The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-27
SENSIBLE TALK,

The New York Times, speaking of Northern
sentiment and expectations about the South,
says:
awe (the northern people and authorities are
too exacting also in regard to the political ac-
tion Of the Southern people. We expect them,
now that the war is over and they are beaten,
to become at once, not only loyal citizens, obey
ing all the laws and sustaining fully the nation
al authority, but thorough-going aboitionists,
and advocates of negro suffrage. Anything
short of this we consider halfway loyalty and
think they have not been whipped quite enough
yet We denounce them as still Secessionists
at heart, and call for their exclusion from the
rights of citizenship.
This is unreasonable and unwise. We have
really nothing 30 do with their hearts. We
have no right to exact the complete change of
sentiment and feeling which we demand. We
have right to insist that they shall obey the
law, that they shall acknowledge and respect
the national authority, and conduct themselves
as peaceful law-abiding citizens. If they do
this, we can demand nothing more. They may
believe in their hearts what they please; they
may feel as they like about the war and the gov
ernment; they may be at heart rebelious still;
but that is really none Of our business We.
cannot control their opinions or their sentiments;
We can and must control their conduct, but that
is all. Nor is it reasonable to expect that the
mass of the Southern people can or will become
suddenly devotees of doctrines and sentiments
which they have hitherto abhorred, and against
which they have staked their fortunes and their
lives. Men do not thus instantly change their
whole natures on compulsion. And any osten-
tatious pretensions Of such change would be
hypocritical. The great body of the Southern
people were unquestionably honest and sincere
in the opinions, the prejudices and the resent
ments which led them to rebel against the Gov
ernment; and it would be folly to suppose that
those feelings would all be at once eradicated by
the simple fact that they have been beaten 10
the field. A radical change in the sentiment of
the Southern people, concerning slavery and
the purpose and temper of the national authorl-
ty, can only be wrought by time, by wise laws
wisely administered, and by their experience OF:
the new condition upon which they have enter
ed.
Nor should we desire to break the spirit, or
crush the selfrespect of the people of the South
ern States. Their courage, their resolute and
determined spirit, is now among the priceless
possessions of the whole country. 1t has been
our enemy, but hereafter it is to be our. friend
It has been turned against us, and has ,vainly
sought our destruction; heneeforth it fights on
ly on our side, and swells the power. and the
courage with which we may confront a world in
arms It would be suicidal. in US to-, crush or
destroy tive should be destroying paft OF
that which is to give US the proudest place ever
held by any. nation on the face of tae earth.
They confess and feel themselves overcome
subdued, subjugated. From no quarter do We
hear the faintest hint Of any wish even to renew
the contest. 1t is not for us to poison the wound
we have inflicted on their pride, norito stab,
with insulting blows, the dead body of their am
bition."
Dg~ Judge Sharkey has been appointed Pro-
,-:,;on.l nonarpor IF Afississ:pnI