Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-05-18
GENERAL. LEES TEsTIMoNY-THE TRUE
POLICY TO DE PURSUED TOWARD :.
THE SOUTH. -

She utmost 9at can reasonably be ex-
peeled from Apcople situated like the Yir::.
ginians is SUCH: a POLITICAL conformity as
rs Gen. Lee dcclaredto exist. It Is bare.
, ly twelve months since these men were
engaged in ono Of the most desperate wars
OF, modern timcs--a war fought out TO
e"thc bitter cnd' with every circumstance
ofrpassion and fury. 10 expect that they
sh,uld now look with positive affection on
their. .con1uerors, condemn their most em..
,inent ccnntrymen as traitors, and repudi-
ate as abo,pinaole the principles for which
they sacrificed their fortunes and staked
their lives, is bcyonda all reason. 1t is enough
ifthey know themselves beaten, ifthey ac-
.cept tho results without reserve, if they
cherish no idea Of deferred rebellion, and
If they are prepared to return TO their form
exposition with resolution to perform all
their duties as citizens, and with n readi.
e.. mess to receive tho warmer impressions
which time and Intercourse may bring.
These are actually the feelings with which
Gen. Lee describes them as now animated.
More, it must be evident, could not bc ex-'
jPected; but if mole ip desired, it is mani
fest, that the result can only be secured by
that very policy which the President has
avowed, and WHICH tho radicals arc so fan
a,ica'ly opposing. II something is still to
bo done as nobody. need douy-betore
Virginian can look upon the Union as lie
looked ten years ago, it can only be ac>
,copplisbed, as. Gen. Lee affirmed, by IiJer-
Al and cohciliatory conduct on the part of
tfe:Govcrnmcut. IF passive acquicscence
is to lie converted into cordialsyprathy, it
must be by kind and generous treatment.
The policy Of the radicals is stulti6ed by
their own professions. They pretend to
desire moro sympathiziug South than
they have already got, and then, to improve
the Southern feeling, they propose to in~
,flict political disgrace on the Southern peo-
pie. They pronounce them to be still dis
affectedSor not sufficiently we'll affected,
and by way of conciating them would
condemn them to alienation and outlawry.
Such policy stands selfconvictcd,' for its
only results must bo 10 mako bad
worse,
ltisnot probable that Virginian looks
upon the Governmental the Union exact.
ly ike:a New Highlander; no reasonable
person would expect that he should do so.
It is enough for the purposes of prudent
reconstruction, if the States lately in seces-
sion have abandoned all ideas of indepeu-
:dence, and are prepared to make the best
of their position as members of the Union
once more. The rest must necessarily be
a work Of time; but it will be accomplish
.edEmost speedily, as.aelF as most surely,
through such a policy as the President
now advocates. He docs not desire to
swamp the South with swarm of black
voters norsto PLACE The negro in position
.ofiinyidious and perilous antagonism to@
ward the white man.. ITe asks only for
simple professions Of political honesty.
: He stipulates that the. .:Southern States
shall forego their views of secession, ac-
knowledge and confirm the abolition of
,slayery,now and forever, deal fairly with
the enfranchised slaves, and repudate the
debt contractedfor tho purpose of the re.
:belliep. To: these. conditions, they are will
ling to- assent, and the President would
:open'the doors Of Congress to tbem, and
80 restore the Union. What his oppo.
nents desire, or professto desire; VIC may Mi
collect fromstIe examiration to which Gen.
Lesswas.subYe Pheya demand impos-,
siblities for is. simply absurd to require
:that.fbs South should hunbly and, tbabk.
..fullyskiss rod3after the fashion they pre-.
scribe. :Tho,pclicy OF. the President, on
the. other hand is a policy not only of
/. moderatIon,5bpt f;promiso.: 1T bids. taif
to:bfing back. the: South. to those senti.
ments Of perfect concord which the radi-
Gals pretend tp demand. ,Itis Gen. Lees
opinion that such 2 policy, aided by the
:aindispspsabl scosQpetntion of, time; will
really produce; this; effect; but it:nesds no %;
!. argument te showthat q policy Of Provo
cation and oppression; continued after 1sic-:
:tofy,:n.As Intensity and perpelaate: that
very hostility which itis Intended 10 .ex,in:.
saish g, Saass Z! & b. FL 81. 8 I
sgosgs ~ ssDlTo a1n ] Epglish WI
) -tetaay sWhatsis very tlaeS that good ID led. d
ii.Srs g e9ngets 3 aspapers seadast u; ;:5is
,-aiks'afg general 81 born; not made!