Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-21
From the Philadelphia Press, 18th inst.
WILL THE UNION FIND TRUE FRIENDS IN
THE SOTTHY

I II should be remembered by all who have won
dered at the comparative dearth Of Union senti
! ment in the South, that until within very receh
period our armies have been partially held at ba!
! by powerful antagoniStc forces, and that while
hope of success has buoyed up those who cordially
supported the rebellion, ever-present dread o.
condign punishment has overawed and restrained
those who secretly sympathized with the NATIONAL
cause. Thus, the most powerful levers that lnfu.
ence the action Of mankind have exerted their full
force against us,
Shermans triumphant march, the capture OF
Richmond and the surrender of Lees army, have
changed all this UnioniSm is no longer magnet
TO attract persecution and ignominy, but badge
If honor wisdom, and security. Those who have
suffered for their fidelity to the old flag, and those
who display an eager promptitude now 10 seek lts
protection, must become the influential men OF
their section, because they alone can advance the
interests of the people among whom they reside.
Those who are disposed to cling with passionate
blindness TO the idol of an exploded Confederacy
will soon sink into obscurity, and either be CON-
PEELED by the force Of public opinion to abandon the
worship OF their fetish or practice it with the Sc
cresy Of Pagans seeking 10 perpetuate heatheh rites
in Christian land.
If ever an issue was bravely, persisently, ener
getically and thoroughly "fobght out" the indi-
visibility of our country has been thus decided
The rebellious States have not cried " enough"
before every available resource was exhausted,
men. money arms and ammunition failing, &c un-
conditional surrender" was the only alternative
left. The period has therefore arrived when the
rational men of all sections should and will ear
nestly endeavor, on the broad basis of UNION and
LIBERTY, 10
. Enrich the time 70 come with smooth. faced peace,
With smiling plenty, and fair, prosperous days
If moderation is displayed in the North it is only
fair to presume that, when the full purport of our
late victories is comprehended and digested through.
out the South that section will not be slow TO con-
tribute its share of the labor necessary to consum
mate the great work of psciication. Experience
has shown that wherever the triumph Of our arms
was assured, encouragement and assistance have
never been entirely wanting. Whether we turn to
the early stage of the contest in Maryland Missouri
and Kentucky-to a later period in Tennessee, Ar
kansas, and Louisiana or even to the recent de-
yelopments in Georgia, North Carolina, and Viz
einia we see that the germ of reconstruction was
found everywhere. And now that the pressure of
the vigilant and despotic Confederate Government
has been almost entirely destroyed we may fairly
expect these evidences of returning lor atty to re-
double in number, Importance, and influence, until
in very deed ''the whole, the boundess continent is
ours by the tacit consent of all its inhabitants
The first and most indispensable requisite of a
government is conclusive proof Of its ability to
maintain its authority. Where that is questioned
with temporary success, the unhappy people who
are subjected to diverse rule may we'll be pardon
ed for doubt and hesitation, or even opposition to
either claimant to their homage, while the adjourn
ed Issue OF supremacy hangs suspended upon the
nerilous chances of war. When that is concu
siyely and unalterably determined, all conflicts
allegiance are at an end, and the natural love o
order and security, common to civilized men, in
duces the wise, good, practical and industrious t
sustain the victor.