The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-09


institution Of slavery, and has opened wide the
way toa general publication of morals, politics,
religion, parties and churches, North and South.
Meantime, we suspect that all these rebel sym
pathizing outcries against the late military
court at Washington were and are designed to
relieve JEFF. Davis and other heads of the rebel
lion from the terrors Of the law. The fate Of
Mrs. Surratt warns them that Andrew Johnson
is not the man to be swerved from justice where
treason is involved although, considering the
responsibility of the North, the treason of levy
ing war, &C., resulting from slavery, may find
some palliation where the treason of deliberate
murder has found no loophole Of escape.
Social Condition OF tho South-Parolcd
Rebel Soldiers and tho Original seces-
sionists.
We have on several occasions stated that
day of fearful retribution would come upon
the leaders in the Southern rebellion-that the
time would come when the men who had been
forced into the secession movement and COM
PEELED to endure the hardships which followed
the rebellion would make it 80 unpleasant for
the leaders that they would find it too hot for
them to remain in the South. It has for long
time been our belief that the most severe pun
ishment that could be inflicted upon the leaders
would be to leave them to the tender mercies
of the people of the South. Our predictions
are being more than verified. It was but q
short time since that the question Of the gov
eminent being able to find jury in the Dis
trict of Columbia to try JEFF. Davis was dis
cussed, many Of the newspapers declaring that
it would be impossible to obtain . jury there
which would convict him. A delegation of
South Carolinians which happened at that time
to be in Washington manifested great surprise
at this view Of the subject, and Immediately in
formed government official that il they would
place JEFF Davis on trial in their State there
would be no trouble in finding jury to con-
vict him, and that it would not be necessary to
challenge single juryman. In addition to
this, numerous appeals have been made to the
administration by prominent Southerners for
protection against the outrages Of their own
people. All accounts agree that the original
secession schemes are meeting with q rough
treatment from the hands of the returned rebel
soldiers, the like of which was never before
known.
We publish this morning an extract from a
private letter written by surgeon in the Six
teenth army corps, now stationed near Selma,
Alabama, which is apropos to this point He
describes the social condition of that section
when the Union forces took possession; how
they found the rich and the leaders all at home
and the medium class conscripted into the
Southern army. From this scene he passes to
another view, when the paroled soldiers Of
General Lees and Johnston's armies returned
there, and adds: "These prisoners Of war
affiliated or fraternized at once with our (Union)
troops" 1t was really an era Of good feeling,
based on mutual respect. But, on the other hand,
they came back breathing vengeance against
the 'bomb-proofs.' The soldiers (rebeD were
openly defiant to what they themselves called
the damned old secesh, robbing them of mules,
cattle, provisions, &C." 1t il further stated
that several of the wealthy secessionists have
been hung. This is no overdrawn picture, but
comedies with numerous accounts that we have
received. Nor is all this the work of what is
vengeance Of men who have been forced against
their will to take up arms against the Union.
What is true in Alabama is also true of other
sections. ALL of the Southern States, with
two or three exceptions, were taken into seces-
sion in direct opposition to the wishes of q
majority OF the people. Those who were in
strumental in plunging the States into the rebel
an
lion managed to keep out Of the armies, while
those who opposed were forced in; and now
that the whole movement has collapsed the
original secessionisss find their deeds returning
to them with fearful import. A day of reck-
oning has come more bitter and severe than
they ever imagined could visit them. The
greatest mercy that the government can show
the Southern leaders is to arrest them and
place them beyond the reach Of the Southern
masses.
The radical politicians and fanatical editor
are raising great noise on the necessity o.
conlerring the right Of the elective franchise
upon the negroes to prevent the secession
leaders again securing the ascendancy in thu
South. Events which we are daily recording
are forcibly proving that the masses OF tn
whites are capable of managing that, and vii
attend to II effectually, assisted as they are b.
the restrictions of the President johnson am
nesty proclamation. Universal negro suffrage
| from the very nature of the social condition Q
the South, would, in our opinion, be the YER
thing which would enable the leaders 10 regal
their political supremacy. The negroes hav
been the property of the secession leaders, an
now that they have obtained their freedor
they look to the same men, their old masters
for employment II, then, they are allowed :
vote Unfortunately, retaining as they d.
their old prejudices against the poorer an
- Ill In mill ln