North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-05-10

most mischivous heresy occurred at time
best calculated to prove fruitful Of dangerous
results, and at the same time, lacked the ex-
cuse Of provoca,ion that proved so potent in
the South I?
Greeley, Beecher and Gerril Smith have re.
Gently declared themselves In favor of con-
ciliatory opolcy with reference to the seces.
sion leaders Of the South basing their ap-
peals upon grounds of erpediency, but ad-
roitly waving any allusion to their own in
strumentality in the bad work that has lett
such terrible marks npon the face of the ns-
tion. We can we'll understand the motive
of these appeals to the new President, and
that there are other reasons than those of
mere expediency which have contributed to
the sudden conversion of their authors. But
we are not disposed to judge that motive
harshly, however harshly and unfairly they
have invariably judged the motives OF all who
have dared to differ With them. 1t may not
be entirely safe to put too fine an edge upon
the public sense of justice in times like these
lest vixen one class of victims shall have
perished, another may be demanded and
President johnson is himself keenly cons
clous of the existence of the two classes of
offenders, equally deserving Of punishment.
HIS speech in the United States Senate in
Feb. 1861, fastening upon the secessonists of
the Massachusetts, school and those of the
South Carolina breed equal guilt, together
with his recent declarations referring TO his
past record as The only indication he 10 pre-
pared to give Of his future policy in reference
to this SUBJECT, will not fail, now that he is in
position to exercise powerful, and perhaps
controlling influence upon this question, to
mlngle sentiments Of mercy with the rigid
sense OF justice entertained by the most clam
orous OF the radicals, There is no de spotism
so malignant, so uncertain, and so full OF peril
even 10 those why may happen to control ii
Tor the hour, as the despotism of popular
passion. The writer hereof only asks that
this desFotIsm may yield to reason, and be
compelled to recognise the supremacy of law
that whatever of punishment there may
yet be in store for secessionists in the South
or in the North may be administered in pur
suance, and with all the sanctions of law. with
out unfair discrimination against those of one
section, or in favor Of those of another, and
with full recognition of all the crcumstan
ces either of mitigation, palliation, or aggra
vation.
The facts already adverted to clearly show
that there was far less excuse for the advo-
cscy of secession in the North than in the
South, and for this purpose only are they
now mentioned. Why, then, should not these
northern quandam advocates and promoters
of secession, in their appeals to President
johnson, honestly, and frankly admit that
they, too, have sinned. and ask for their own
sakes, as well as for reasons of public expe-
diency, for that mercy to their southern CO.
workers which they desire for themselves
| OF course, this view of the case is an ex-
ceedingly offensive one to the Northern rad
icals-all the more offensive because in their
secret hearts they know it is true. or course
il will call forth the usual dose of stale and
dishonest twaddle about "disoyalty" and
sympathy with secession" though the whole
spirit of the communication s hostile to any
such forced construction. But the writer
trusts that his "loyal' frierds will do him
the justice to remember that the "disoyalty''
herein exhibited 10 precisely of the same sort
az that of President Joh nson, who is happy
in the enjoyment of their most cordial appro-
bation, Notwithstanding his well known sen.
timents in reference to the guilt and r.sponsi
biIity Of the Massachusetts" breed of seces
sionists. L.