The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-04-19
shall we Restore the Union,
or Wreak Vengeance? ~

lie is no Union man who will not
grant to the people of the South such
terms as will make the Union tolerable
Ito them. And he is inhuman who thinks
Of nothing but bullets and gibbets for
the Southerners, now that they, are help
|lessly at our mercy.
Il has always been a strange pbenemc-
mon that men should become infuriated
land fy to cutting each others throats out
Iof great love for humanity. Yet the
Crusade against slavery has no other
Foundation. Many join in it through
misguided philanthropy, and many others
3grasped it as an efficient tool for dema-
Igogues. Corrupt politicians and ranting
fanatics rode upon it into power. The
morbid philanthropists, aud the political
lhypocrits, We'd with each other, wEo
should display the greatest agony over
lthe miseries of mankind and it was i'm
possible to distinguish the genuine from
I the spurious.
But now they are to be put to the test
If humanity prompted them to urge on
THE war, it will now manifest itself by
1prompting them to humane treatment OF
/ our disarmed and helpless enemies. If
patriotism was the motive, it will now i'm
3pel them to favor such measures as will
3be honorable to all sections, and reconcile
3the Seutherners to restored and united
scountry. saesn
But if they tax their ingenuity to de-
lvise schemes with.which to impoyerish
3humiliate and oppress the defenseless
3Southern people, it viii be proven, be-
lyond doubt, that they were hypocrits
when they lamented over the evils Of
slavery, and demagogues when they
lyaunted their love for the Union. -
The man who would sacrifice Eve hun
ldred thousand lives to restore the Union,
but would not exercise very little gen
3erosity to restoIe it, is neither good mar
NOR good citizen. He can no longer
cover his ranking sectional hatred with
the mantle of patriotism. After the
enormous sacrifices which have been
made Of lives, and limbs, and treasure
the man who will not sacrifice his misera-
able thirst for vengeance, to happily unite
the country, is a base, bad man. And the
man who ayows that his humanity toward
Ian enslaved race, prompted his zeal fol
swar, distinctly pronounces himself hyp.
3ocrite, if he insists upon breaking tht
3spirits, humiliating, expressing and en-
aslaving another race.
That feeling alone deserves the name
aof philanthropy which would have al
9men hapPg. The feeling which would
3exalt an indolent and ignorant race t.
powers and privileges high above theil
deserts, and would degrade and ysks
Idown a high-spirited and enlightened
apeople, cannot dwell in the same bosom
with humanity. The Roman tyrant wht
Hraised his herse to the dignity of consul
.
WAS governed by just such feeling. TIL,
! aone is as humane and patriotic as th'
aother..
4 Whether the South becomes part o
athe Union, or mere down -trodden ap
4pendage, like Poland, depends upon which
8class of the Abolitionists prevails at Wash
3ington. IF the more humane and patri
lotic gain the ascendency, it is possible tt
8haye restored Union within the mex
flew years; but if the Administrators i
agoverned by the narrow minded venge
aful demagogues, there will never be I'm
zion until that party is broken down.
4 The question then soon to be decided
His, shall we restore the Union, or shal
I'VE wreak our vengeance on the helpless
aSeuthsrn people? Upon the decision o
this question more depends than on an.
3battle that has yet been fought.