The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-08-09
THE DEMOCRATIC ADVOCATE
THURSDAY, AUGUSTA, 1866
RECoNsTRUCTnON.

selves that they are, and yet shudder at
the idea of the South sending to the
Philadelphia Convention some represen-
tatives who were known to be strong
rebels. They also feel very squeamish
ubout meeting Democrats in council on
the affairs of the nation, and think 1t
dreadful that yallandigham should be
sent to the National Convention to
sneak for the Peace Democrats OF the
North.
A little reflection should show these
gentlemen their error, and that the ex-
bibition of such feelings proves that
they have not yet cast off the letters of
radicalism. The merit of Andrew
Johnson's policy consists in its total op.
position to the radical spirit by just
and generous reliance on the people of
the South, and desire to regain their
lost affections, and restore them to their
old love and support of the Union by
the manifestation of sincere Christian
charity. The Radicals, we well know,
proceed on the ground that they had
given the South no cause for rebellion
that the Southern States must not be
allowed to participate in the government
Of the Union until they have been Sc
ycrely punished for their rebellion; and,
in the meantime, no one should be al
lowed to hold Office, or to vote there,
who was not known to be loyal during
the war The principle they 80 on is
the same as that by which England gov
orns Ireland, or Austria llungary--that
is by despotic force. 1t is the very OPP
paste to the principle on which our
government is founded--frce and yolun-
tary self government We must treat
our people everywhere fairly or abide
the chances Of civil war. When the
latter unfortunately breaks out, we must
save the government and nation the
best way we can and when they are
saved We relapse at once into the old
State of Republican self government,
aud the bclligcrcnts are bound 10 trust
each other to the fullest extent, or nc
knowledge that their system Of govern.
mcnt has been changed by the war to
an absolute dcspotism We shuddcr at
the consequences Of putting in practice
radical doctrines, proclaimed too by the
very men, whose bigottod political no.
tions, forced on the country, first des-
troycd the harmony and equilibrium Of
the people.
As the people Of the South generally
adhered to the rebellion, il should be
desired that they would just az unani.
mously give in their adhesion to the
new order of things. This cannot be
effected unless they are left perfectly
free to choose such agents as will best
represent their true sentiments. II
would be gratifying if they would choose
such as were not implicated in origina-
ting the rebellion but we would not
interfere with their exercising the lar
gest liberty and believe it would rath-
err be an encouraging sign if some Of
their hardest cases would attend and
give in their experience, showing the
great change which we believe has Ia
ken place, even in such minds, in favor
of reunion and reconciliation. From
the manifestations we have seen we be-
Iieve that they prefer sending men like
A. II. Stephens and II. V. johnson, Of
Georgia, who did all they could to pre-
vent the rebellion, and only yielded TO
the current when it could not be rcsis-
ted. Yet these are the Delegates OBJ
iections are made to, very unrcasonably
we think. Mr.. Stephens has expressed
great dclicacy about attending, and only
consents because it is insisted on North
as we'll as South Gov Brown. of Geor-
gia, whilst proclaiming his great desire
for reunion, and approval of the Con
vcntion, has declined to serve, for fear
his antecedents might injuro the cause.
These indications inspire us with great
hope, and should stop the cavillings Of
weak kneed supporters Of the President
The objections to Nallandigham, and
the few representatives of the Peace
Democracy are equally untenablc.-
They opposed the war because they had
no faith that it could save the Union
They acknowledge they were mistaken,
and enter joyfully on the work of rcsto-
ration 1t is folly to tell such men that
their support is not needed, We dread
the strength and desperation Of the
Northern radicals, aud would accept any
aid that will help to overthrow them,
and rid the country of their power to
prevent reunion.
Maryland Institute.