The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1867-11-07

ulGiiSob DiNNilg anu III huNtJlDAtlul vi u
Union triumph, he threatened the
most signal vengeance against his per-
secutors. The rebellion was put down
he became President of the United
States, and found tho enemies, whom
he had threatened, crushed, PROSTATE
and suppliant, And here is crime--as
as we have 1t from one of the most
able Republican speakers: He did not,
and-strangely persistent-he will
not, as President, inaict on them the
vengeance with whiJh, when in exile,
he threatened them. flo even went,
and seems still disposed to go, tho
length of relieving, as far as possible,
the miseries which they have, in their
madness, brought upon themselves
In other words, ofdolng good to those
who despltefhlly used him, and persc-
cuted him. The Republican orator. to
whom | refer, could find no human
motive for this change of feeling aud
action, and, therefore, concludes that he
was moved to It by the instignation of
the devil. All motives merely person
al, he proves to have been strongly in
favor of the threatened vengeance
We need not be told thai revenge is
a sweet morscl,
"sweet to the soul as honey to the taste"
And the orator says that the two
Houses would have sustained the
President-that tho people would have
sustained hlm-had he carried out his
threats; and that he threw away these
advantages and brought himself inlo
disgrace and peril, with the party
who honcred him, by listening to the
voice Of mercy and weakly and wick
edly forgiving his enemies.
But after all, think the orator, for
whose opinion have great respect,
was mistaken as to the motive power
to which he Imputos this change of
purpose aud action The devil is often
accused unjustly. That high fuuc-
tionary, as | am-instructcd. never in
terlered to allay the angry passion OF
men, but rather to excite and inflame
them. Indeed 1 think rational hu-
name motive may be found for all these
evils of the President, charged and
proved against.him.
1t was certainly quite natural to be
ncensed against the rebels, who dis
honored, insulted and drove him 20 ex-
lie, and equally so TO express his indig.
nant feelings in language Of defiance
and in threats--and it is also quiI'
probable that when he became Presi
dent, he thought it improper to use hi
high official station to avenge his pri
vato wrongs, and to execute, rs Presi
dent Of the United States, t hreats which
he made as Androw Johnson, of Ten
nessee. He acted MS if h'
! though and fe,t so. 1t was. the
paramount duty of our President, OBJ
vious to one who had no puvat
wrongs to avenge. or, having such, de-
termined toforgivo them, to allay dl
visions and promote peace, and to re
store the Union, and bring all its part
as soon and effectually as he might
into harmonious action. Indeed h.
, seems 10 have felt this, and to hav
thought it better and more surely &C
complished by kindness and concilia
Jion than by continued insult, menac
: and arrogance. So no seems to hav
. thought, for SD he acted.
And on reviewing tie ground as ia
as my limited observation extends,
y SEQ no reason to anticipate reactionO
< ry excitement in favor Of extrem
0 Radical men or measures. The tide
u setting against them and cannot b
o suddenly checked The moro consei
vative Republican leadors, ,ifthey woul
I retain power, must learn to know tbs
! there is public opinion not create
. by themselves or changeablc at thei
D pleasure. which, whom 1t speaks-as
o has spoken--is entitled 10 their r.
d spect. In obedience to this they mus
u dethrone their Radical despots, an
g conform their action in Congress
d the expressed public will, and legi
late like rational men, with calmnes
i and consideration rather than wit
9 passion. 1t is hard to ask politics
!, party 10 acknowledge error and re
II trace their steps, but in this case ii
" good of tho country requires, and ii
expressed will of the people demanC
'e it. The correction must and will
10 made, either by them or by those wi
y will succeed them, and it We're bett'
il done IN conservative spirit by the
= than by the Democracy, who will
eI othorwlse called to tho task und
T. more difficult complications
20 If the Republicans will do til
50 promptly and chcerfully, they W
y probably regain and retain their a
y tendency, and they may rely on Il
90 Democracy to render thcm all needf
~ aid in restoring and securing
IN That party, wherever in power, wi
unless they have learned wisdom fro
is hard experience, adopt objectionab
lg measures, or bring forward obnoxio,
a. men, such as will destroy their ascc
n. dancy, :fthe republicans have conser
eft atitive wisdom enough TO profit