New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-24
MAGyAyJuTTY OF ADMIRAL SEMMES.

We Ike magnanimiy. IL Is Que Of the rarest and
noblcsi Of virtues. and in the smallest quantities
should be thankfully accepted. How grateful should
we then be for the overflow of this virtue AIMING the
Rebels ever since Mr.. johnson, with his usual propn-
ETY.. pri the Onion in the position Of an apoogist FOR
its victory 1--WE are a brave and galunt pepcl,"
saws John Pesky "hu hay dun best TO dstroi the
Union and We don't regret wot hav dun, bot onlcy
that We diduni sussced Bat holey caws IS rooind
anlthcrc!ot we chceruIly civ itup" With equal gen.
crosby. Sen. Wade Hampton. who asserts that the
South is and ever has been loya in the proper
Of the term" Is willing -notwi,hsiaudingth the shameful
breach Of faith Of which the North is gailty,
aud the "crucl and unnecessary war; II waged-
that the Rebel States should take their
old places in the Union So Mr. stephens of Georgia.
late yice.Prcsideut of the Confc1cncy, will re.
uctauily consent to take his seat in the United States
Senate. AMI perhaps Mr. Davis might be persuaded
70 go back with him. Robert y. Lee. so Southern
papers nobly urge would BE- tho Very man TO take com
mand II Union army as having done his best to de-
s,roy tho Government. he ought to know how 10 de-
icnd it, Examples OF this kind arc numerous. and the
South is full Of chiynrous Rebels who arc willing to
forget the shameful behavior Of the North aud endure
the drudgcry Of Office aud the painful humiliation OF
share in the Government.
But occasionally we meet With a Rebel who re-
fuses 10 forgive our crimes. admiral Semmes,
SAYS The augusta Chronicle and Sentinel "has asked
from the Federal Government no Office. and We doubt.
from our knowledge Of the man II he could be induced
10 accept one II rendered" What! can this be posi-
blei Have all Mr.. Johnsons labors to purify the
Government and make il fit for Southern gentlemen
10 take part in been yainl Here we have President
who declares that the leaders Of the Union party are
as much traitors as the leaders Of the Rebellion; who
answers all talk Of the hanging Of JEFF. Davis by
suggesting the hanging Of Thad. Stevens, who
describes the Congress Of the United States
as an illegal aud unconstitutional body; ana
yet the chivalrous Semmes refuses to DO molli-
fed. He has asked position of tho Govern
ment! Startling news which will alarm the nation.
What is worse, he cannot he induced to accept one.
Yet, when we recall his distinguished career at sea,
and the list of American vessels robbed and burned
by the Alabama, 1t Is cosy to imagine what value no
would be to the Navy Department. Of course, no
could take nothing less than an Admiralty; but no
declines everything Yet 1t was but little while
since the Admiral was in some danger OF being
offered a position by tho Government, and very
elevated one, which It would not have been in
his power to refuse. But the Government, with its
accustomed brutal want of magnanmity, refused to
force that honor upon the gallant rover, and is justly
punished by his dignifed refusal to have anything
10 do with il. The moral of the situation which Mr..
Johnson has so ably brought about ia understood by
The Chronicle and Sentinel, and We are certain OF
the truth OF its statement: "Whe neither the South
nor its distinguished citizens disposed to abuse the
National Government, we are very sure that neHs o.
us feel in any degree grateful for tho ~dy ." which ue
haze been treated. The msgnanimity of the Federal
Government We entirely fail to perceive or APP
preciate."