The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-06-21
ysNDECTIyENEss.

Some of the old Abolitionists, such
as Gerrit Smith and Horace Greedy have
come out very decidedly for the release
of jeff Davis. Gerret Smith has pub
lished letter which does honor to him.
self, showing that he is governed by
Christian principles. Horace Greedy
seems SO intent to have Mr.. Davis re-
leased, that he has visited Washington
and rendered himself with others as
bail for him in any amount that may be
required. On the other hand most Of
the Radical papers are bitterly opposed
to his release, and denounce them in no
measured terms. The New York Times
says "And now, whilst Davis is living
upon the fat of the land in Fortress
Monroe, Mr.. Greedy rushes to Washing
ton to offer bail, so hat not cUen punish
mcnt ofhe mRdest character should be
inflicted upon a man ,ehose head, IN any
other country, aeomtd hare come III for
any one ofhis many trcaSons."
doubtless most of the dcspotisms Of
the old world would soon take mans
head off if he dared to rebel against
their authority but even in Europe
men guilty Of the political offence Of
striking for the independence of their
countrymen arc generally regarded with
favor. In this country We regard all
such with peculiar favor, and are ready
to offer them an asylum whenever they
have been compelled to fec for their
lives. The nations Of the earth which
have looked on our late struggle with
impartial eyes do not regard JEFF. Davis,
and the Southern people, as traitors of
so mean a type as our Radicals seem to
think them. They know there was
cause Of quarrel between the sections
and, though they arc generally preju-
diced against the South on account of
slavery, understand well how the per.
sistcnt cncroac hments of the North in.
eyitably led to the attempt Of the South
to set up for themselves. We know
how hard it is for prejudiced persons,
who were perhaps the most guilty in
fomcnting this quarrel, to sec the mat.
ter in its proper light. Their own guilt
they can never sec or acknowledge and
in their jaundccd eyes, the guilt oftheir
opponents looms up mountain high,
high as their own wrath which nothing
can oppcase except still more blood aud
punishment the most ample.
Whilst we must ever coudcmn the
lanuticism Of such men as Smith and
Greeley on the Slavery question, which
could not wait for its settlement IN the
legitimate mode, set We think them in
hnitcly superior 10 those Radicals who
continue to cast upon the South the
whole blame Of the war, aud are incapa.
Bile Of mercy. As longas Abolition was
confined 10 such fanatics as Gerrit
Smith aud Horace Greeley the cause
was too weak for the South 10 be much
alarmed for the institution. or for her
equal rights in the Union. II was only
when the old politicians of the North
came to the help of the little Abolition
faction, aud took them to their bosom
in the Republican party, that tho South
became really alarmed, aud began to
consider about setting up government
for herself These two men well know
that the Abolitionists had made up
their minds 10 agree to dissolve the
Union, rather than remain in it with
slavery; aud that nothing rcconcilcd
them 10 the war That had sprung up,
except that they perceived il would
most probably wipe out slavery 10 tho
end, They know moreover that such
was the settled determination Of the
Northern Anti-Slaycry party to assail
that institution in the South, that soon
or or later the South would be com
PEELED to give up slavery or fight, if that
party could get control Of the Govern
ment They were doubtless surprised |
that the South struck so soon, aud 80
unadysedly; yet were not at all aston.
ishcd that they had determined to resist
the ASSISTANTS Of slavery unto Death