The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-11-17


We have expressed our regret at the
III temper manifested by some df the
Southerne8 sines the overthrow Of the
rebel armles. But we frankly confess
that the general demeanor Of the con-
quered rebels has been quite rs good AZ
we supposed it would be. In judging
them, we are too apt 70 forget how deep
was the animosiiy engendered in their
hearts by thirty years Of political dis
cussion, and four years of War,Eith us.
The ocean, tossed by the long and rag
ing Storm cannot subsideintO calmness
in a moment, even amer the gales have
subsidized. It Is not yet I'VE months
since the rebellion stood up, armed,
defiant and mighty, holding At bay our
army, n million strong. When we re-
feet on the history OF our great con-
hiet, and ON the arrogant, excitable,
passionate nature OF Lbe Southerners,
we are not 80 much surprised that some
of them are stiIl suIlen and moody, a.
that any one should expect them by
this time to have become hearty snip
Portsm OF Onr government. Peaeeful
aequIeseenee IN the result is perhaps
all we had night 10 expect from many
of them for some time. When We ask
that they should Al once change their
opinions and habits and their very ma
lures, that they should love the govern
ment they have been hating so intensely,
that they should with JOY and aIacrity
pronounce their slaves free and begin
TO pay them wages and to treat them as
Freshmen, that they should instantly
call thdt good, which they have cOnsid.
cred bad, and that bad, which they have
considered good, when We demand that
such 4 complete transformation shall
be made In the twInkllng of an eye, we
demand too much. Our own conscious
ness, our knowledge ofouraelyes, should
teach us At least that. We willingly
eoneede this to those southern papers
which complain that the northern Jour
nails represent the temper of the south
erners as worse than It really is.
Though the conduct of many oHths old
shareholders Is EOolishand short sighted,
though some Of the rObel leaders wish
10 win at the polls the Syiet0Fy they
could not Winin the field, though many
ortho women, and oFthe hot headed
young men, indulge in Language insult
ting to the government, yet in view or
the considerations above presented, we
are NOT discouraged at the aspect OF af.
faIrs. We believe that time and a wise
and arm administration Of affairs will.
with the blessing Of Providence, bring
this nation mp out fits fluctuations.
But Just because we believed and still
believe that It 4 impossible for the
rebels TO become at one bound faithful
and earnest patriots, Because they cam
not In day or week turn back The
whole current OF their thoughts aud
passions, because therefore they cannot
atonee be safely trusted with the ndmin-
istration of ahilirs In the south, we have
from the outset argued that the general
government should retain military con-
troll over them until The resumption Of
commercial and social relations, refiec-
ton, and all the healing influences OF
time should have son eneti or obIitefated
old Nnimosities, cAlmed the turbulent
passions, and relSindled tim fires of nit
riOtiSm In their hearts. We know offiio
one In the north who wishes The
general government 70 retain a
longer thnn the general good require. |
Tho sohtheEnersi err II they suppose
that We cOVet the job of ruling their
States by military power. We have
had enough and more than enough ID
tho expense of sending soldiers 10 the
south. Wew0u1d gladly recall every
man and let him retuFnto his family
and to his regular industrial pursuits.
We all believe in State rights. We an
want TO $50 every southern STATE AZ
tenfing to its own internal affairs. Il
Is for the citizens Of those States 70 say
when they and I'VE can b sratifIed by
behOldtng so glorious contamination
OF our struggles. Just as soon as they
show by their loyal and orderly de-
meanor that by entrusting them again
With power the nation will not impariI
the fruits OF the war, viii not sacrifice
the freedom OF the black man, will not
restore tho nccursed doctrine OF Stats
sovereignty just 50 soon will every
man in the north be glad 70 see them
exercising all the lights OF citizens Of q
faithful StSte.