The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-05-31
calculation Of lbe chances of success.

towards the secession leaders of the South,
are we not also bound TO look uuon facts
from this stand point, as we'll as from the
radical one and are we not also bound 10
extend the same measures OF severity 10
leading and influential advocates of seces
sion wherever found, whether in the North
/ or the Soulh-espscially 20 those whose ad
'vocacy aBd support of that most mischiev-
ous heresy occurred at time best calcuIa-
! ted 10 prove fruitful OF dangerous results,
and at the same time, lacked the excuse OF
provoca;ion that proved so potent in The
! South?
Greeley, Beecher and Gerriit Smith have
! recently declared themselves in favor of
conciliaiory policy with reference to The
secession leaders OF the South basing their
appeals upon grounds OF e1pediency but
adroitly waving any aIusion TO their own
ins,rumentsiIy in the bad work that has
left such terrible marks upon the face Of
the nation. We can well understand the
motive of these appeals 10 the new Presi-
dent, and that there are other reasons than
those Of mere expedieney which have con
trihued 10 the sudden conversion of their
authors. But we are not diaposed 10 Judge
that motive hsrs5ly, however harshly and
unfairly they have invariably judged the
motives of oil who have dared to differ
with them. II may not be entirely safe 10
put 100 fine an edge upon The public sense
oi justice in times like these, lest when one
class of victims shall have perished, another
may he demanded and President Johnson
is himself keenIy conscious OF The existence
or the two classes of offenders equally de-
serving of punishment His speech in the
United States Senate in Feb 1861, iasien-
ing upon the seces.ioniSts Of the Massachus-
etis school and those of the South Carolina
breed equal guilt, together with his recent
declarations referring TO bis, past record as
The only indication he is prepared 10 give
Of his lnture policy in reference 10 this SUBJ
jeci, will not TAIL now lha! he is in posi-
,iou TO exercise a powerful, and perhaps
controlling influence upon this question. TO
miugle sentiments OF mercy with The rigid
sense OF Justice entertained by The most
cIamorous OF the radicals. There is no
des potism so malignant, so uncertain, and
so full OF peril even 10 those who may hap
pen 10 control il for the hour as the despo-
iism of popular passion. The writer hereof
Only asks that this despolism may yield TO
reason, and be compelled 10 recognize the
supremacy of law-that whatever OF pun
.hment there may yet be in store for seces.
sionists in the South or in the North NAV
be administered in pursuance, and with all
the sauctions OF law, without unfair dis
elimination against those q! one section, or
in favor of those of another, and with
full recognition Of all the circumstances Ell
ther of mitigation, palia,ion, or aggrava-
lon.
The facts already adverted TO clearly show
that there was far less excuse for the advo-
cacy Of secession in the North than in the
South, aud for this purpose only are they
now mentioned. Why, lbeo, should not
these Northern quOndGul advocates and pro-
meiers of secession, in their appeals to
Presideni, Johnson, honestly and frankly
admit, that they, TOO, have sinned, and ask
for their own sakes, as well as for reasons OF
public expediency, for that mercy TO their
Southern co.workers which they desire for
themselves
OF course this view OF the case is an ex-
ceediney offensive one to The Northern rad
icals-all The more offensive because in
their secret hearts they know it is true. OF
course it will call forth the usual dose ot
stale and dishonest twaddle about "disloy-
atty" and sympathy with "secession,"
though the whole spirit OF The communica-
lion is hostile to any such forced consruc-
ton. But the writer trusts that his 'loyal"
friends will do him lbe justice to remember
that The 'disloyalty" herein exhibited is
precisely OF the same sort as that of Presi-
dent Johnson, who is happy in the enjoy.
men; OF iheiF most cordial appreciation, not
wiIhstsndiue his well known sentiments in
reference 10 the guilt and sponsibiily OF
the 'Massachuselts" breed of secessionsis.
L.
M