New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-25
CONQUEST AND CANCELLATION.

CONOuEsT AND CONCILIATION.
In war we use naturally and conveniently
the language ofwar, and speak of "yictory, "
conquest" " Suljugation" end "exiermna'
tion;" but much of this means no more than
our views of public justice, and much is merely
mctaphorcal There ia no reason why those
who are our "encmics in war should not De
Sin peace frends;" and it is extremely desirable,
especially under the circumstances of our own
case. that with the adjustment Of public dliier'
ences between the States, there should be also
resumption Of harmonious social relations
We think there can be no doubt of the utter
wearincsss with which the masses at the South
now regard the Rebellion, for which indeed
they had but small stomach at first; and TO
this feeling, without question. we owe, III some
degree, the near prospect of pacification. The
most desperate of the Secession leaders now
brighten their white followers, or seek TO doif, just
as the planters used to brighten their fueaciousy
inclined chaitels, who were told that III those
regions to which the North star pointed there
no population save one Of bears and
of sayages. The oracle Of Secession dole
fully predicts TO lis dupcs as certain
consequence OF surrender, oppression in all pos
sible and tie most unmitigated forms; and
these exasperating cautions are addressed to n
community understanding perfectly well that
serytude is as far a. possible from being joke.
What we shall want is the Southern ear, and
the opportunity Of reaching the Southern heart.
Ever since Slavery became topic of vehement
discussion, while our opinions and actions have
been scandalously msrepreseuted, We have
never been permitted TO defend ourselves; for,
to explain was 10 agtate, and TO agita,e was to
commit the objectionable political sim The
middle classes at the North and the South were
almost strangers TO each other. Now, please
/ God both will he better acquainted and the
Union will be restorcd-not by the cold acqui-
essence of an aristocracy based upon Slavery,
but By the good understanding Of honest and
enlightened men, whether they reside at the
South or the North. The oligarchy Is gone,
never TO reappcar. II began long act of SUI
eide at Charleston. and five years hence II will
be as absolutely dead a. the icudal lords who
followed William the Conqueror TO England.
II is with new order OF society al the South
tina, we shall now have 10 deal-with men who
do not believe personal labor to DE disgracciul,
and with women who are not ashamed 10 be the
efficient heads Of their households. With such
We have every reason to hope n reconciliation
will be easy and almost spontaneous
! From the beginning the Southern people have
been cheated by their leaders-cheated into the
belief that they were grossly injured by the
Free Statcs-that they were The constant OBJ
jects either OF Northern hatred or rspacity-that
we sought in some mysterious way 10 make them
, the tools OF our own mean and selfish purposes
tina, We could bargain well. spin well, make
money. and do anything bat fight, aud that
rather than risk our cash and the Union which
enabled rs 20 accumulate it, We would eat the
humbest Of pie and drink the diriiest OF draughts.
The war has most enectually disposed Of the
last class Of accusations. We have shown that
there are certain things which we value above
money, and certain possessions which We do
not propose to put into the market Success,
now so near to gladden. all honest hearts, will
be celebrated by grand illumination of mere
prcjudices. For our own part, We are all ready
to forget whatever it is impoltic and I'M
becoming to remember, and to forgive whatever
crimes it il safe for the State to pardon or over
look This we believe TO be the almost uni
versal sentiment Of the North, and one from
which the happiest influences and results will
follow.