Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-10-11
WING.
WEDNESDAY OCT. IL, 1865.
ERA OF GOOD FEELING.

lt was creditable 10 our cltlLenS tnal tnel
generally held alOof from the Federal troops,
and had little social intercourse with them,
when they first entered our city. We had
fought bravely, nay, desperately, and Oeen
conquered. We were wholly at their mercy
and il would lily have become US, VINO hao
shown so much courage in battle, TO nave
svinca5 want of frmness or forti.ude in de-
feat. We should have acted as we did act
held aloof, asked for no terms, courteo nell
Their intercourse nor familiarity; but with
passive dignity shown to our adversarieS
that we had lost neither our spirit nor our
pride, and were prepared to suffer with pa
tience, and without complaint or rePlning'
whatever punishment our conquerors choSe
10 iplict. Il was not our part, but theirs
10 make advances towards more kindly rela-
tons. and 20 court social intercourse and IA
milarity. Nor would even this have sufioed
10 Justify our treating them as friends and
and guests.
More, much more, was to be done by them
before we could, with dignity, decency or
propriety give them the hand of fellowship or
of friendship. We must first know whether
they intended TO treat US as conquered sub
iects, as traitors who had forfeited their
lands and their lives, or as equal citizens Of
q restored and reconstructed Union. For
long time it seemed to be doubtful which OF
these courses would be pursued toward u.s.
So long as this doubt remained, it was en-
tirely proper that we should avoid an inter-
course. whose true relations we did not I'M
derstand. And this we should have done,
even although the Northern soldiers and
officers we're, so soon as the war was con-
cluded everywhere, kind, generous, for
bearing and magnanimous. 1t was painful
TO every courteous and polite Southron to
resent in the person Of the soldier, who was
kind and just 10 US, the conduct OF his Gov
eminent, that then seemed disposed to for
get mercy. Yet, it was our duty so to resent.
The aspect Of political affairs has now
changed the lowering clouds that darkened
our prospects seem TO be rapidly passing of,
aud our future looks bright and cheering
To the wisdom, sagacity and 6rmuess Of the
President, and to the good practical sense
and liberality of the Northern army We are
indebted for bringing about change OF opin-
ion and of action with regard to the affairs
of the South. Parties seem to be vieing
with one another in endorsing the policy of
the President, and that policy promises to
be essentially lust to US. 1t is time to re-
store an era of good feeling between the late
" opposing sections. To effect this, 1t is ne
cessary and becoming that the people, the
private citizens, as we'll as the official H.
cumbents, Of either section should make
mutual advances to q more kind, cor
dial and heartfelt intercourse. We al
really admire the great armies oil
the North and their great commanders,
and no reason now remains why We should
not evinee that admiration in our daily inter-
course. If there were no cause for such ad
lniration, then we should deserve no credit
for keeping them at bay, and often defeating
them with very inferior forces and resources
during four years war. In truth, the North
and the South respect each other more now
than before the war, and the conjoint effects
of their respective achievements have sur
prlsed, amazed and astounded all Christen-
dom. Those achievements, whether by the
South or the North, have now become ma
tional property. We are again one people,
and may well be proud of the proves ex-
hibited by either section. Time enough, too,
has elapsed for the smart OF irritation felt
By either party at recent defeats, to subside
and pass away. We should now be able to
talk over the affairs Ofthe war, and all other
affairs, without angry collisions.
1t is well that social intercourse has been
delayed between US, if for no other reason,
because it has given time for the angry pas
sions growing out o the war to be quieted
and allayed.
1t is probable that for many years to come
the returning armies of the North will con-
troll Northern politics. As gentlemen, it is
our duty to evince our sense Of the manly,
kind aud forbearing conduct Of our military
rulers, since the war has ended. As Politi-
clans, We should embrace the opportunity
Of making friends, where friends will be
most available.
1t is the mere caprice Of silly fashion that
deters most men from making advances to-
wards a more kindly aud familiar intercourse
With our military rulers. 1t is high time
tina. this suicidal fashion were abolished.
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