Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-07
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Policy OF a General Parao L.

To the Editor q the New York Times:
VIII you allow me a place in your val
liable columns to say a word in defense
Of my Southern brethren from the false
conclusion which is generally arrived at
tv our Northern fellow-eitizens upon the
question Of their l0yalty2
II seems 10 me q difficult matter for
many 10 comprehend how a Southern
man VINO has just laid down his arms in
resistance 10 the Government Of the
United States, can be sincerely loyal to
that Government without acknowledging
himself wrong in having taken position
ia favor Of secession.
II might be supposed sufficient that
brave men were willing 10 take a solemn
oath in attestati0n Of the fact. but as /
perceive from every day IS experience that
their loyalty D. still doubted, notwith-
standing all the 0aJhs and acts they can
take and perform, ! have thought il
might serve good purpose TO illustrate
10y simple comparison how this diff
Guilty may be explained satisfactorily. viz:
Whenever two parties, equally honest.
have contested suit % law, was IL ever
known that the one losing the suit was
convinced be was in err0r2 vel his acqui-
e-ceuca l. q matter Of course; so, also. in
all cases OF arbitration, there Is no appeal
ever thought Of Now, this case only
differs from those cited in the tribunal
resOrted 10; the Southern people wrfe
from a lifelong education, convinced Of
the right Of a state 10 seceae, while the
people Of the other States bad been reared
in a different school. teaching exactly
the reverse-the sword was resOrted 70 TO
decide the question; the South accepted
that arbitration, and now abide its de-
cisi0n In this connection bet me assure
our Northern brethren that, il they de-
sire % know who IS most loyal 0f the
Southern men-if one IL more so than
au0ther-it i he who has borne the brunt
Of battle, but having laid down his arms,
has sworn allec.snce 70 the Governments
Of the United States.
In a word, he who was truest % the
Confederate cause, and has done this, Is
the most loyal man at the South; this,
YOU NAV rely upon it, is the safest rule
bv which 10 select the most trustv 0rthy.
l0yal men I'm that latitude, and If you
find a single exception 10 this rule, you
may hang ne for a traitor.
Now. let me conclude this subject with
o prayer to the President; that he viii
consider the peculiar circumstances under
which this treason lin his opinion was
committed, and a. il did not flow from
any wickedness on the part Of our people,
but from a mistaken patriotism, growing,
as have said, out Of lifelong education
he will pardon the 0ffense ~ eTteEso-
being satisfied 10 have it 50 defined
for the future that no one can mistake
what j. treason against the Govern
meut, and that all are ready 10 acknoWl-
edge that, for an attempt at any renewal
u secession, we unite IN proclalming II
treason, deserving the most summary
execution Of its penalties upon The Glen
der; but st this time, weighing the cir
cumstances well, undoubtedly the best
cement for our Union is the exercise Of
the pardoning power without exception
when the above conditions have Deen
subscribed 20.
lt is not for myself that ] plead, for
was pardoned by the Amnesty Procla- I
nation but from consciousness OF our 4
innocence, in this instance, Of intending {
wrong % any one-simply having acted /
with mistaken idea Of our power 10 do 1
what We thought we had a right 10 do, /
ana which we now agree Wecan never at i
temptagain without committing treason, I
ana inviting It's direst penalties. i lhope 4
tnefe Is no one 0f our feilow-citizens. tln-
derstanding the character Of the Deople I
who have been engaged In this movement I
vino is willing 70 attribute to them uch /
base ingrautude and dishonor as that of /
asking and receiving Executive cIem- 4
ency, with the intention Of VIOLATING
their faith thus pledged
With this poor effort to do sofnetri,,e,
which may enlighten some minds ~
more perfect understanding of the 49,
positions and feelings Of the Soi,fl,..,.,,
people, l am your obedient servant.
a PARDONED YIRGINiA.-