The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-09

country If the South was where il
was two years ago, it is a quiet thoug int,
would the Southern papers be as mild as
they are now? 1t is answer enough, that
they then demanded a Brutus, and offered
rewards 1t is enough that even now, in
many places, as at Memphis, the JOY Of
the scoundrels was open.
The conduct of these men is modified
only by necessity. The paroled men still
flaumt their rebel uniform wear, as
Gen. Gordon styles it, at Norfolk, % the
garb of treason Or did till he stopped
it. They 60 home to Maryland, and,
says one paper, g they put on the air of
conquerers. "They are" SAYS another,
'as defiant and pompous as though they
were perfect heroes" Lees disbanded
men not only rob, they burn houses, and
Union soldiers have been assassinated near
Richmond. This is the temper of men
whose friends ask pardon for their un-
righteous cause.
1t is true that most of them feel that
their case is hopeless. They know they
are beaten. But they submit merely to
force. They justify themselves as strenu-
ously as ever. They are not changed in
the least. The same spirit which animat-
ed them in 1861, does now. They are
still vindictive, treacherous and POM
pous. They are the chivalry still-and
that means, with them, the spirit of hell.
They da,aa,a to be restored, not l,ar,'onai.
They have, they think, done nothing to
deprive them of the rights of citizens
"The spirit of the people," says Camp
bell to the President, is unbroken, and
they can be conciliated only by restoration
to every former privilege" Did anybody
ever hear of such impudence Would
not the history of every criminal court in
the world he searched in vain to find a
parallel for such unblushing etirontery
Conciliatc these williams, We do not
want TO conciliate; we want to make
them feel the iron hand. We are not in
the habit of conciliating telons: We I'M
prison them Nor murierers we hang
them. And the brilliant Judge who con-
ceived this idea must have laughed in his
sleeve when he thought that - brass -
might still gull some Northern dough-
faces.
Even Lee tries the same thing {" I'm
less moderation and liberalitv he exercised
toward them, the country will lose its
best people" Its best people. Think Of
that. descendants of the pilgrims, Think
of that. solid men of New York. Buck
eyes and Hoo>iers. patriots of the Mi>si>-
sippi Valley. The best people" OF the
country will leave. unless you place these
men back in power. pay their confederate
debts. and let them be Your lords and mas
ters. Trcmble at such a threatened loss
The country will be ruined Ii reminds
one OF an old dog, ugly and cross. snarlins
and gnashins his toothless gums: only
tbs dog has some pups of a rather bad
breed. who need looking after ''Lose It's
hest people" To lose the stuff that we
have fought Is just what we want Ii they
would only leave the country, what Il glo-
rious settlement of all perplexitic>-
How strange these people cannot learn
TO be decent. Defeated. and vet they
have the same old airs of ridiculous as
sumption. AT the mercy of the nation.
and Yet insulting il Learning nothing
by their follieS. exhibiting their old spirit
OF evil. in the very hour of their downfall
not 4 noble, manly spirit which one could
reSpect-but ugly. assuming and traitor
Gus They express no penitence for the
past, but rcatiirm their reasonable notions
They offer no security for the future bui
give every indication that if future oppor-
tunily allows, they will renew the same
iniquitics. Who can trust them! Who
can think OF allowing a single man who
has borne commission, or held Office, or
given dollar. in rebel service-ever to
vote. Let them all he disfrslnchiSed for
ever: the masses. also, until years have
made them harmless: and the leader,
known no more.