Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-07-07
The south for Union and Fraternity.

There is something in the calm resigna i.
ton of the Southern ople that appeals lr-
resstibly to the sympathy and forbearance
Of their conquerors: We know not ~heth-
err most to admire their heroism in war or
that moral courage that enables them to &C
cept with dignity and comporsure the con-
vanquished should behave more nobly and
moe creditablyin their hclplessness than
tie victors in their might. There are heard
no murmurs, no repinings, no petulant out
bursts Of rage and disappointment from the
South; but, too often, the language and
sentiment of hostility and sectional antipa-
thy prevails over the better feelings and the
Judgment of the triumphant North.
There is some excuse for the expression
of ranking spite and enmity 10 suddued
and impoverished people. with the pain and
modification of re cent discontinue swelling
their hearts with morbid sensibility; but
there is no excuse for the parade Of lower
nd the exhibition malice and res, ntDent
! in those who stand in the midst of trophies,
the acknowledged masters Of the field.
The conduct of the Southern people at-
tests the sincerity Of their abnegation Of
armed opposition to the Federal Govern
ment. With the same unanimity and iden-
tity of action aud purpose with which they
sp' ang to arms in defense Of their political
belief, they have now laid down those arms,
and with frank acknowledgment Of failure,
have expressed their desire to resume the
privileges and obligations of American citi.
zeuship under the Federal Uuion. They
were Told aud open foes so long as they re-
lied upon the agencies of war: their own
interests, no less than motives of self respect
and honor, are guarantees that they will
act in good faith as CO. workers in the miss
ion Of the Republic.
| The views and inclinations expressed by
the several delegations from Southern States
that have conferred with the President,
evince spirit that, if not repealed by harsh-
ness, will insure quiet ond natural relapse
to the normal condition of subordination to
civil authority, in the true intent of repub-
lcanism. The most violent and obstinate
partsans of secession have become u .quali-
fed submisSinists to the central rue. and
are to-day willing, even jealous, laborers in
the cause of tranquility, order aud rchabli
! TIT an.
No Confederate leader has been more &C
tive and efficient than General Forrest in
striking for the Southern cause. HIS name
is associated with the boIdest, the most des
perate and destructive phases of that par
tisan warfare which constituted one of the
most terrible resources Of the South. But
the fierce mosstrooper. the reckless raider,
no spread terror before him and left desc
lation behind, has been transformed, at the
first signal of peace. into the quiet and law
abiding citizen, giving bonds for his good
behavior. aud lending his valuable services
TO the Federal authorities for the suppress
ion of all lawless bands in West Tennessee
and North Mississippi. Is it not wiser to
accept The usefA friendship of such men than
to cup them to retain a brooding antag-
nlsm ! General Forrest is but type of
lie foremost Confederate chiefs Bitter and
furious on the war parth, they put aside
their cnmity when they surrender their
words There is DO inconsistency 10 their
conduct
As soldiers. they were energetic. stern
and dangerous to those oppose! to them in
arms :; as citizens, they will be the most
pcaceable aud obedieut disciples of law and
order. General Forrest says that he means
the oath Of allegiance he has taken in good
faith; that he is henc forward citizen of
the United States and friend of the Uuiop;
that he will aid the Government as far as
he can in restoring order; and that the au-
thorities may thereafter tr, him and hang
him il the3 see It,.
How is it possible for brave and gcner.
Gus people to harbor resentnents, or to seek
for vengeance against such men They are
disarmed, they are submissive, they a,e
powerless for evil. they are available for
good they ask our friendship, they invite
good will and mutual confi,lence--surely
we neither fear th, ii, so much that we can
not trust them, nor hate them so much that
we will not accept their offer of fraternity.
Shall We put manacles upon toe hands that
are extended to US ia invitation of a friend
" grasp 7 Shall We give the cold shoulder
to those who offer Cancellation and who, in
some capacity, ar, to be members of our
political househould ? The Southern people
must either be trusted as partners in and
co~inhcriors Of our republicauis:n, or our
rcpublicanism must be relinquishcd Which
shall it be There is no way. und our
legitimate system of government by which
they can be deprived of the fnll rights of
citizenship, while the people of the North
enjoy republcanism. We must change our
form Of government or co ,cede that the
South and its populations are upon a level
with ourselves in all ,litical prerogatives
The popular sentiment of the North is fast
tending toward an appreciation of this truth
and it will soon bo impossible to enforce a
viDdictive policy or to prolong tbs exercise
of arbitrary power without outragiug the
public feeling. But far better would it be
for those that now have influence 10 the
councils of the Republic to anticipate the
wishes of the people, and to accord full am
nesty and political equality to all classes Of
the South. as matter Of justice and expe-
diency, and not upon compulsion. --Ne,o
York Neus.
MEssEs DAVIS, CLAY AND MITCHELL "A
Fortress Monroe correspondent Of the Phil
adelphia Inquirer writes:
c. G. Claw has been taken sick his i'm