Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-15
LEE aHE SOLDIERS NORTH AND S0JrTyE
SWAP COFFEE AND TOBACCO ONES

MORE.
Who does not remember the pleasant and
redeeming fact chronicled so often of the times
when the rebel and Union armies were in
deadly array against each other, especially
along the lines of the Rappahannock that the
prlvates-or in other words, the people COM
posing them-always busted themselves when
ever the backs oftheir officers were turned, in
swapping" coffee or jack knives for tobacco
Has it not occurred to the politicians, the
assumptions leaders and disclaimers of to-day.
that were it not for them, Il vast deal more
kindly swapping would have been going on
for the last nine or ten months between the
North and the South; are not the same fiery
passions appealed to yet, in order to keen
the masses of the two sections pointing their
bayonets at each others throats whilst their
leaders may win honors and places otherwise
unattainable?
These are certainly suggestive considera-
tons at this time, and we should not be sur
prised if even those whose peculiar weakness
has been an open-mOuthed admiration of Ihad
Stevens and his bitter sarcasm, are getting
able to see and comprehend it. It is true
that matters political are at length looking
little more promising, so far as harmonious
action at Washington between the President
and his late assailants is in the case, it being
plain that the aggressves have seen the error
they have committed in hastily attacking the
motives of the President because of his action
on the Ereedmen's bill. In all this we have
been by no means disappointed or surprised:
because satisfied from the first that an assault
upon the Federal Executive in the manner
witnessed would not be justified by the calmer
Judgment Of the people at large. And thai
the action Of the latter in rebuking the ultras
has had the effect noticed, and so desirable in
the interests OF the whole country, is apparent
enough since the President has maintained
his position immoveably, not disturbed at all.
apparently, by any fears lest he should fail of
being sustained by the people.
And now if it be true that movements have
been made to harmonic on a policy looking
to more speedy restoration of national af-
fairs; if it could be that men as moderate in
their views as Senator Sherman could be fixed
upon to carry out more liberal and enlight-
ened policy, for returning to their relationships
to the rest Of the States those lately in revolt
leaving the fierce ultras who have recently
created so much needless disturbance to their
own devices, the country might well rejoice
That the latter have lost confidence in each
other, is clear enough from what has occurred
lately in Congressional discussions Battling
with and thwarting each other in their prolific
schemes to "amend'i matters, it is discovered
that Sumner is a regular marplot; one as little
to be depended upon by his particular asso-
ciates, as he is by the Federal Executive.
Fairly justfying the popular view of his char
acteristics-that however marked he may be
as q busy decaimer, he has not the qualities Of
a statesman, there is no difficulty in finding
supporters for the President as against any
such, Il fact that should have made itself mani
fest long ago to any hastily disposed to side
with him in the controversies that have taken
place.
Again: the effort has been made and sig
nally failed, to read out of the great national
Union party even its stauncheSt supporters.
beginning with Andrew johnson, because they
honestly believed that the war once over, sin
cere and earnest efforts should be made to end
those asperities which have so long separated
the North and the South, leading at last to
war and bloodshed, and which, even with the
return of peace, are still fostered by dema-
gogues for selfish and ambitious purnoses,
OF course, the people are not blind to this.
competent as they are to Judge Of these loud
assumptions of greater purity of purpose.
They know well enough that it is the fate Of
all who presume to take issue with those
spoiled by success, to have their motives I'M
pugned, and their suggestions however Judi.
cious-scouted. But all this deceives no one.
appals no one. BY no means immaculate in
their Judgment or singular in their reputation
for patriotism, they have yet to learn that
there are other tribunals than their own to
which those assailed may appeal, that it is not
IN their power to pronounce finally upon the
patriotism of men with records to say the
least equal to the best they can parade.
Further, it is but matter of course. that
after a great conflict like that lately termi
mated, men shoGld differ as to the wisest
and best methods of clearing up those troubles
and disputes which have been left us as the
debris of the fight. And to display overbear-
ing and fierce dogmatism and imperiousness
IN this matter; to attempt to thrust overheard
all whom they fail at once to convince, is to
multiply enmities, and make and perpetuate
new Strifes
We have not, for one, been at allss' disturbed
by what has occurred; because we have felt
all along as if the people once appealed to and
aroused, would do much to set these matters
right. The people, let it be noted, are not
vindictive; are not implacable, as are too many
OF these politicians. From the time-we re-
peat-that the soldiers of both sides inter
changed kindly greetings, and snapped coffee
for tobacco along the lines below Wasbinc
ton, all sensible men have been aware tbot
with anything like kindly feelings fostered bv
those who assume to be political leaders. we
might be once more truly united and happv
people. The masses are the same, now: and
it will be to the lasting disgrace of Congress
and of all who are in position to influence
public sentiment, if these divisions and quar-
rels betwixt communities continue.
If the South had not been beaten to q stand
still, and more-all but ruined in every way
that looks to any real ability to make war
again, there might be more excuse for that
discreditable timidity which condemns the
President so loudly for trusting to the effect of
the terrible lessons received from the war.
The people must appreciate all this, and uti-
mately will pronounce upon it. Anxious once
more to exchange their commodities with each
other, deprecating these persistent efforts of
the leaders of both extremes to keen them
asunder, they villas they did formerly in the
armies of both sides-desert those who would
keep them turning their guns on each other:
they will leave to these vindictive demagogues
the business of fighting, to which they yet
appear so well inclined.
STARTLING STATEMENTs.-Th Secretary of
the Treasury has had a very remarkable letter
addressed to him by Mr.. Freeman Clark, the
Comptroller of the Currency, and which was
given at length in yesterdays Intelhgencer, in
which Mr.. c.. assumes that the Reports of the