Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-19
A HEALTHY SIGN-THE NEW YORK
TIMES.

This is one of the leading Republican
journals of the North, and its editor, HoN.
HENRY j. RAYMOND, is one of the leading
Republican members of the House. 1t was
thought sometime since that the Times was
assuming conservative tone. A few days
before the melting of Congress it fell back
into its old spirit of radicalism again. We
regard il as a favorable indication, now, to
find such editorials in that paper as the one
from which the following extract is
made. 1t shows, we think, that a divis-
ion is. likely TO take place in what is
known as the Radical element of Congress,
which, thus far, has been so overpowering as
to carry everything before it by the mere
decision of the party caucus:
The true policy is to expedite rather than delay
the readmission of the Southern Representatives
and Senators. 1t is neither right nor safe for any
part of the country to leglslate Tor another
part of the country, without giving IL any
voice in that legislation. Representation is the
vital principle Of republican institutions Its de-
NAL TO any extent impairs the normal operation
of our government, and opens the way TO all
kinds Of abuses No one thing is so important as
TO rid the South Of that old spirit of soctionalism
which was the growth of slavery. The great Ell
fort of true craftsmanship now must be TO animate
the South with new life which shall be thorough
ly identified with the national life, and have
complete community OF spirit with the North and
ifdiscriminations are TO be kept up against the
South especially the EXTREMIST Of all discrimina-
m0Ii OF nS si8 !" a%s IN the framing of which
il has had no part. That will be sure TO beget a
sense of most grioyous oppression, and the result
would inevitably be the intcnsest hatred, on the
n art of tho Southern DpOpp. of those thew deemed
their oppressors To shut tho eyes 10 this certain
~ is TO be blind TO American nature. Whatever
the motive the act is one OF intatuatiOn.
The South is now in its most impossible stage.
All Southern men are waiting TO see how southern
submission will be treated by tie North, OF the
fair and conciliatOry disposition of President
johnson they are well satisfied. Yet he is but
single man. OF spirit of the Northern people
toward them they are still m doubt. Any un,
friendly manifestation by Northern Senators and
Representatives will be taken proof that the
Northern people have no desire again 10 frnter-
nize with them, and mean only to be their mas
tiers. An Enthusiastically generous and magnani-
nous policy by Congress IN admitting their Re
personalities, and burying the past, would soon
overcome their last lingering resentment, and eX-
nunre the last trace of that sense of humiliation,
which cannot exist without bitterness. jealous
and rigorous line of treatment would, on the
other hand soon CONCEAL every better impulse of
the Southern people into aninfcxible determine
ton to oppose and thwart the government in
every practicable way, and would perpotuate the
spirit of sectonaliSm in is worst form for years
and perhaps generations.
Some say that the new loyalty Of the South is
still very defectve-that IL consists in profession
mainly. We can hardly cOncede this TO be OK
actly so but il this Southern loyalty is yet i'm
mature, IL ~ the very reason why II should be en-
couraged and strengthened. Wehave net a doubt
that the predominant feeling in the Northern
heart to-day, toward the South, Is yearning for
complete reconciliation. ltwould be blessed in
fuence upon the Southern people if they could
truly know this But they cannot know il, except
through the words and actions Of Northern Con-
rressmcn. Let those Representatives look well
10 il that they do not give occasion for n miscon-
ccption of tho real spirit OF the North. They
cannot long continue TO keep the gates of the
Capital barred against all southern representa-
ton without producing upon the Southern mind
n most misChievOus impression, that the North
means not to be reconcilod, but to dcmineer and
degrade.
What harm can Southern representation do ?
Evon supposing the worst, that IL would be dis
affected and factous il would still form but n
weak minority in either House; and even If made
an alliance with all the Democratic strength. the
combined force would still be less than two-iifths
of either body. The Thirty ninth Congress upon
which dcvolves the completion Of this work of
reconstruction. has a magnificent Union strength,
which no possible combination of malign ele-
ments can hinder from working its own high
will. Let il trust to that strength, and be fear
lessly generous. Let il admit at early day,
into its hosom all the truly accredited Represent
tativcS Of the southern people, SO that IL shall
have every facility 20 legislate intelligenty and
Justly for the South. as well as for every other
part of the land. This is what Is imperatively
demanded by the spirit OF national concord, and
by every practical interest Of the Union. No
speculative dogma. or old resentment. ought TO