The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-09-24
THE SOUFH.a
An Ex.ReBel Omcer's opinion OF the
esLoyalty',Of the People.

A1AsAAb1EA OMAAGEA-b -DNlllM0M Oh GAAG
ssLOyalty', of the People.
The following letter from distin-
guished officer of the Rebel army was
read by the Hon. ]. NJ. Bolts at the
Onion meeting at Paterson, Nj, on
Wednesday, evenings
Iagree with you that something ought
to be'dons to restore the States To their
ante beLlLpl condition, and I willingly
confess l have not been able theoreti-
callyl to fix upon any plan that was
even satisfactory to myself,
1t is evident that any attempt to re-
construct the States lately in rebellion
by men who are just as hostile to the
Federal Union now as they were at anY
stage of the past fearful Struggle, and
who will have the same means of drag
ging the helpless people into any means
of resistance that future contingencies
may suggest, is eminently unjust to the
suffering masses, and dangerous to the
safety of the Government.
1t Is impossible 10 describbe the deep
seated and implacable hatred with
which. the so-callea leaders in the South
regard the Unionsand everything ap-
pertaining to it. 1T is hatred result
ing from disappointed hopes and the
Illustration of ambitions schemes, and
Is much the same feeling the thief en-
tertains who has broken into some rich
magazine of wealth, where he has
loaded himself with the stolen treasure,
and is about making his escape, when
q policeman steps-up, and takes the fell
low into custody. He looks upon the
officer and all the agencies used in his
detection as his mortal enemies, and no
time or circumstances can obliterate the
undying animosity of the detected
thief. rls-tsf ,
Nothing reconciles these political
charlatans of the South to residence
under the protecting folds of the banner
of the Union, but the fast growing hope
that they will one day get into power,
and be able to wreak a terrible VEN
geance upon all those who in any man
ner assisted in their downfall. have
heard this feeling expressed by the
| tlickering camp fires. 1 have heard it
in the editorial sanctum and around
the social circle, and L know from per-
sonal observation of men and things
that it would be dangerous, nay, it
would be suicidalin Congress to restore
these men to place and power.
l will oppose it while have any means
of successful resistance, and when all
hope is gone and the outrageous deed
is consummated, 1 will sell my property
and leave the country.
You will doubtless think this strange
language to- come from one who held
high rank in the rebel army. 1 will
not stop now to detail the means by
which I wns induced to take service
against my better Judgment and all the
convictions which some years of close
application to the study of politics had
| forced upon my mind. The influence
of relations and friends is not always
to be resisted, but / have never ceased
to repent the unfortunate deed.
lam an unconditional Union man,
and 1 take great pleasure in informing
you that there are many of the same
| ties, who are generally indisposed need.
lessly TO avow their sentiments, an6
thus draw down upon themselves the
concentrated wrath of7those who have
it in their power to do them immense
Injury; hut let the time come when
these men will be called upon to tax,
l'sides for or against the Union, and you
will find thousands of those who fol
| lowed the rebel flag to victory on many
a well-foughti field, will range them.
selves under the stars and stripes, anC
the Union and the Constitution viii bt
their shibboleth. rs5t f
j The rebel leaders are sadly mistaken
if they suppose they can bully the ranl
and file into another onslaught upoI
the Government. They were satisfied
with the Government before the war
they are satisfied with it now, and al
they ask is to be permitted to labor TO
their support in peace.
The masses are all right, and the onl1
) thing the Government need 10 do to in
sure its safety and perpetuity is to for
bid the lending politicians and officer
GERS of the South, both civil and mill
tary, from ever holding any Office what
ever, either State or Federal.isl oa