The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-08-01
A SIGNIFICANT ARTICLE.
+ From the Washington Chronicle, ]
The Policy Ofth GOvernment--Ths Duty
ofthe Southern People.

eminent has adopted general policy, which,
though liable to be amended or changed by
controlling or unexpected events, Is preva-
ded by one cardinal principle to which all
Americans agree cau save only those who
sill hope for the division of the country; and
those are so few in number that they are an
ainless minority even among the malignant
debris of the late rebel army. This principle
is, that the Union must be restored on t. e
basis and in the spirit ofuncoaditional obedi-
ence to the Constitution and the laws. De-
tails may be abandoned, and new remedies
applied but this, the chief object, will be
kept unchangingly and unsompromisingly in
view. To crown with success no honorable
expedient should be disregarded. -Wbete
there is willingness to co operate and to aid
there should be willingness to reclprocate and
reward Where there is slubborness or boss
tility, there should not be wanting resolution
to resist or courage to punish. Such bel q
the we'll known policy and temper OF the
Government, let US now consider toe rel"N
tive duty of the Southern people, these wi'u
whom, 10 the work before and around it, the
agents of the Government have mainly to
deal,-We do not conceal that the defeat OF
the Rebellion has left many threatening re"
sentiments among these people, nor that there
are had men who continue to nhame these
resentments nor do we deny that it may take
years to subdue the disappointed feelings and
homes of tue baf1ed leaders. 1t is in full view
of these facts that we would address the lbs
habitants Of the Eouth, and lay before them
in plain language what we consider to be
equally their duty to the mselves and to the
Government of the United States We do not
assume to speak by authority, and we have,
therefore, no privilege, even If we had any
disposition to dictate. We appeal to them to
in
facts which no petulence can make less patent
and no anger less severe With the Govern
ment there is not only the right but The might.
Let this truth be accepted Thea comes the
next consideration for the South--how 10 show
that they are prepared for tue aew SAFE OF
things To our mind nothing could be easier;
it calls for no humiliation; ii askes only
common sense and ordinary business foresight
and aptitude.
The first step is very clear; it is to say, and
| to follow the saying of it honest deeds,
there is no szaves IN america all men are free.
This felt and followed by acts not by lies
or tricks, or evasion, the.hrst step is taken,
and taken forever. Then CONES the labor
question You want these slaves to work for
| yoa. Pay them tor this work, aad pay them
WE'LL evenliberally. Don't try &c, punish them
because your folly or treason (eali it VIDA
YOU rlease) made them free. If you try it,
you will fail--and yow aoiLl punish yourselves
alone. Mark it, every harsh word, every act
of meauess, every attempt TO repeat he old
tyranny against the colored man ia the
| South, react with tenfold vengence, not alone
| upon those who do these things blu. upon the
whole Southern people, Johu Randolph
said once ia Congress, when opposing great
loan of money: "Mr. Speaker have found
| the philosophers stone; Pay as you go!'
| And LOT fho Sontharn farmer mr. rianters IL.
lustrate the axiom : "Pay as you go!' to all
aoho qoork for you, and pay them aoeW and
treat them we'll. Remembet tat, 10 a land
which, after g eat and blood war, has de-
clared all men tree and equal, there is anqth
| er aphorsm equally sweet, viz: "Ihe labor.
| er as aoorthy his hire" Be warned by the les
sons of the war The war The war has
| not alone enfrancbised tie blacks ii has not
| made them vag bands They are already
conscious tat they must work to live; that
| they must depend on themselves; and that
| they are entitled 10 fair wages for their toll
| Will their late masters BE- less forward 10
Iseei,g their relative and Reciprocal oblIgl
lions? The step that The Southern peopl-
should be quick to take is 10 assist in the
ratification of the joint resolution of CoDgrt IS
! amending the National Constitution for the
total abolition of slavery The hesitation of
Kentucky O this question has something
| like madness in it There is not Demo cratic
politician that opposes it who does not know
and admit The amendment Is sure 10 prevail;
aadyet whole party rallied 10 oppose an
inevitable EVENT. And the opposition is KEEP
| up VIXEN it is equally palpable that the only
result of opposition is TO increase the tired
| of the extreme men of the North to the South;
| to add to the INSERTS of the suffering mas
| SEES of the South and to delay honorable and
| lasting re.toration2 Tnere is somethi ng
more than party contumacy here; it Is 'the
very error of the moon" We are not wi hout
| hope, however, that the amendment will be
| ratified even by Kentucky. and that this GOOD
example will penet ave into other regions,
tempering, tranquiljzing, and settling tn
Southern mind. ..s,s-..ra,:
# these taoo steps are taken IN, the good
faith and perseuered in, the Southern people a0lH
find a powerful purity IN sympathy sosth them
IN all the free States. Let them treat he
| coIored race kindly and pay the colofed Ia
borer according to his labor let item aid in
| completing the amendment Of the Na'ioha
Constitution for the abolition of slavery, and
they will soon e-joy degree of prosperity 10
" itch all their former boosted glory be as
nothing. How can they expect rights 10
| themselves, how can they aspire to influence
in the national councils, when they insist
upon heaping wrongs upon Others, and Ii
maniacs who vaioly defy he wtah of .,
set themselves dp against the voice OF h
American peopls2
But If these taoo steps are not taken by the
Southern people if the coleied race are o be
kept 10 condi ion ofsuff ring, half-slav ~
fettesed aid insulted by own, or counuy or
State laws and worked at starving WAGES
there will tie no party 10 the free States that
will not BE- par , of fees to the Southe n |
people. The Issue will then be made up. The
cause of the negro will then be the cause OF
all The eYtreamest measures apai nst the |