Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-09
THE Pc! EsIDENT's POLICY A PREMIUM
ON LOYALTY


applicable to the South and to the reconstruc
ton of the Union, as contra distinguished
from that of the radical leaders, is-any one
may see even by casual glanced premium
on loyalty, inasmuch as when he takes the
ground distinctly-that he would LET EACH
STATE HAVE REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS- IF
BY BUT ONE LOYAL MAN, it becomes at once the
interest Of such State to select not only one
man in all respects suitable and acceptable as
its representative at Washington, but more,
also, if these can be had
And in announcing this policy, what is it
but that which has been in practice by the
Post Office Department ever since hostilities
ceased? Representation is benefit to be
conferred and received and so are mail facil-
ties; and acting upon well understood prin-
ciples which influence communities and indi-
viduals, the Postmaster General has said to
towns and villages throughout the section
lately in revolt-nO loyalty no mails; a pro-
ceeding which has had a wonderful effect in
developing what loyalty there was-more or
less-since the postmaster to be commissioned,
was compelled to show proper record.
Now there can be little doubt but that had
this same principle 06tuined IN tile other case,
every one of the eleven States would not only
have been represented to a certain extent to.
day, By the uery trUeSt Loyalists either North
or South, since these men, the Unionists of the
South like Maynard, Cooper and others, hare
passed through the ue,y fires of persecution"
as it acerc-in proof Of their integrity, bit
speedily, loyalty seould hare been as ire hare
said at a premium everylChere, and the Union
would have been Reconstructed by a process
so natural, so gradual and so certain, that ere
this, all would have been on the high road to
happiness and prosperity.
Let it be noted, that despite all the savage
and unfair insinuations against the President
political honesty, that he has always insisted
on "toyat' representation from the States
lately in revolt; and when the radical leaders
in their nervous anxiety to fix up the Presi-
dental succession, refuse to trust loyalty,
Unionism which has been tried by the most
terrible tests which could be brought to bear
upon it in bloody revolution, we insist that
that condemns them and their schemes so
plainly, so completely, that the people should
distrust and rebuke them, instead of listening
to their selfish insinuations against the Presi-
dent.
Again, there is nothing complex, nothing
indirect or hard to understand about the Presi-
dents policy. Like all great plans, it is
simple, effective, Just aohat the country needs.
On the other hand look at the Congressional
fabric, the work of nearly score of archi-
tects, each one of whom has dove-tailed into
it some impossible clause, some cumbrous
provision, until not satisfied as it came from
their hands originally, they see the absurdity
of it themselves, and have been seen again
and again trying their ingenuity upon it, and
all to no avail.
And called upon as the nation is to consider
the two plans, we insist that the Congressional
scheme is a premium upon distoyaIty, because
no more ingenious scheme could have been
hit upon to provoke and foster that evil
growth. Announcing to the suffering Union
men of the South, that all their brave en-
durance, their immense sacrifices, have been
of the loyal men of the other portions Of the
Union, or to the favor of the Government,
they insist that the past five years exclusion
from the benefits of the Union is not enough;
but that with no good reason for the disability
three years more must be added to what they
have suffered already, leaving the victims of
this miserable policy to be sneered at laughed
at by the disloyal around them, because of
having exercised undue faith in the Justice
aud goodness of the Government. 1t is nothing
less than an outrage upon the loyal sentiment
and magnanimity of the whole nation, but it
IS, besides this, confession on the part of the
radical leaders of such cowardice, unfairness,
or lack of discernment and honest principle,
that the American people should rise up as
one man to rebuke it.
No, we insist-with the President-that the
loyal men of the South should have some
chance; and if it SO happen that South Caro-
lima, or Georgia or Alabama, be each found
represented in Congress by bat one 6raue and
true Unionist, let the high honor be conceded
to him, deserving of it as such an one must
be. That is the just and wise course, and the
only one that will ever restore the Union; and
we care not what base insinuations may be
thrown out against those who avow these prin.
ciples and views, they are the only ones that
will go down with the people at last. That is
true UnioHiSm, true patriotism; and it is con-
solatory to know that the President will not be
driven from his ground in this regard, although
the whole Sumner and Stevens phalanx howl
their disapprobation of his course.
Finally, it should go for something, we
think, when along with the President, the
whole of his cabinet-or all but one or two
condemn the hair Drained and disiointed
scheme of the radical leaders, And we have
heard and believe, that even the exceptions
are at last convinced that the policy of the
President is the true policy to pursue. And
If men who have borne the burden in marked
degree of carrying the nation through its tire.
mendous struggle, if they believe in fostering
a loyal sentiment in the South-by the Presi-
dents plan, instead of pursuing that policy
which is calculated still further to ALLEVIATE and
disunite, surely it should set sensible men to
thinking, and bring them also to the support
of the President.
And for the State of Maryland, just now
entering upon political campaign in which
this line of policy will be in question-her
people will also recognize that the world
moves; that this is an era of progress. Whilst
certain would-be leaders cannot divest them.
selves of the idea that we are still at war, that
they must respond in the same spirit and tenn
per to the foolish demonstrations and utter
ances OF few disloyal people who cannot vet
see that treason has gone under the people
VIII act more sensibly and will Join the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet in that course which will
encourage loyalty and true Unionism. The
war, we repeats over; and if agitators can
not see this; if they will lend themselves to
schemes for the perpetuation of party ru1e in
stead of endeavoring to make us one peonle
again, they will be speedily recognized by the
masses as the fire brands and disturbers of the
peace they are; and pay the penalty of their
folies in the condemnation of their course by
the masses. Nobody whose opinion is worth
having, is going to believe that the President
has sold out to treason and its affiliations, so