New-York tribune., 1866-04-27
THE DUTY OF TEE HOUR.

The recent speech of the Hon. Mr. SheIlabarger, in
the House of Representatives, has excited GOOD deal
Of attention We recognize it OF the able5t
speeches ofth present Congress-which is saying a
great deal. when we consider the number Of good
speeches that have already been delivered. An at
tempt has been made to represent Mr.. Shellabargor
as willing to punish "nilions Of people en
masse after having already inflicted upon
them the sufIering3 incident to war and the
humiliation attendant upon defeat" Were this Mr.
Shellabargcrs position should find but little dill
Guilty in agreeing with cotcmporary that It would
be "an act Of vengeance that should be reserved fO
the most heartess despotism5 of the Old World" We
are very certain, however, that the representative
from Ohio did not ask for vengeance, but for ustice
that he did not rush to make thS South Poland, or
initiate the Austrian rule in Hungary, and is due to
Mr. Shellabarger that should rescue him from this
injustice
Thc sentiment of universal amnesty and universal
suffrage is rapidly commanding the respect and atten'
ton of the American people. We should be very sorry
to find a representative so sensible az Mr. Shellabar
ger refusing assent to doctrine that is the nobest
growth Of the war. Nor do we find him accepting
any such doctrine in his speech. The power OF ex-
cludng from the ballot-bOx those who have aided in
the Rebellion is not made to favor the exclusion OF
the mass Of the common people, "unes it shall appear
that they continue incorrigbly disoya and insubor
dinate to our laws" This saving clause would
be satisfactory to even the President himself
A disloyal" and insubordinato" people should
meet the penalty Of disoyaty and insubordination.
People who steal are put in Jail. Citizens predisposed
~ al oNh cf fro and flrrOf
Di3loyaly in its way is as much crime as arson or
larceny, and should be restrained and punished with
as much irmucss. We must have a Government that
rests upon the will Of the loyal people; and. in the
absence Of any general expression OF loyalty on the
part of White Rebels in the South, we have ventured
to demand the bestowal of the franchise upon the
Black Loyalis.. Mr.. Shelabargers logic must arrive
at the same results and must that Of every prudent,
conscientious man who looks this question OF Recon-
siruction full in the face.
We therefore hasten to rescue Mr.. Shellabarger
from the injustice Of an enemy who as5als him under
the garb Of friendship. lie well argues that to try,
convict and execute the millions who have aided the
Rebellion in the South is both national dIohonor end
death" Even to limit exclusion to "chiefS of rebel
lion. ." is Of no practical moment The chiefs OF the
Rebellion will be a powerful without the ballot as
with it, Nay, more; the exclusion would be mark
of recognition on the part Of the Government of more
value than any Office Of trust or profit. TIE
emigrants from France eZer,ed a greater inilu'
ence over The German border than in Pari'.
william found more trouble from the Jacobitcs
at st. Germaine', than all tho country squres and
rector, who drank their wine over the water and sang
Jacobe songs in TIE back parloys OF London taverns
We can never help Tie deserving Loyalists by punish
ing the Rebel, Of The South. The hour Of vengeance
+, past. We must create a policy Of justice. We
can permit Tie Rebels Of the South to go their way
To work, and live, aud vote or 60 to Brazil, or do
whatever they please-proyded we give the Union
Non of tie South an inducoment to sustain tie flag.
Th,t IS the sa'e'mln,hipof lie hour, and our icnds
Will see q. sooner or later.