Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-03-01
Tho End Draws Nigh.
Fditors Intelligsncer: -.

1t Belongs TO some men to have an intu-
tive perception of the consequences which
| follow great undertakings. This intuition
1sCertainiy notthe res ult of some supernatu.
raj gift it is the natural sequence of in
tellectual requirement. 1t comes from an
intelligent comprehension of the nature of
ofthe undertaking, and the means which
are employed TO bring 1t to decisive culmi-
nation. There were few of the early states
men whose united wisdom:gave us our con-
stitution. and form of government, who
did not foreshadow in their written
aud spoken words, the existence of
civil war to the nation. Yet while
they were conscious of the coming
of this great national calamity, they
were strong in their convictions that
the Republic would pass safely through
the fiery ordeal of blood. Faith in the
strength OF the civil Institutions, which
they have beqnea'hed to the present gen.
GRAFTON. TO triumph over the assaults of
domestic foes,-this was firm and strong.
It was, indeed, blessed assurance, aud
was the silver lining gliding the dark
cloud that ominousy gathered its folds
ever the serene glory of future years.
Reforms never go backward. The Amer.
ican people before the rebellion was inaug.
urated thought they more nearly approxi-
mated the ideal of true nationality than
any other nation on the face Of the
earth We were undoubtedly great; we
were powerful. But the present war has
taught US some sublime truths. 1t has de.
veloped the existence of hoary headed
wrongs and fatal errors in the nation, that
has bowed US down in repeutant humility
for the sins of the past. Our eyes were
blinded 1t generally requires shock
that makes the world tremble to disclose
great national sins. Since this war has
cou1t epcad We,havss learn0dt - loek-oa tlla
past history of the nation with less vene.
ration. None but can feel that this is just
We lovein the past all that was true and
holy and beautiful; but we condemn much
that vas wrong. We have learned to
separate the chaff from the wheat. This is
one of the noblest teachings of the present
war. In the midst of peace and prosperity
our oterhowing patriotism would not
allow Us to see foul and disgrRceful errors
which the nation was nurturing and pro-
tectiug. Alphabetically speaking this i'm e.
moral friendship of Damon and Pythias has
been suddenly discontinued.
1t is this new riiscerument of the loyal
element of the nation that is making the
nation the true home of free Institutions
There are some features that sometimes iu-
termiUgle in, civil society, and receive pro-
| lection by the force of association. The
ivy clings around the mighty king of the
forest, but it does not help it to rear its
broad head to the clouds nor stretch it's
branches to the sky. So there are evils
connected with a nation which flourish by
| association with its Institutions and these
the present war is abolishing and making
the country truly and irrevocably Demo
cratic. There was, not long ago, species
of aristocrRcy in this country that was
quite as obnoxious to the institutions
of this nation, considered as a De-
mocracy, as the titled aris'ocracy of the
nobility of England. Senator Hammond,
Of South Carolina. in a speech in the SEN
ate of the United States, called the labor
ing white population of the North, "mnd-
sllls OF soCiety," greasy mechanics" and
:" small listed farmers ~ A writer in the
Southern Literary Messenger, which is re-
garded as the Mentor of rebel sentiment,
remarks, +" who will insist that the Saxon
lied maw-worms, creeping from the MAY
flower on the cold torbiddiug crags of the
North, have any right to kinship with the
White-souled Norman British Planter of a
gallant race, on welcoming sunny soil
Such are the Sentiments which are implant.
ed 10 the heart of the ~ chivalry" of the
South. RePugoauce to human labor, dis.
respect for the Tabor on the farm, and the
mechanic in bis shop, these are the centra
ideas of social life in the Rebel States
We thank God that this war has leveled il
great manner, these contemplate dis
tinctions to the ground. The change hat
been great and startling. The Yankee
fresh from the green hills of Vermont, the
touch OF whose greasy coat against the
stainless broadcioth of an F. F. ", a few
years ago, would have been considered
worse than the contaminatiog presence O
the ancient lepet, now coolly walks iutc
the mapsion OF the Southern planter, and
entersinto IN interesting conversation will
its portiy Proprietor on the beauties of thu
Constitutional Amendment. The persecu.
ted bondstheu, whose 'lacerated ba:k bearG
the lasting memorial ofthe slave driver'l
cruelty, nov urges his master that was
to enjoy the feliCities ofa Northern '' bas.
tile by the inviting process of placing q
bayonetbehind his person, and command
ing hin to march. The smiling dulcines
OF some ,chlValrous traitor, who was per
feet in the manly accomplishment Of thI
code duello, and who wore long hair, and
turned down his collar a la Byron, instead
OF listening 70 hts love:songs beneath he
window, iS borri6ed bv a Thousand voice.
breaking the stiffness Of the night ii
chanting "Baylon is fallen Baylon i
fallen We is gWine to occupy de land 1
Thus is THAI mtBeFabl gAnd Gcontemptibl
system OF east-this borrowed sycophsno.
OF the brainless Wretches who fawn an
bow and Smtrk before the Venal splen
dors of the European dignitaries-this mos
/ perfect lnanllton Of common sense and re
fued intelligence in the ,substitu
tion of 1euonentiIies. dressed in sill
and satins and blazing with tinseled geW
gaw,-all this is passing away into merite