are in our own blood, aud
that even England cannot always unite in
congruous elements in the bond Of mutual
confidence and affection. But America for
the better part Of a century has had before
her all these rocks nov ahead all these cur
rents and shoals, aud the whole chart of this
most difficult navigation From the first
there were State rights and federal engage.
ments slavery in the South linked with trade
in the North and two different social sys-
tens, ar sing in great degree from an actual
difference of origin, divided by the Potomac
1t has not been for want of full knowledge
and ample discussion that the disease has
continued to exist, for the quarrels it oeca.
stoned have filled the ears OF the whole
lword, and if the war has taken us at last by
surprise it was only because we saw how long,
hgw loudly aud how bloodessy the dispu-
tants could keep up the game Of pol tics aud
the war OF words. But the account which the
Northern Americans themselves give the
world of the unmerited sufferings, their long
iorbearance, and their innocence of the ca
tastrophe, does not prom se we'll for their
batter tact aud discretion in new and delicate
circumstances They tell the world that tor
the sake Of peace they have babituaiiy given
up principle; that for the material interests of
the North they have surrendered power aud
policy, too, to Southern statesmen and SOL
diers; and that, while they have been max
ing 10 all the world the boast of popular self
| government and federal union they have in
fact. been humbly trudgng on the dusty road
to wealth tied 10 the chariot wheels Of tho
| planter 1t such has indeed been the position
OF the popuous, industrious and enlightened
North for seventy or eighty years, then we
know not where TO look for that happy mix.
ture of hrmness sagacity, tenderness and
knowledge of mankind which is to heal the
terrible wounds OF this war, and iestore love
between men who have suffered aud inflicted
the most frighilul injuries Qualities OF thr
high sort are not inspired by the occasion, ios
they are not the work of day. They must
exist they must have had trial, and they
must have shown themselves if they are to
be expected for an emergency, Our only
hope is that the occasion will call into prom
inence men as qualified for the work of peace
as names unknown to fame have become glo.
rious in this war. Since warriors have emerg-
ed as it were, from the soil, so also new
race OF wise and pacific statesmen may show
themselves
The Union cannot be restored without
complete reconciliation; and reconciliation
will not be real unless it be founded on an
oblivion of alleged offences and a perfect
Icnnal,.y Ia, NJ, ,t,
Union will take sincere and cordial part
in solemn acts of mutual forgiveness and re-
conciliation unless he sees before him a future
that may retrieve the past as far az lies in the
power of man. This must indeed, be hard
when, besides those miseries and those bur
dens which are common to all, very large
part of the people survive the ruin OF their
fortunes and the destruction of their families
Besides the devastation and depopulation
which Mr.. Beecher ofully realizes, the South
has lost the mainstay Of its commercial and
, social system, and has now to try experiments
which have not answered elsewhere, or resign
itself to the loss OF position and even compe-
tence not to say social order. This has to be
borne in the presence of those who are sup
posed to have inflicted the injury. A ruined,
Impoverished, and, II may be, utterly
unsettled and unseated race will not
easily forget wrongs Of which every
hour will give them bitter remembrance.
This is inevitable, and as it cannot be alto
gether prevented it should be mitigated as far
as possible. The North may find that it has
to make sacrifices, even now in the hour Of
triumph, in order to soothe animosities and
repair injuries II had better do that now in
the spirit Of mutual concession, than have to
do it when the grace Of the concession is gone.
There are citizens in the North who ask most
earnestly for the most concliatory measures,
and who are even ready to Rbate somewhat
OF the pretensions they believed it polite TO
maintain in the height Of the war. Win they
be listened tot II not and il such men as
General Butler, or even Mr.. Beeeher, are al.
lowed TO set the moral tone Of this great crisis,
then any reconciliation can be only skin deep,
and the PROSTATE foe will no sooner feel 70.
turning strength than he will try at any risk,
10 escape the miseries and disgraees Of a gal
ling yoke.
The Hartford Courant tells story Of Q far.
i .o.. .hat nj ,a gghn Inst ~.