The southerner., 1867-01-03
The C0nanered Sautfs.

The following, from the pen of the edit-
or Of De Bows Review, give expression
to the feelings of The Southern heart in
this hour Of its seyerest trial
Throwing aside, however, the question
Of responsibility, when the decision against
sus was tie sword, we will do the South
ern people justice to say there was no
longer any hesitation. The day of debate
was ended. The taleat, the worth, the
intellect, all that was noble and distiu>
guished in the States, from Virginia 20
Texas, the DESCENDANTS Of the men who
fought with Washington at Yorktown, of
the heroes who figured ia all the great
fights whore the national eagle loated, or
who indicated the fame of the nation on
the ocean, on the floors Of Congress, in
the chair Of the presidency or the cab aet,
or in positions of honor abroad, blckled
on their armor, marshaled their cohorts,
and in Lot haste rushed to the front. The
exceptions were SO few as notso effect the
rule, and We are not now, nor ever have
beon, willing to impugn the motives or to
denounce the men, scattered here and
there in most of the States, who consti>
tute the exceptions. Let them defend
their records as we do our own
Was this rebellion ? were these trai-
tors, or did the struggle rise to a greater
and nobler attitude The question can
remain for history. Name 1T if you please,
however harshly, aud where d. you fad,
in all the histories that you have read
from those of Thucydides and Lyy, down
to Bancroft aud Hldreth, so unequal
struggle main aimed with as much fire and
energy; snch heroism displayed ? How
Hany great armies were driven back
what captains fortunes were ruined :
and Vieksburg Six millions of men
were in dea.h struggle against four times
| that number six millions without ship,
with scarcely gunboat, shut out FROM
all the world by rigorous blockades, with>
| out workshops, machinery. or mechanical
| aptitude, without clothing. without arms,
and often without food. Yet the fight went
on four long years, until some of your lead
ing writer's and thinkers began to express
the opinion that Southern Independence
was virtually achieved. These deeds of
daring aud heroism, this record of energy
and endurance, startled the European
world, and extorted it's admiration, if o.,
its friendship. Are the men Of the North
less impressible by the morally sublime,
when exhibited by those once their ene~
mics? Can they not recognize heroism.
and claim it as their common heritage in
the future? Even heroism, if you please
to say so, in wrong cause?
! This people have not been degraded or
humbled. 1t is not in your power, and il
you are true statesmen it can not be your
desire to do either. They are your coun>
trymen, and for good or i'll, your descend
auts and theirs, in all the ages that are te
come, are ikely to minsle together. Their
crest is erect! Let their losses be ever sc
severe, they do not embrace honor. Thai
: survives, and fortunately for America il
does; for what picture would its repubIi
eanism present were the people of one
third of the States, self,acknowledge, t.
D bedegraded and debased! Neither reveng,
r nor policy could dictate this. Reveng
could not be egratified by sowing the storm
, to reap the whirlwind. Policy, ancien
t and modern, teaches differently. TIL
Greeks and Romans conquered the worl'
by conciliation, laws, liberties, institu
J. tions, as we'll as by arms. English libel
: ties and the English Constitu ion hav
q been maintained by the descendants Q
: York and Lancaster, of Cromwell and th
lCalvaliers. On the field of Bosworth, al
: ter the star of Richard had set in blood
e ahe princely Richmond could exclaim,
d " Proclaim pardon to the soldiers fed,
r That in submission will return to US
e And then, as we have taken the Sacramen
d We will unite the White Rose and the Red
[, Smile Heaven upon this fair conjunction
n That long hath frowned upon their enmity.
A people with such antecedents a
Those Of the South cannot submit pei
maatly to be lorded over and acknowledg
r the authority of a master race. The
l. Imay endure for time, but the woun
IT will rankle and bleed afresh, ard the
b will strike back and bite the heel of tn
Ioppressor. nextinguishable hatred wi
r Igrow up, aud their children, like the ir
S fant Hannibal will be sworn upon the altar
: of vengf ance. Nor ought the power Q
If such a race to be despised. Weak
: may be to>day, disorganized and over
b whelmed by defeat, and colossal, discipliE
n ed and organized may be the power whicl
;. is brought in threatening attitude agains
Il it, There are small accidents in histor
It which change the relations of peoples.-
: The weak have but 10 wait upon opportu
n nifty, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Hungary
/? will rise and rise again. History is fu
) of these examples. A vast military es
n tab ishment great standing arm :es, gar
: risons will be needed here; and Will
7, their force is expended in crushing re
e bellion in one quarter, in such wide do
main, it will be aroused and rampant
of a hundred others. The tyrant, the or
'e pressor and the despot will in vain see
l. to prevent opportunities which the grea
a politica, relations of the world involve
re and he will, even in the grandeur of b
e pretentions. tremDle before them.
"Who would be free,
Themselves would strike the blow"
L But why drive brave and earne'
e people to despair? What great publ
!, purpose can be answered? In what re
p" spect will the North be happier, wealthiel
e. most powerful by such course = Wh'
N christian or patriotic instinct can be graf
:. fed by it? You have said Freemen wei
.. better than slaves, and is the doctrine
applicable to white men as to negroes ?
:: Do you not hasten to get rid Of the e,
as pense and charge of Territories by COZ
ul verting them into States Has not Bria
d realized thousand times over profit
lie the change which made her colonies il
eff dapopdoSt Ctatac