The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-04-16
From Washington.
IconespOndence Of the Ma hv,Ile Usion
W.sr,scrov A,,..;i -ln4h 1cer

lcouespondence Of the Ma hv4lle Usion Il
WASHINGTON, April 10th, 1865. +
We live in eventful times. After az
week OF joyous intoxication, we retired
to our couches last night, almost per>k
suaded that Lee and his war-worn
army were destined 10 reach refuge
ln the interior where they would be in {
ia eendition TO offer further resist
'snee, Of however short duration, to the
victorious march Of General Grants
.legions. But the roar of cannon and
speal Of bells which awoke us from our
sslumbers this morning told plainly
THAT something of unusual moment had
occurred.
Investigation revealed the fact tkat
zthe Army of Northern Virginia had
surrendered to our forces, and thus had
vanished the last hope of the rebel.
Zion; for the rebels have long admitted
Sthat General Lees army was the last
Fay of hope left them. The spirit Of re-
! loicing Is so general that the fault-find-!
ng few who are upbolding General
irant FOR his leniency are hardly WORTH
5aoticing. That every body should be-
pleased at anything that light be doneI
was not to be expected. 4 medical
<ap % oy,no ,-a,,,o Ill ~ - ..,,-o.i
resemble the gods more than when ad
sninistering TO the relief Of pain and
CHE restoring health to the afflicted,
md ! think it equally appropri-
tie 10 remark that men never
resemble the gods more than
when showing magnimity to foe.
Magnanimity is the noblest attribute
sof our natuEe, and history Whites men!
Edown great and good nearly in proper
ion to the degree in which they mani!
'est this virtue in their dealings with;
) the world.
The terms proposed by Gen. Grant,
and accepted by Gen Lee, are not only
N unison with the magnanimous poli-I
y of the President, but in allowing
these men to return to their homes,
rom the commanding General to his
o"est private, and pursue that peaceI
Tor which they have so long sighed,
! Sen. Grant has held out an inducements
! chat will produce the surrender Of ALL
the other Confederate armies in less
than thirty days. and the life and suf
stering that will thus be saved, and tie
consequent Joy that will thrill the loneH
anxious mothers, wives and sisters oil
FOUR braves, (none of whom have moreg
athan life to give ought TO be compen-E
sation enough to satisfy those who hayet
cherished feelings of vengeance in the:
ematter. am willing to trust the issue
s@ith them, confident that the peoplel
aTill stand by them in the adoption oil
Aany measures consistent with the Pres
sidents oft repeated policy, provided
athose measures bring peace and stay
jthe further effusion Of blood.
I Moreover, it is well remembered that!
sthis action on the part of Gen. Grant
5does not fix the future status of any
one. 1t merely Guarantees that the.
rebels shall be free from harm by the
UNITED States forces so long as they OBJ
erve their parole; and is also signif-
scant US indicating the spirit of hberali-5
10y which animates the government, and
(which is designed to win the respect,
! and, if possible, the esteem of those;
misguided people, upon whose loyalty
and fidelity so much of the future pros
qeriiy and happiness Of the Southern
section of our country depends 4
government not respected By It's o.0a peopl,s
sis al'oagY ,ceak.
Upon Congress, / presume, as the re
preventative of the American people {
llwill dey9lve the great queyt ton Of fi4aI
Isettlement WITH the rebels. II VIII be-
FOR them to say how far eonfscation,s
Acknowledgement, and banishmentE
shall be carried. | am one of thos
who believe that those who have rashly
Quilt hopes upon seeing forty miles OF !
swinging rebels, including General Off {
GERS, Congressman, Senators, Cabinet
!: and President, Governors, and highs
civil functionaries, as grand faole of {
tine rebellion, will be disappointed :
The indications are that the civiiiza-!
tion of the age, whether it be true OF
false, is averse 10 the breaking, in cool
elaboration, so many necks, though
lshey be bad ones, and deserve nothingk
better. Some examples, however, Wilt
doubtless contribute to the general vel
fare of society, and serve as whole
some reminders to future generations
"a an hour of discomfort
The departments are closed, and
there is general rejoicing in the city )
1 shall endeavor from time to time toEs
post your readers il regard 10 the sen.
riments and workings of the people 8
acre, relating to the momentous ques- Is
tons of the hour GREENvILLE