Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-12-21
CVARLEsTowN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER. 81, 1865
An Important Political Denenstra-
ton.
[Eem he MatioraI h.tslIiqencer.l

t1on.
s r Fr5m The National GHtslligencer.1
Below we present an article from the New
York Times, probably written by the editor
himself, which is of the most hopeful character
in respect to the great question of reconstrucT
ton. Mr.. Raymond has been here at the Capt.
tal--the only ground where a tolerabls just
conception of the political status can be had,
for here converges official information from
thousand sources. Upon the basis Of such in
formation, the following article has doubtless
been prepared: y
HosT1LITY TO REcoNsThtcIIox-A BAD
SPIRIT. There is class of public men who
apparently desire an indefnte postponement
of the restoration OF the South. They do not
openly avow it, but their words and actions In
dicate settled purpose Of obstruction. There
is no end TO The requirements and conditions
they would impose. They are captious, exact
ing, implacable, not so much from devotion to
any principle as from original bent. They deal
with the whole business in the Shylock mood.
Their main study seems to be to " feed fat the
ancient grudge," The spirit ought to be mark
ed well. 1t is the spirit of evil. 1t is without
wisdom, and can work mischief only. If it
shall prevail, as certainly as fate the late war
will have for its sequel reign of sectional hate
and strife that will be fraught with financial
calamity and with disgrace to the Republican
name. ~ oi
Enough has transpired since the war to prove
thatthe Southern people are sincerely desirous
of genuine reconciliation. They have with
one accord acknowledged themselves utterly
vanquished. They began by accepting the
broad amnesty oath of President johnson with
out hesitation of reserve. They continued by
putting themselves promptly into the path
which he Indicated would take them back into
the Union. They received the leaders he as
signed them as Provisional Governors, and
treated them with all respect and confidence,
though many of them had never before been
the men of their choice They elected conven-
tons, composed, for the most part, OF men ID
full sympathy with the Government, and these
conventions remodeled the State constitutions
in substantial accordance with the suggestions
of President johnson. Their Legislatures have
been animated with a similar anxiety to satisfy
the Government at Washington. We believe
4la4 .la-a hoe mol ts,ar, ;nsfarno of nersis-
tent holding out by any Southern convention
or legislature against any solicitation of Presl-
dent johnson for the adoption of any measure
that in his view would facilitate the work of
reconstruction. 1t is true that the elections
for State officers and for Congressman have
been in many cases unsatisfactory Yet there
is no evidence that such elections were inspired
by opposition to the Government There is
reason TO believe that such elections were infiu-
enced by personal predictions and preudices
rather than by political motives. AT all events,
taking the action of the Southern people since
the close of the war as a rhole, it has been emi-
ncntly reasonable and proper. History might
be searched without finding another instance
of vanquished people submitting with so
good grace. Nobody would have yentured to
predict it year ago. 1t is opposed to every
old conception of the proud and impracticable
character of the Southern people.
The great question of the day is, now that
we have this display of good sense and good
feeling in the Southern people,, whether we
shah encourage it, and make the best of it, or
meet it with distrust and aversion. 1t is a
shame that there should be such question:
The duty of the Government and of the North
ern people in the premises ought to be plain
enough to every man to exclude all question.
AS yictors in the war, we are bound by every
manly sentiment to generous policy of recon-
citation. AS Union men, in consistent devo-
ton to that cause in the name ofnwhich the
terrible struggle was maintained, we are NOR
ally obliged, in consistency, to do Our utmost
to have the Union fully restored just 50 soon
as it can be done safely, and without sacrifice
of principle. -.F47