Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-25

n PROMISES made by Seward to his people, was
,ho, the Union should not only be restored, but
,ha, IL should be with the cheerful consent and
snicable acquescence Of the people OF the South
There should be reconciliation as well as recon-
.,ruetion, IL was very much such language as this
that was held by the Ministry, with reference 70
the revolutionary Colonies, when our independence
was being won, and it was in reply to Siihiiar
nledre BY Lord North, that the MARQUIS Of Granny
said, in the British Parliament
e In Gods name, what language are you now
.. holding out TO America Resign your properly
8. dyest yourselves OF your privileges and needom'
.. renounce everything that can make life comfort
- able, or we will destroy yopr commerce, We VIII
az involve your country in all the mseres oil famine
- and il YOU express the sensations OF hen at snch
.. harsh treatment, we will put yourselves and your
- families To tire and sword And yet, sir, the
8. noble Lord on the floor (Lord North) has told
- this House that reconciliation Is the sole ohJect
.. Of his wishes. hope the noble Lord VIII par
:. don me if dOubt the perfect sincerity oil ms
&, wishes. at least SIR, his actions justify my
4. ioubt for every circumstance in his whole con
6. dnct with regard TO Anerica, has directly mill
. tated against his present professions and what,
.. are rayaging their coast and extirpating their
v commerce, and are withheld only by your imPo-
"a tence from spreading fresh ruin by the sword
- can they SIR, suppose such chastisemenl Is III
=. tended TO promote reconciliation, and that you
s, mean 10 restore to their torlorn country those
- liberties you deny to their present possession,
., and. in the insoence of persecutioBs are CON-
:. passing earth and sea to destroy! You can with
8. no more Justice compel the Americans to your
- obedience by the operation of the present meas
9. ures. than ruflian can found equitable claim
a. 10 nv possessions when he forcbly enters my
- house, and with dagger al my throat, or pistol
" at my nreasi, mas :S se@, deeds "hi"h viii wall
=. convey to him my estate and property"
To the stigma OF ''rebellion," sought to be at
tached to the Revolution then, Us it is now to
our war for selEpreservatiOn the noble speak
err replied in the following words, which we need
hardly say breathe sentiments too catholic AMI
elevated for Yankee comprehension
81 have very clear, very adequate idea of
" rebellion, at least according to my own princi-
" pies; and these are the principles on which the
revolution was founded. 1t is not against whom
war is directed, but it is the justice of that war
- that does or does not, constitute rebellion If
g the innocent part OF mankind must tamely relin-
g quish their freedom, their property, and every
" thing they hold dear, merely to avoid the impu-
" tation of rebellion, beg, sir, it may be consid-
" cred what kind efpeace or loyalty there willthen
q exist in the world, which consists only in vio-
lence and rapine, and is merely to be maintained
for the benefit OF robbers and oppressors. hope,
9. sir, | shall be believed when l assure you that
50 aln.as warm friend to the interests OF my coun-
try IS any man in this House but then it must be
=, understood when those interests are founded in
=. Justice am not attschyi TO any particular. acre
.. of land. The farmer in Cumberland or Durham
. a, as little connected with me as the peasant
- in America 1t is not the ground man
stands on that attaches to him; it is not the
air he breathes that connects me with him; but
it ia the principles Of that maa-those indepen-
dent, those generous principles OF liberty which
81. he processes, cooperating with my own, which
call me forth as his advocate, and make me glory
&. in being considered his friend"