The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-05-07
The Policy of Humanity

Gane,al Frank p. Blair, of Missouri, one
of the few republicans who distinguishes
himself By personal gallansry during the
war, has lately written letter to a meeting
in St. Louis, in which he gives ussefanoe 70
the following magnsnimous and generous
sentiments. Of peace he says:
sspeace means pardon, amnesty RECOMMENDATION;
without these we can have no peace oenese
that those who have done and suffered most to
sooura neace. by destroying the power which
.oot nm arms against it, are those who are most
ready to suffer and do to MAINTAIN IL. Inose
who have suffered nothing and done hot11ng,
Int who, on the contrary, have made the war an
occssion of profit and vehicle for personal al
vapcemert-staying at home and making iona
professions of loyalty; these are the greatest
ana only obstacle to the perfect restoration and
maintenance of peace They, having filed their
rockets and secured the best places, talk most
IF eeompensation for the past and security Tor
the future" They will not be convinced that
peace has come that the late enemies OF the
government have in good faith, laid down their
arms because they themselves are ioth 70 lay
aside those arbitrary powers which, during the
late war. have been welded more to gratify
their avarice and their personal malice tnan LOT
the public good They seek to perpetuate bit
ter memories and SOW the seeds of future strife.
Thew cherish and record in solemn official
documents every incident of individual outrage
or bad temper which occurs in the lately revolt
ed states, and spread it broadcast throughout the
land, as proof that the rebellous spirit sun
shoulders, while similar and more frequent
crimes are committed in the loyal states wltnou'
being regarded as of any unusual Importance.
Referring to the radical faction. Gen. b
says:
"Such persons are most persistent in urging
measures of unnecessary harshness and indigni
ty, in order to irritate and goad our vanquishec
opponents into acts of resistance which Will Justi
IL the nfiction of still greater cruelty. Ii those
brave and unfortunate people could only OF
driven by their insults and contumeiy to such
acts, it would fill the souls of their malignan
prosecutors with unspeaksble JOY and satisfac
ton, because 1t would afford the pretext the,
seek to, deny to the southern people the right
of freemen and free states. These Jacobins fee
and know that it is necessary 70 disfranchise til
white race at the south as affording them tEei
only chance of retaining power and position.
''What civilized natioR on earth would he's
tate an instant if the opportunity offered, to in
corporate with themselves the brave and heroi
people of the south, whose fortitude and endul
anbe, in mistaken cause, challenge the admire
ton and respect of the world? Would Frame
or England, or any other civilized power, hes
tate to give to such men the full and equal right
accorded to all other citizens? Would nc
those nations be most happy to claim, as the
own, such men as Lee and johnson and host {
others, and to confer upon these living heroe
the rewards which genius and courage have a
ways commanded Would they fail to hone
and cherish, as part of their own glory, u
memory of that ilustrious throDg of the deaf
led by Stonewau jackson? Their fame belong
10 our name and nation, and their survivors, an
mated by an equal courage and devotion, and II
spired by what we hope and believe is bettt
course, will hereafter contribute equally with tt
noble spirits of the north to the renOwn OF OF
great republic
'tFellow- citizens, those who wish well to I'll
country, and would secure its highest happines
can have no higher aspiration than that the peat
you celebrate may be perpetual.
it'll respect yours,
FRANK P. BLAIR
Those says the Cincinnati Enquirer, al
the sentiments of every one who would 10
claim to the title of statesman or patriot
They are the views of all who desire to 8.
peace and good feeling once more prevail b
tween the sections of our common country.
1t is difficult to find language to adequate
condemn the malgnancy or the b.indne
which would substitute the policy of cowsr
~, blood-thirsty persecution to ALLEVIATE al
drive from us ten millions of our oountr
men to create forever the barrier of etern
hate, instead of connecting them with US
the exercise of liberal humanity. Of
ideas which even entered the human min
that of treating the people OF eleven gre
states, one-third Of our whole population, a.
ing in their sovereign capacity. as crimins
and outlaws is the most preposterous q
atrocious Yet such is the view of the ra
Gals. Such is the programme they have ?
forth to the country. 1t is difficult to g
whether cowardics or cruelty is she great
element in their scheme. Both are large
in il and assist to make up the revolti
compound.
Moses.