The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-06-21
Heroislaa Of the South.

Those whodeslre to brand the South
with dishonor cannot be weIl.wishers
for the future Of the Repablic. a mu.
tual respect and good feeling, here
after, depends upon the absence of all
irritating influences and hnmiliating
memories. 1t is as fortunate forus
as for them that the Southern people
have no cause to be ashamed of the
military reputation they have acquired
in this war. No enmity can erase
the record of their heroism, ard the
name of Southerncr will become a
synonym for valer. 1t is alleged that
the Southern people have erred in the
conception Of the nature Of their poit
ical rights and duties But, having
entered the arena as the chamyions Of
"a cause in whose justice they had
faith, it behooved the Southerners to
exert themselves to the utmost in it's
vindication It's acknowledged that
the Southern people had faith in the
justice of their cause and, therefore,
the stubboruess of their resistance,
the extent of their sacrifices and the
courage that they have exhibited CON
stitnte virtues that all the world-in-
GLIDING their adversaries-must adj
mire and respect. Never has devo-
ton more sublime, a bravery more
resplendent attested the. privilege of
q race to rank as heroes and TO be
respected as endowed with the lofti-
est attributes Of manhood. Ne make
no comparisons between their charac-.
teris:ics and those Of their opponents;
they are Of the same lineage, and, un
der the same circumstances, the same
courage and endurance would be man
ifest in the action Of either section
Being Americans, the people OF The
North cannot but be proud of,the sig.
nal proofs Of American prowess and
heroism that the South has traced in
its best blood upon the battle:felds Of
tins war. That they ht.ve fought at
all may be asuhject of regret; but
that they have fought SO well should
be theme for congratulation.
The highest tribute that can be
paid to the skill and courage Of the
soldiers Of the North. is the acknowl.
edgement Of The skill and courage Of
their adEersarics. There would be no
evidence of soldiership in the CON
quest Of a weak and cowardly foe. ~
Whatever praise we bestow upon tie
South contributes to the laurels ell
the North. 1t is, therefore, as min
dicious as it is impolitic,to attempt to
the Southern character. At|
the close of "a war with foreign
power, self-ilherest. if not a scnse of
courtesy, would prolnpteus to abstain
from invective. inTorder 10 smooth tllcI
way 10 the resumption of commercial
How mach more essen.
tial is it TO avoid, at the threshold of
peace, all disparaging illusions and
epitha.s toward those whom vel
wish shall dwell with us IN the same politi. !
cal household. The Southelnpeople are to|
be, if the popular hope be rea!iz d, The in
struments, in common with the people of
the North, Ct the Republics recnperat on
and future welfare. How senseless, then,
10 defaae them, and seek to render them
odious in the estimation Of the Northern
masses. Better far to encourage them, by
kindness and cancellation. to enter with aiac-
fity and spirit intothe mission that is before
them. let us join hands cordially. in the
CONJUNCTION that these who have been such
brave foes lllmake ire fritnds, and are
worthy Of the full privileges of American
citizenship. New York News.