The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-05
IMPARTIAL RECONSTRUCTION,
As Viewed by Northern Eyes from
Southern Standpoint.
0coME. Lrr Us REAsoN TOGETnER.n y

Southern Standpoint.
,'ooME. LET US REASON ToGETHER.n
To the Editor eft EUenjagl Telegrdpb:At the
close of a fratricdal war, unparalleled in magni-
tude and cost of life and treasure-preceded by
years of proracted and inconsiderate discus
sion, embittered by sectional hatred, intensified
by FREQUENT and objectionable ofTenses (whe-
ther real or otherwise), and resulting in the final
overthrow Of institutions coeval with the Gov
eminent. and consequent loss of the immense
treasures invested therein-it is scarcely to De
expected that the late combatants, on either
side, have sufficiently recovered their compo-
sure as to be able to agree upon an impartial
settlement of every difference that will give full
satisfaction 10 all concerned. Had the war
been between different natl Qualities, the diff
Guilty would have been a comparatively
light one. The rules OF war would have given
TO the victor the important right to dictate
terms regardless OF consequences to the
conquered. Ours is a peculiar case. The ter
rlble struggle just ended was domestic one,
in which brother rose against brother; and had
its origin IN an attempt TO perpetuate an insti-
tuition long and unjustly fosUered by the COM
mon law. National sin has been followed by
national retrOutlon; aud, as a result of the
terrible CONFUSION, the child of Liberty has
been brought forth pure and spotless The
false step taken by our Southern brethren was
which our fathers, at the close OF the war for
freedom, permitted the limbs Of the weak to be
shackled by unjust law, and thus instituted the
evil which, growing year by year into powerful
proportions, has at last perilled the very life OF
the nation.
The present is no time for party. The interests
at stake are too precious to be LETT to such
uncertain agencies. The future Is too full of
promise, as the reward OF wise action, to be
left 10 the passion OF the partisan. Let sec
tionalism and prejudice be forgotten, and
reason once more resume her empire.
The first great object to be secured is the
Union, lone ana lndivlsbe." To be perpetual
this must be cemented by the popular love
and common interest. Great though the cost
OF life and treasure has been, to secure and per-
petuate this Will be ample reCOmpense. As IN
Union we ind the great element of our national
strength, so in division aud sectional animosity
must we be weakened day by day, and the COM
mon prosperity be hindered.
While the Rebellion existed and the nation
was IN peril, the common veal demanded that
all our efforts should be given to the one great
object, the preservation OF the Government
The sword was then the only arbitrator To
have mterposed reason at that momentous
time, as to the cause OF the revolt would have
been bat a second rebellion tending to distract
and weaken the national energies. Loyalty was
then duty which the citizen owed to the State;
and 10 be truly loyal was to lose no opportunity
10 ald her IN the lawful work OF overcoming the
common enemy. To do otherwise was to rebel
and deserved the severest penalty.
The war is now over. Peace is again Or o.
CLAIMED. Brother no more seeks the lie of
brother. The bloody sword is once more
sheathed, and reason again, untrammelled by
present necessity, may resume her mild sway
and gather IN the rich fruits of the mighty
struggle She may even inquire into the cause
OF the war, measure the height and depth of
treason, and point out the true road to future
and permanent reconstruction. In doing this
We should act with prayerful hearts, and ewes
single to the public welfare. Who shall fully
measure the momentous consequences that are
aIftr e,
unborn
By the rules of war, the spoils of victory fal
to the conquerors, also the right to dictate thu
terms OF peace; and the conquered in the lat
their victors are anxious to secure the peculia,
national advantages flowing therefrom, or tha
they deem it necessary to provide against lik
misfortune IN the future. IT they who appealed
to the sword have suffered as a consequence
they have but themselves to blame. Had tn
Rebellion terminated otherwise, would GU
Southern brethren proved less eXacting?
Slavery is no more. 1t has perished at th
hands OF those who would have perpetuated
at the cost OF the national life. Though tn
loss may be deeply felt, it should be graceful
accepted, and compensation sought for in tn
future benefits to be derived from the hea tlfu
changes since instituted in the relations c
labor, the benefits Of which are already lore
shadOWed.
1t is but Just that the ratio of representa- ior
should be so altered as TO secure equal jus.ic
to all. To neglect this would seem like re ward
ing Rebellion. Such provision may at hrs
sight appear disadyantageous to the Souther
States; but, viewed in its relation to all time,
is but wise provision of justice. SLAYER
being no more, the sectlonalism which it er
gendered must cease to foster antagonism, an
it becomes the interest of the States to neuris
and protect each other as partners in commo
bond. 1t Will thus be unnecessary to struggl
for that sectional advantage which, in til
troubled past, made inharmoDious our nations
assemblies. 1t is, at best, but a mild exactioI
which should give no otfense TO the conquered
The debt incurred to support the Rebello
and destroy the Federal Union, was contracte
by the bondholders IN full view of the unlawf
purposes to which it was to be applied, and
full acceptance of the hazard which must folio
the downfall of the COnederacy. Could less
demanded than that all such fraudulent CLAIM
be forever repudiated?
reunion of our broken ties upon these tern
would be honorable to all parties; and, as
olive branch from the victorious North TO the
offending brethren of the South it would
magnauImous IN the fullest degree.
The great bone of contention, the barrier
reconstruction, which keeps alive the fires
discoTd, and threatens 10 increase secto on
hatred is the demand made for the immediate
of The Southern leaders as he pTtceEof reGdrR
siOE on reconstruction. To comprehend the fl
measure of injustice, and draw an equitab
conclusion upon this measure, will require II
most dispassionate judgment, and the sacrid