The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-25
"EbNtsDAl. APRIL IS, 1864.


NNi 10 e'@pseo since a ouietus
was given to the rebellion. It was ap-
pretended during the war that when
the great armies of the south we're
driven to the wall, they would break
up into small bands, take TO The forests
aud mountains, and by constant raids
disturb society, and give the country
trouble for years. But, instead Of this
the armies were surrendered the men
parOled, and all retired 10 their homes
and entered or prepared to enter upon
the business pursuits Of life. They had
staked their all upon the hazards of
war, and lost but they did not lose
their high character as American citi.
zens, their love Of truth. morality and
virtue. They determined to accept the
results Of their unfortunate venture.
and accommodated themselves 10 their
changed condition with wonderful
elasticity Of temper and patience. Pre-
sident johnson, keenly alive to his
duty as President, and properly appre
ciating the situation of affairs, devised
a noble plan Of pacifcation, submitted
1t 10 the southern States, and at once
proceeded patriotically to carry it out.
C1nceding 10 the States all they could
expect, under the circumstances, he re-
quired them in the language Of the
Raleigh Standard, whose editor was
oneo Of his agents in the good work, to
perform certain duties, These duties
were, first, to abolish slavery; secondly,
10 ignore the rebel debt thirdly, to de
clare their acts Of secession null and
void; and as incident to these, though
he did not in so many words require il,
he expected them to place the freed
men on the same footing with the
whites in all their natural rights, such
as, for instance, the giving of testimony
and the holding Of property; and he
took it for granted that members would
be elected to Congress who could take
the test oath.
How the States have discharged
these duties let the Standard, some
times accused Of radicalism, avouch.
Everything it says, (which was ALSO
lutely required Of the States has been
done Some Of them have neglected
20 place the freedmen on the same
footing with the whites as 10 their
natural rights, but the civil rights bill
recently passed over the veto has done
that, and there is no longer ground for
complaint on that score. So far as the
election of members who can take the
oath is concerned, the action Of the
people Of the States is still open TO OBJ
lection. But with these exceptions, the
Presidents plan has been carried out
Every great principle laid down by the
President in the name Of the Republic,
has been subscribed 10 by the Southern
people, and they now ask the Congress
70 restore them fully 10 their former
relations 10 the government or tell
them plainly why they are not re-
stored, and what they must do to
accomplish tuis desirable result
They feel that the suspense in
which they are held by the Con
grers is unjust to them, not to say
cruel They are most anxious to re-
build their ruined fortunes, but the
want Of confidence which this state OF
suspense creates is in their way. They
feel that they can count on nothing in
the future with that degree Of conf
dence which is 50 necessary as a stimu-
lus to enterprise and industry. They
are taxed, and yet they are deprived Of
the full benefits Of the government A
large majority Of even the Union men
are debarred from office on account Of
the stringent character Of the test oath
Now. we ask the candid and fair
minded Of all parties and sections II
this is not true; and if the good of the
whole country would not be subserved
by an immediate restoration Of all the
States to their rights and privileges as
members Of the Federal Union Had
not the Southern people right to ex-
meet more magnanimity at the hands
of Congress than has been displayed
They submitted with good grace, and
bv their honorable acceptance Of the
issues of the war, and subsidenoe into
peaceful. quiet, orderloving citizens
made it possible for the Govern
ment TO disband its armies, and to
curtaf its expenses by hundreds OF
millions such conduct as this ought
IN have aroused a different spirit from
that which sways the breasts Of the
majority in Congress. We might ap
peal to Congress, in their behalf, iol
Justice; but all such appeals are VAN
The stony heart Of radioalism can
not be softened by appeals for justice o.
marcy. never so appropriate or touch
ing, 10 the white races u VIC
would strike them down 10 exalt thu
negro and 10 make him the foundation
of lifelong lease upon the halls o
mower But we can and do appeal Il
the masses Of the Northern people W.
believe their hearts are unooTrup ted
that they are willing 20 pardon th'
errors OF their greatly punished broth
ren. and welcome them again to the
national household. Whenever the!
shall have an opportunity 10 speai
they will make known their wishes II
no questionable voice The oPportu
nifty will soon come Let us await
with patience and confidence