Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-23
RICHMOND WHIG,
TUESDAY MORNING. MAY %, 1866
TIE ERA OF PEACE-OsTRACIsM DE-
NOUNCED.

The Baltimore Clipper protests strongly
and justly against the further persecution
of Baltimoreans Who have been identified,
or were sympathizers, with the Rebellion
1t says:
Now there are several classes here who
demand our forbearance. And the first we
shall name-the lcOmen. We know they are
impulsive, W arm in their sympathes, prone
to be led off in the way many Of them have
been by admiration for certain specimens of
false herosm. 1t has been the case with
the sex since the world was created. Fore
most in everything almost that appeals TO
the feelings, it has been their province al
ways to construct wreathS to embroider
fl Igs to urge forward their deyoteeS in any
case where they consider the honor of their
friends involved. And if numbers Of them
have been misled, if they have not seen the
true tendencies OF a conflict which in thou
sands OF instances has puzzled wiser and
cooler heads Of the other sex, both az homo
and abroad, let us not, unless We would
shame our natures as men, pursue those OF
the weaker sex with an implacable anger
which will not be satisfied. To do this TO
an extreme, now that the war is ended,
would be neither like Christians or gentle
men. They are humHed, moriified-let
them rest.
The next class we shalt mention, are the
deluded youths, VINO with 10 discernment
OF the end from the beginning, started out
in pursuit of 'glory," impel,ed, in vast
number of instances, to the role they under
took by the influence OF the weaker sex
aforesaid. We have called them the "weaker
SEX" almost since Eve fooled Adam out of
Paradise but he is poor reasoner upon the
influences which shape human events, which
mould the deStinies OF nations, who is not
ready TO acknowledge the influence women
must exert on all the affairs Of life. IL is
now no new thing in the history Oi the world
that women make and mar the destinies of
empires, that the Mark Antony's are many
who are misled to their hurt by the Cleopa-
tras, and We know what the dc Maintenons
and Scottish Mary did in their respective
countries, III the influence they exerted over
what We are proud TO call the "Stronger SEX"
Ignoring or defying all precedent, tnen, why
should we now be swift TO visit upon the de-
luded lads who to please certain of the softer
sex, thought they we're doing just the thing IN
hunting up the rags and yermln OF the Secesh
camp,-why visit on them, We say, merci-
less punishment; why not, since the war is
at last over, give them chance to mead OF
their follieS, 10 make OF, themselves good
citizens We ale not speaking now OF tic
grosser offenders, of the Harry Gilmors,
and others of like unenviable noloriety; but
of the humber actors on the wrong side in
the great drama just closing.
And now let us call attention to grave
fact, in this connection, to one that cannot
be ignored. If all who have been wrong in
Al. nofr nnfy cd drtu n
out without mercy, let us inquire-where is
the thing to stop when in TIE matter Of a
vote on as vital question as the adoption of
the New Constitution, the Union cause CON-
manded in this city but twelve and odd thou
sands out OF nearly thirty thousand or there
| about votes? Can the city afford even an
approximation to the persecution which
seems to be contemplated by some must
there not be some toleration if we are to
maintain the prosperity Of the city and to
increase itg