Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-06
Union and American.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, Isee.
A PROPER DISPOSITION.

PROPER DISPOSITION.
! Under this head, the Wilmington North
Cardinal, Journal indulges in some remarks
which we desire to adopt as al embodiment
of the sentiments which govern us in our
journalistic capacity. If the people of the
two sections are to live together in political
union, it certainly occurs to every calm,
thinking mind that the end may be more
advantageously attained and more easily
reached by sinking the prejudices of the
past as far as human nature will permit us
to do so. There must be concession on both
sides, or the peace which has been conquer
ed by the sword viii never be ratified by
the sentiment of the heart. The Northern
man must cease his abuse of the Southron,
and forbear the ungenerous filings, which
are so common, involving the motives
and honor of our people The South
ern man must smother his hatred for the
Northman whose education has taught
him different view of governmental re-
quirements. We must endeavor to res
pect each other, or the bonds of Union will
be little better than ropes of sand. Our own
papers should cease wrangling upon pohti-
cal questions, knowing that the right-think-
ing people of the North do not expect it
from us while the Radical disunionists only
laugh at and then despise the excess of zeal
which they must know is not felt
Instead of whetting our pens for the BIT
terest of denunciation against the radical
press of our own State who are endeavoring
to fan the fame of Northern hatred against
us, by disappearing the people who nave
sworn fealty to the Government, let us treat
them with the silent contempt which un-
scrupulous infamy merits. Leave them
alone. The right will come uppermost after
while. These journals will reach the end of
their rope, and the cruelty maligned people
will cease to support them.
1t must be source of regret, saya our CO.
temporary, to every Southern citizen, that
there does not exist among US greater
amount of unanimity of opinion as to the |
proper mode of action at this particular and |
critical period in our history. We cannot |
help believing that our leading men in pub |
lie affairs have too little forbearance with |
each other, in many instances evincing a |
self-will too dogmatic for gentlemen in pur-
suit of the public good. When differences
of opinion exist upon the weighty matters
which affect the public veal, wisdom would |
seem to indicate the necessity of judicious
concession and compromise. No one will |
expect that all ssmen in State will think
alike, or that oppositions and conten-
tentiOns will not occur. But the asperity of
these antagonisms may be greatly mitigated
by temperate and well-disposed discussions;
and if this discussion be entered upon with
an honest purpose really to seek the greatest
good of the people, the result will seldom
fail of the most beneficial and grateful fruits
Now in our humble opinion, if there was
ever a time in our history when this spirit
of sober moderation aud careful looking after
the right course to be pursued, should actu-
ate and govern our public men, that exact
time is the immediate present. If it were
possible that such state of things could ex-
ist, no iarring or discordant difference of
opinion and action would be known amongst
us at this big and vital crisis-a crisis, upon
the harmonious and peaceful adjustment of
the affairs of which may depend, for long
time to come, our existence as a selfgovern-
ing and independent State Shattered in
fortune-decimated in population re-
duced from the dignity and importance of
sovereign Stateto the subjected condition of
a mere province or dependency by the for
tunes of war-we should certainly take ad-
vantage, as far as our selfrespect as men
will permit us to do 50, of every offer Of the
authority which holds our destiny in its
hands, to reinstate us in our independence
and original sovereignty. In this great
work of reconstruction, however, we, as well
as those who mainly control the matter, have
our part of the transaction TO perform. This,
to great extent, we believe we have already
done; and but for difference of opinion
among ourselves-an apparent suicidal de-
termination not to join hands for thegeneral
good-and persistent course of questicna-
BILE representation of the honesty of purpose
of one party by the other-we should this
day have been back in the Union, fully re-
habilitated in all our sovereign rights and
purposes.
How long this state of things-fatal to our
hopes and destructive to our best interests
may continue, we of course are unable to say.
We may be allowed, however, to express the
hope that it viii be of short duration. A
wise regard for ourselves urges us to use
every means in our power to make it as
brief as possible