Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-10-25
p.nl,c sentiment at the South.

:
,,readv having their legitimate eff
'ect unon the Southern mind. This
act is very apparent from the alter
ID tone of resp ectable portion of
The Southern press. The ready es-
pousal Of their course, at the close of
the war, .Jy the Peacf democracy
and the, Chief Exeeutiv e of the Ma
tier. led the South to believe, that
Enough conquered in the field, she
might vet be able to dictate terms of
reconstruction and restoration. For
some time subsequent to the surren-
der Of Lee and johnson the South
was willing to accept almost any
terms and conditions, glad to escape
with life and property secured, both
of which by their treason they had
forfeited. But the support and coun-
tenance immediately offered them
by their old allies-the Democratic
party of the North-soon produced
an entire revolution Of feeling at the
South. and the rebel States in short
time presented the strange spectacle
of apeople assuming to have gained
rather than lost, political power by
their treason. This defiant attitude
once assumed, they resolutely main
tanned, and Andy johnson, false to
the party by whom he had been ele-
waited to power, used all the vast pat
rsnage of his high position to fortify
them in that position. The mild
and general terms propounded in the
proposed Constitutional Amendment
were Indignantly rejected, and they
claimed nothing more nor less than
immediate and unconditional resto-
ration to all their former rights in
the Union-in q word, that treason
should be placed upon an equality
with loyalty. and that no line of dis
tinction should be drawn between
the men whe fought to destroy the
government and the men who fought
to sustain it Sach was the position
which they assumed and maintained
mp to the recent elections. But the
result of the October elections has
taught the South. and the result in
November will still farther teach
them, that they have wholly mistaken
the real sentiment of the North, and
that Vallandigham, Wood and Andy
johnson are not true exponents of
that sentiment, nor safe guides for
them. Seeing the North resolute in
its determination to establish upon a
firm and permenant basis the peace
which it has conquered in the field,
we anticipate an early acquiescence
on the part Of the South in the terms
of settlement embraced in the Con-
stitutional Amendment. Each and
every provision in that Amendment
is just, reasonable and generous. and
must sooner or later commend itself
to the good sense of every candid
man in the South
The Southern press are beginning
to accept this view of the situation.
The Charlottesville IVA, Chrohical
says, the Southern people want rest.
To secure it, they would accept the
Constitutional Amendment. Guar
antee them the rest, and every State
will ratify the Amendment.
The Raleigh IN. c. Standard
calls upon the South to take this
Amendment, to avoid further and
greater evils.
The Charlotte IN. c. Democrat
advocates the adoption of the Amend
ment as the last terms attainable.
The Newhern Times tells the
people that they should now hasten
to adopt the Constitutional plan, and
thus secure immediate tranquility
and admission into the Union.
The Charleston Is c. News is
now convinced that there is no ether
course open to the Southern people,
while the Savannah (Georgia) Re
publican points TO the Constitutional
Amendment as the Northern ultima
tum, and adds that nothing more will
be required of them.
Other extracts from Southern pa
pers might be given, sll tending in
the same direction. We heartily
welcome this improved tone of
Southern sentiment, and anticipate
therefrom auspicious results. Let
the Nerth be true to the loyal senti-
nents which have thus far actuated
her, and stand firmly by her princi-
Piles. and sll will be well We have
full faith, that the inherent worth
and fairness and business of the
Amendment win ultimately render
it acceptable to the whole country.
South as well as North.