The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-06-11
The south.

III recent numbers mas an artlcIe entl-
tied the South, which We present to our
readers as one we'll worthy of their Pc
rusal. The identity of Northern and
Southern interest is pointed out as fact
which, willingly, or unwillingly, the peo-
pie must realize; they must ultimately
acknowledge that such reckless trifing
with Southern affairs as has marked the
course of the Radical leaders, must mate
rally affect the highest interests of the
North, which are bound up in the pros
perity of the South. The absurdity of
the policy which distinguishes between
Southern whites and blacks in awarding
the penalties Of treason is also plainly
set forth. When all are guilty there can
be neither sense nor justice in furnishing
one man because he is white and reward
ing another because be is black. Neither
whites nor blacks, as class, ever cared a
fig for the triumph of "loyalty," social
ed, and it is the height of folly to dis
criminate between them for the reasons
assigned by Radical agitators. The fell
lowing is the article in question:
whether they will or won't, the peo-
pie must face the fact that the prosperity
Of the North is closely identified with
that of the South. 1t is time to see the
truth that there is something else to be
done with the Southern people besides
this business of managing them with ref
erence to the future power of the Radical
party. There are other interests at stake
than this one Of gerrymandering the
South to give the Radicals an increased
vote in Congress. For no sensible man
will dispute that the present management
of the South is wholly controlled by the
question of future power and plumber for
party. The interests of the country
are forgotten. The interests of the Un-
ion are left out Of view.
The absurdities which our present
course exhibits are disgrace to us. An
example is visible in the twaddle of radi-
cal men about treason. Among the in
habitants of the Southern States there is
not one man in hundred, black or white,
who has not been an enemy Of the gov
ernment The most ardent aiders and
abettors of the rebellion were to be found
among the non combatants, the females
and the negroes. The negro population
was deeply imbued with the spirit of ha-
tired to the North; and in thousands Of in
stances this spirit led them to the verge
of the battle field; and where they could
overcome their innate cowardice it led
some into the heat Of battle. The South
ern army was attended by large numbers
of negroes. who from choice continued in
the field, and who were as ardent enemies
Of the "Yankees" as any of their white
masters. ~
Here then We have a population Of
some millions scattered through the
Southern States, who have come under
the dominion Of the law, aud who are
subject to such punishment as the Gov
ernment may administer. But no one
dreams Of Furnishing them. Why not?
Because it is said they were slaves, and
their acts were to be regarded as compul-
sorry. It is then conceded by the most
enthusiastic devotees of the blood for
blood doctrine that a nominal compulsion
is sufficient reason for excusing the great
crime. That the compulsion was only
nominal, no one can doubt. AT every
moment, from 1861 to 1866. the negroes
held possession of the homes and base of
supplies of the Southern army. There
was never an instruction, never dream
among them of casting off the nominal
yoke Of seryitude. They were willing
servants, and their masters had implicit
confidence in their fidelity, both to them
and the Confederate cause. Emissaries
were among them all this time seeking to
arouse them into action on the side Of
the Union, but they refused the tempta-
tions.
Looking at these facts, will the gen.
tlemen who have never yet seen a battle
field, but who desire to addto the terrors
of legal executions the slaughters Of these
years past,explain on what principle they
draw distinction between the white man
and the negro in questions relating to
f...-
confscation, treason. and the like2
1t is agreed on all hands that even the
negro, who, with rifle in hand, on the
rebel side. helped in the awful bloodshed
Of Cold Harbor, should not be tried as a
traitor. It is even agreed that the free
negro who took shot now and then for
the fun of the thing over the deadly works
in front of Petersburg ought not to be
punished as traitor. But who will de-
fine the distinction The pressure Of the
South which drove young and old into the
ranks was tenfoId more visible and tangi-
bic than the pressure on the negro. Why
not have some sympathy for the white
man2 Why this fundamental distinction
which tends to conflict of races? Ger !.
tainly' the day Of, wisdom and calmer
thought and wiser action must be before
US. 80 .z.s
1t is impossible that a nation should 60
blunderipg on in this blind, inconsistent
manner forever. Our present policy at
the South, distinguishing as it does white
from black, to the depreciation of the
white and the elevation of the black over
him is disgrace to civilization. There
is no satisfactory explanation Of the con-
duct of some Of the Generals now in
command at the South, nor is it improper
to attribute to them desire to provoke
hatred and perpetuate discord since there
is no choice between charging them with
-