The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-10
General Lees Testimony-The True Policy
tn be Pursued Toward the South.

to be Pursued Toward the South.
The utmost that can reasonably be expected
/ from people situated like the Vrginlans 1s sucn
political conformity as Gen. Lee declared TO
exist 1t Is barely twelve months elnce these men
were engaged in one OF the most desperate wars
ofmodern times-a war fought out to ''the bitter
| end' with every circumstance OF passion and fury
To expect that they should now look with positive
affection on their conquerors condemn thelr most
emiucnt countrymen as traitors, and repudlate as
abomnable the principles for which they sacrlhced
their fortunes and staked their lives, beyond ali
Il is h IL
if they cherish no idea tf deferred rebellion, and
if they are prepared to return to their former po-
sition with resolution to perform all their duties
as citizens, and with readiness to receive the
warmer impressions which time and intercourse
may bring. These are actually the feelings with
which Gen. Lee describes them as now animated.
More, it mus: be evident, could not be expected;
nu if more is desired, it is manifest that the result
c.,n only be secured by that very policy which the
President has avowed, and which the Radicals are
so fanasically opposing. If something is still! to
be done-as nobody need deny-before Vlrglnlan
can look upon the Union as he looked ten years
sg it can only be accomplished, as Gen. Lee az
irlaed by liberal and concilstory conduct on the
pal Of the Government. If passive scquiescence
be by kind and generous treatment. The pr hey,
Of the Radicals is stultifed by their own profes-
sions. They pretend to desire more sympa-
thizing South than they have already got, and
nosa to inaic, the Southern feeling, they pro-
people They They 1aai pfoH6ats ssm to Be still dsai
fected, or not sufficiently well affected, and by
way Of conciating them would condemn them to
alienation and outlawry. Such policy stands
selfconvicted, for it's only result must be to make
bad worse.
II is not probable that Virgnian looks upon
the Government OF The Union exactly like New
Englssnd,r; an no reasonable 9t person would expect
poses OF prudent reconstruction, II u the ntates,
lately in secession, have abandoned all IDEAS OF
Independence, and are prepared to make the best
of their position as members OF the Union once
more. The rest must necessarily be a work Of
time; but it will be accomplished most speedily,
as well as most surely, through such poHcyas
the President now advocates. He does NOT de
sire to swafnpthe South with q swarm OF p5aGkt ace
voters, nor to place the negro in ,s position Of h
He 4nd ges,iSes sTs1a% srS
fitic1 notessyssf he atipuIates that the Southern
ststss shall sfofeso their views of secession, ac-
knowledge and confirm the ab Ition VI SLAVERY now
and forever, deal fairly with the enfrpnchised
slaves, and repudiate tno-s.ae contracted TOR the
nurn1se OF the rebellion. TO ticec conditions
they arc willing to assent, and the Pfcstde- aAnld
open the doors of Congress to them, ana 30 re-
store the Union. What his opponents desire, OF
profess to desire, we may collect from INC eHmna mi
pation to which General Leo was subjected. They
demand mpossibilities; for it is simply absurd 10
REQUIRE that the South should humbly and thank
fully kiss the rod after the fashion they prescribe
The policy OF ths President, on the ''ther nau,
policy not only OF moderation, but OF promise.
1t bids fair to bring back the South to those sent-
m ments Of perfect concord which the Radicals pro,
tend to demand. It is General Lees opinion that
such policy aided By the Indispensable Pt
needs @ no argument to chow that policy Of provo
cation and Oppression, continued, after victory,
must intensity and perpetuase that very hostility
which it is intended to extnguish.-Lonaon
Times, April 10.