Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-05-16
The Practical Soldiers on Reconstruo

Tho iniquItious conduct Oh the"Oon-
trail Directory" is revealing itself
every day, 10 form too, that must
disgust every honorable man. ltseems
that It's members had adopted per-
feet system Of cvcsdropping and spy
ing, and thereby waylaying, honora'
bic men in order to accomplish their
disreputablc work. To illustrate how
this was done, we take the following
extract from the New York Herald,
which shows very distinctly the differ
cncc between the fighting Generals,
and those of the Schurz,-Butler-
Schneck, school, who succeed in avoid
ing battle fields.
"Thc reconstruction committee, which
lately ceased its fruitless labors, has
reported the testimony of Major Cen
cral Philip Sheridan, and we are favor
ed with sensible views of that prac-
tical soldier upon the subject of South
crn reconstruction Relieved OF the
curb of leading questions propoanded
to him, and askcdto express his own
ideas of the Southern status, General
Sheridan tells very plainly and forcl-
blv that. though not as satisfactory as
the unouestionably loyal people desire
the sentiments of the lately rebellious
Southerners towards the Union are al
that could be reasonbly expected under
the circumstances of their defeat and
impoverishment; and that, though
naturally disposed to cling to the leg
ends and leaders of their lost cause
they earnestly desire the full restora
tion of the Union. We are reminded
by the views thus expressed by Gen
eral Sheridan of those of Gen. James
: b Steadman, not less gallant anC
: practical soldier of the volunteer army
This officer was questioned by a mem
Der of the Committee on Reconstruc
ton in order 10 elict his views before
, summoning him to testify. His opin
#. ions were, like those of General Sheri
dan, not of the character to suit the
committee, and Steadman was not ex
amined. In reply to the question
"What class of people in the South arr
; most loyal to the Union I" Genera
. Stcedman, instead of praising the ne
groes as his questioner expected, an
swered very laconically, "the returned
rebel soldiers" On being asked t.
explain the devotion of these soldier
r to their former leaders, whom they al
| most unanimously supported for al
State and national offices in their gift
Steadman replied that he did not wei
see how anything else could be expect
ed of them. They professed sineerit,
D alike in engaging in the war ard i
= submitting to the arbitrament of arms
and they were naturally devoted il
peace to the men who had led them j
war and in danger. To have support
i cd Unionists who stayed at home an
e renamed loyal would have bcento az
3 knowledge not only that themselve
were wrong morally, but inferior il
: tellectually. 1t was not in the natur
, of men to do this; and more Generi
D. Steadman thought was to be hope
is from men who proved their sincerit
by their consistency, than from thos
who abandoned principles which the
Z. believed honest for the sake of sccur
e ty The testimony Of our practic;
l. generals, such as Grant, Thomas
I Sherman, Sheridan and Steadman, {
indeed of all those free from politic
and party complications, attcsts; whi
o acknowledging the existence Of wh'
S, General Sheridan calls the 'dispOsitio
L. TO gloi1fy rebellion, the sincerity wit
,o which the rebel leaders and solde
have submitted TO defeat, and ii
. honesty of their desire to see the cou
r. try fully restored in the prosperit
il and strength of the old Union"
b q No IA Tho Dead Duclx saw