The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1865-12-16
" Hostility 20 Reconstruction
Bad Spirit"

Bad Spirit
We have just read with much interest an
article from the New York Times, with the
above caption. The Times is one of the
ablest and most influential Journals in the
Republican party, and the sentiments ex-
pressed In the article referred to--coming
from such a somce-are entited TO the
serious consideration of candid men of all
parties.
After noticing the fact that every thing
which has transpired since the war goes to
show that the Southern people are sincerely
desirous of a genuine reconciliation--tllat
they have with one accord acknowledged
themselves vanquished-hayea accepted the
broad amnesty oath Of President JOHNSON
without hesitation OF reserve, thus putting
themselves In the path which he indicated
would take them back into the Union--in
short, that history might be searched
without finding another instance of van
quished people submitting with so good a
grace--the Times remarks:
''The great question of the day Is, now
that we have this display of good sense
and good feeling in the Southern people,
whether we shall encourage it. and make
the best of il, or meet IL with distrust and
aversion. 1t is shame that there shonld
be such question. The duty of the Gov
ernment and of the Northern people in
the premises ought to be plain enough to
every man to exclude all question. AS
victors in the war, we are bound by every
manly sentiment to generous policy Of
reconciliation. As Union men, in consis-
tent devotion to that cause in the name of
which the terrible struggle was maintained,
we are morally obliged, i'm consistency, 10
do our utmost to have the Union fully re-
stored Just so soon as it can be done safely
and without sacrifice of principle.
"All sacrifice of principle, il is true,
ought TO be opposed. The time of sacriiic-
ing principle to the South for the sake of
conciliation and peace has passed forever.
There will never be another compromise of
right with the South, and we thank Heaven
for it. But nothing of the Kind is asked
for now. The only sacrifice that is called
for is Il sacrifice OF feeling. That ought TO
be made to the last title Every old an
imosity and resentment should be utterly
cleared from our souls. Every memory of
former wrong should be eilaced forever
The favorable disposition of the Southern
people should be met with true brotherly
spirit, and the way should be made clear
for their early return to the endowment of
the common birthright. They are suffer-
ing people. The war has left them desolate
Poverty broods from the Atlantic TO the
Rio Grand. No change is possible until
the securities and blessings of the Consti-
tuition are restored.
''The political and social system of the
South must be relieved from all uncertainty,
and receive that stimulus that can come
only from participation in all the fullness
of American life. This speedy consumma-
ton is Just as needful for the nation at large
ms for the South. The national finances.
as all admit, are beset with peril They resi-
on foundation of irredeemable paper,
which never has been and never can be n
safe basis. What Is more necessary than
all else to stay up the National credit and
to restore sOundness To all the business
operations of the country, is n regaiming ofl
something like the old equilibrium of trade
between this and foreign lands.
But the preponderance must continue to
be scores Of millions against us until the |
great Southern staples are reproduced and |
supplied for export. As prerequisites TO |
that, the South must again be vitalized with |
tile life-blood- Of our institutions. Keep |
her under the iron heel of n military gov |
ernment, and there will be no more chance |
of her acquiring energy and thrift than |
there is in the case of Mexico. Treat her
with harshness and she will yield TO dis |
eouragement or, what would be still worse, |
W anu NinultllNtlthAs Inc NOuLn |
would be worse, even, than paralyzed limb |
upon our body polite. 1t would be an in |
curable ulcer, cankering and consuming the !
very life OF our national system. .1g
"Of any specific measures of reconstruc- |
ton, we do not now speak. We do not re- |
gard IL as question of measures so much |
as of spirit, Let truly liberal spirit pre- |
vail In Congress, and il would very easily |
shape all the measures needful for just, safe |
and quick reconstruction.
Every man in Congress who refuses to |
show this spirit and deyOtes himself TO the |
perpetuation of bitterness towards the |
South Ought to be accounted public en-
envy" ,,.... .,.,.t.. ..ti
JoHs A. BINGHAM and Columbus Delnno
have both discovered that the Constitution
of the United States, framed by Jefferson,
Franklin, and the patriots of the earlier and
purer days Of the Republic, is amiserable
botoh, and both propose TO tinker It by