The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-19
Kindness % the vanqu,shaea.

b The New York Journal of. Commerce.
says there is no better way to subdue the
South than the manifestation of kind dis
position. The bitterest enemy may re.
lent if met withsuc weapon. The case
now presented BY the vanquished South
aerners Gales for the exercise of the highest
order:of Christian charity, and, if the
opportunity is improved, will rebound
greatly to the honor of the American peo-
pie, as we'll as their Happiness and pros
!, A very touching picture is presneted BY
Virginia correspondent Of the Tribune,
who writes from the headquarters Of
Sheridans cavalry, as follows agtroJ So
Lam badly touched to the heart by seeing
these poor fhome-sick boys and exhausted men
(paroled rebel soldiers) wandering about in
their uniform, with scanty outfit of slender
haversack and blanketroll hung over their
shoulders seeking the nearest route home.
An occasional fortunate and careful one has
more on less plump haversack on bis back
If It may be considered fortunate to have such
an additional encumbrance, under the circum-
stances They generally warea care-worn and
anxious look, by their languid, ''played out,
manner admitting that they fare vanquished,
and by their looks silently appealing TO the
magnanimity of the flushed victors among
whom they pass, which, I am glad to say, IL
generally accorded. .o4 .'"4 ..L.J 80.
Near these, recognizing the usage of soldiers,
they now and then sit down, weary, hungry,
and athirst and sometimes ask for water, that
common, costless boon of nature; but In their
native pride, poor fellows, though 30 hungry,
thew hardly ever mention bread. This our
brave. thoughtful boys frequently give them,
tears scarcely being restrained on either side.
They Ill awhile, kindly spoken as reconciled
brothers.. which they are inquiring about the
best facilities of getting to their homes, by
rood old Federal means, or otherwise, and then
gathering up their scanty outfits, such as they
are, they trudge along, sometimes BY the old
red CLAW wagon road, and sometimes by the
more direct railroad some limping from the
effects of chafede feet, aided by an improvised
cane, and falling behind the main squad. If
there are more than two or three of them, to
be waited for little ahead.
Mos of these paroled prisoners that speak
of were impressed into the rebel service against
their wills. They were poor men and had no
interest In the rebellion; but might was right
In the South, and they were compelled to leave
theft homes and families and come out and
fight for the cause of the rich, influential lead
ers who had brought on the war for their own
personal aggrandizement. r.
Many of the poor fellows, if they survive to
get there, will find their humble homes desc.
late, with gaunt-eyed Want and Poverty sitting
on either side of the lowly portal. Ii is true
that s,ender-waisted, barefooted children, in
cotton frocks, and hollow-eyed, will run TO
meet them, and will clasp around them and
pull them down and kiss them, and kiss them
over again and again, in their wild Joy and
warm hearts, and true as ever beat in yirtuous
woman's breast, but bony hands and fearful,
sunken eyes will receive them at the door.
No luxurious meal will be spread such as
will greet our brave boys In their Northern and
Western homes when they return. And after
all their four years. hard fighting and depriva-
ton, in the forced service OF ambitious, bad
men, these poor returned soldiers of the South
will have no pocket books plethoric with
4" greenbacks, to open out before their starry
ing families TO excite visions, soon TO be real--
tied. of luxury and pieDty-no, not even acent-
of current money will they have TO buy bread
for those dependent upon them.