The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-08-02

| they might. To stand neutral they could
not, and 10 choose between the State and
he United States was death. Surely
| principle 80 monstrous and absurd cannot
be enforced. There were thousands and
| hundreds OF thousands in the Southern
States who deeply regretted the secession
OF their States, but after the State had se
ceded felt that their first allegiance was due
TO the State. But, MIR. Chairman, the seces
sion OF eleven or twelve sovereign States,
/ composing one-half Of The territory of the
United States, was something more than a
rebellion Ii was legitimate war between
two sections, and they acted toward each
other, throughout the war, as recognized
belligerents, and were so treated and rec
ognized by foreign nations. Prisoners were
exchanged between the two belligerenls,
and none were treated as traitors during the
whole OF the four years war. Hundreds
of thousands Of prisoners were thus ex-
changed. The highest generals, as WE'LL as
the humbest privaIes, were treated as cap
tured soldiers by both governments, and
exchanged. Surely a general officer who
has been exchanged wLile this gigantic wa!
was waging, cannot now be demanded as a
| traitor, tried, and executed as a traitor.
| There have been few national wars in Eu-
rope in which greater armies were carried
into service and on the field OF battle. la
all history there is not more perfect model
o. pure and great man (save Washinglon)
than Gen. Lee. That he should now be
hung as traitor would be an act of nations
al infamy that would shock the whole civ
iIized world, and render the name o! The
United States odious in history.
While do not think, Mr.. Chairman, that
the whole people OF the Southern States
have behaved we'll in this war, and done
their duty at home and on the field of battle,
yet there is very large proportion of them
who have won immortal honors, and whose
glory in war and wisdom in council will
illustrate many bright pages in history
They have been unsuccessful in their revo-
luton, but this should not, and does not de-
tract from their heroism and gaIlantry Oh the
field OF balile, or their craftsmanship iu the
cabinel or halls OF legislation. They will be
remembered and houored as heroes and pa
triots, not only at the South, but in the
North, too, as soon as passion subsidies, and
sober reason and calm reflection assume
their sway over the public mind. cannot,
aud would not, Mr.. Chairman, ask my fell
low-cilizens 10 forget the past in this war
so far as the Mort is concerned There
have been deeds of aHocily committed by
tie United States armies which can never
be forgotten in The Southern States. But |
do entreal them 10 become loyal citizens,
and respect the national authorities of The
republic. Abandon, al once and forever, all
notions of secession, notification and dis
union, Determine 10 live and teach your
children TO live as true American citizens.
There will be in the future, il there is not
now, as much of pride and grandeur in the
name of "American Citizen" as there once
was in that of ''Roman citizen" The re-
public is destined 10 so on increasing in ma
tional power and greatness for centuries TO
come. As soon as the ferment OF The Tevo>
luton subsidies, we shall be restored 10 all
our civil rights, and be as free aud republi-
can as we ever were. There is no reason
why there should be any sectional jealousy
or i-feeliugs between the North and the
South. Tney are greatly necessary 10 each
other. Their interests are dependent, and
not rival interests: and now that slavery is
abolished, there will be no bone OF conleu-
ton between the two sections ! though;
Mr.. Chairman, that when The Southern
States seeded, there was an end 20 repubi
can institutions, that The great American ex-
pertinent was failure, and that we should
soon have, both al the North and in the
South, strong military governments, which
would be republican in name only. But,
sir, my hope Of republican institutions has
revived with the restoration of The Union
Ii is crying shame 10 think that mankind
free and enlightened, are no. capable of
governing themselves; that they must have
master, ruler, in the shape OF king or
monarch, 10 govern them, who may not
have as much sense or virtue as the hum
blesI OF his subjects. II civil government is
once more restored in the South, and the
ship of state gets fairly under way again
we may be assured of the perpetuity OF re-
publican primer pies. In all of The seeding
States except South Carolina aud Florida,
provisional governors have been appointed
with view 10 the restoration OF civil au>
thority in those States. This has mol been
done in South Carolina, because the people
have not yet given sufficient demonstration
OF their willingness 10 return to their allie
glance to the United States. AS soon as
this is done by the people in their primary
assemblies, provisional governor will be
appointed by the President, with power to
call convention of the State, for The pur-
pose of reforming the constitution and abol-