Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-05-26
The Real Test.

II lew weeks dsO luo uIBucst tCot vi
the strength and tirmness of the Govern
ment seemed likely TO be displayed in the
administering of strict justice TO jeff
Davis and the other leading traitors, in
case they should be caught. Bat that
idea has been dispelled by the fact Of
Davis capture. To hang him now
seems the natural thing under the cir.
cumstances. The sands of his life tend
as directly to the galows as water tend,
to run down bill, and the nation looks on
in a very acquiescent, if not approving,
frame Of mind. Bot the real test OF the
steadfastness and determination of the
loyal masses and their Government has
always been something quite different
and we shall yet see it brought out in
stronger light. 1t is to root out and an
initiate every vestige Of slavery at the
South.
Till that is done, the work of the great
revolution, which, under the guise of the
rebellion, has been forced upon US, will
be incomplete. five pause in its pros
ecution, we shall lose ground that will
have to be made up to our disadvantage,
And yet we may push it indiscreetly and
so fail of making the best progress of
which the cause is susceptible. These
are the difficulties of the problem, to be
heightened by the malice and misrepre-
sensations which may yet be developed at
the South, and by the partisan spirit, the
prejudices, the love OF ease and even the
generosity of the North. But the nation
must never for one moment forget the
great work that remains upon its hands
The sunlight of free institutions, as it is
known here, must be let into every nook
and corner OF the South. The free press
and speech must not only be tolerated
there under the strong arm of the law,
but respect and appreciated as the nee
essary guardians of political freedom aud
stability.
The work seems immense, at The first
glance, as we look upon the South. But
we must not forget that the South of to,
day is not the South of the past, and
that the South of the future will inevila-
bly, be still less so. The Transforming
wand has already been waved over its
whole area. The institution of slavery
5 virtually dead-it is to be made so
actually and entirely. The freedman is
o become freeman after The American
pattern in all respects. The stakeholder
) TO be brought dowD-or rather brought
lp-to the precise level Of the twenty
Millions of citizens who have saved his
government for him against his own par
icidal attack. All the agencies tina;
AVE made the North what it is are to be
extended to the South, kindly but inhex-
bly,. Stubborn resistance, should any
Southern communities be SO unwse as to
,tfer it, must be met with authoritative
md effective measures.
For mere prejudice and distrust, time
must be allowed. 1t would be unreason-
BILE to expect at once the consummation
/ one OF the greatest reforms ever re
orded on the pages Of history. The |.
main thing is to put the people of the
south, so far as we can, upon right rela.
ions with the Governm ent, and the rest
fiIl follow as matter of course. Trade /
nd commerce will bring those of differ
mt sections together and establish mu-
nal appreciation, an actual community
{ feeling, which was impossible when
Iavery made one section essentially for
ign in feeling and habits to the other
'ut any faltering in the work Of roofing
ut that old source of alienation, any
with its difficulties, endangers
ur whole future prospects. The Gov.
rnment, we have no doubt, will under
IKE its duties with firm hand-let it
ave the steady, abandoning support of
le people.-Boston Journal.