The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-07-26
LOYALTY.

Much use is made Of this term at
present, but without just application in
many cases. 1t does not follow that
those who were once disloyal must al
ways remain so nor that the transition
from disloyalty to loyalty must be slow
in its operation, or limited in its effects.
1t is mental change aud readily made
under favorable circumstances Before
the events which brought on the late
war the people of the South were uni.
versally loyal. They loved the common
government and common country, as
much as the people Of the North. They
did not desire a separation but gencr.
ally trusted that sectional differences
would be amicably settled in the Union.
As the quarrel between the sectional
parties progressed, more and more be-
gan to lose confidence in the general
government; aud finally when war was
prccipitated by the hasty action of some
Of their States, all hope was lost Of pre-
serving their peculiar rights in the Tn.
ion and their loyalty and allegiance
were generally transferred to the new
government which, it was hoped, would
raise the South into the dignity Of
great nation.
This was all a very natural proceed.
ing, when We consider the offensive po-
sition taken by the anti-slayery party of
the North, and the prospect that it
would soon be able to control the gov
eminent and legislation of the whole
country. To the formation Of this par.
ty in the North, aud the rapid strides
it was making towards monopolising the
government, we must attribute mainly
the change Of the Southern mind from
loyalty to disloyalty. For reasons, TO
them sufficient, they lost all confidence
in the general government. The North,
or the prevailing party there, preserved
their confidence in the government, be-
cause there was no danger of its passing
into the hands of the weaker South
Had the positions been reversed, we
venture to say the North would have
proved just as disloyal as the South,
The Southern people having made the
full experiment, and failed to acquire
their independence, it remains
to be considered what effect that may
have upon them as far as loyalty to
the old government is concerned
Clearly, that will depend much on the
complexion and conduct of the party in
control. of the government Having
abandoned all hope Of a separate gov
eminent, they have made up their minds
to remain in, and be satisfied with, the
old government as well as they can
They went into the rebellion amidst
doubts and fears whether they were
doing right or not. If they are rcceiv-
ed back in a friendly spirit, and permit
ted to participate in the government, as
fully and freely as they formerly did,
except only the change of circumstances
recognized as accomplished by the war,
they will be convinced that they did a
very foolish thing, and will seek to make
amends for the errors of the past by in
creased loyalty in future. On the other
hand, if the government is continued in
the hands of those who helped to pre-
cipitate the South into disloyalty; and
who, instead of stretching out to them
helping hand, are everlastingly trying
how they can punish them, and humil-
late them the most, we can expect but
feeble manifestations of loyalty on the
part of the South, or indeed that they