Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-06


that the war IN Gambia has been brought
to a close, and a general amnesty granted
to the Rebels The rebellion in the Porte
dominions broke out long since our war
closed, yet he has suppressed that re-
bellion and almost simultaneously granted
a general amnesty to the Rebels 1t is
singular that while the despotic govern
ments Of the old world are ulanifesting
an enlarged spirit of liberality, the two
leading republics, so-called, in the new
werld are disgraced5with the eiaIn0r Cor
blood and cOnfscation by a people who
seem to be drunk with their successes
Where in the civilized world is to be
found a spectacle similar to that pre-
scented by the United States and Mexico
to-day? it was the boast Of our people
during the war that this was the freest
and best government in the world, yet
we have exhibited an intolerance which
such governments as Russia and Austria
and Turkey have put to shame, 1t has
been asserted within a few days, upon
what grounds we know not, that the
President Of the United States is-con-
templating issuing an amnesty procla-
nation to nearly all those engaged in the
late rebellion. This rumor has called
forth a torrent Of invective and threats
from the Radical politicians and organs.
The report has hardly gained currency
before he is threatened with impeaeh,
ment, and a most yindictiye spirit against
the Southern people is exhibited Con-
trast what is being done in deSpotic goy-
ernments with the course pursued by the
Radicals in this country, and seewhat a
spectacle we present to the world. rs
Pertinent to the subject Of the course
pursued by the Radicals, to which refer
ence has been made in the preceding
paragraph, are the subjoined comments
OF the Baltimore San. That journal but
expresses the convictions of every cam
did man when it says:
AT this moment the most profound quiet
pervades all the communities of the South.
Not so much as a hostile word to the
United States is heard anywhere. A people
who were a few years ago in arms, and
whose resolHte valor challenged the adj
miration of the world, are now governed
without difficulty by handful of troops,
and would be just as orderly and non-re-
sistant if all those troops we're removed.
They have submitted to the tremendous
penalties imposed upon them without q
murmur. If they have erred they have
bitterly paid for it. The -four of their popu-
lation lies in bloody grave They have
been stripped of possessions equal in value
to the national debt of the United States.
They have complied with every requisition
which the President of the United States
announced as a condition for their restora-
tion to the government. They have seen
the freedman excited to deeds Of violence
and insult, and amidst an intolerant
beastiality which may thus be engendered,
many among them entertain apprehensions
of most fearful outbreaks from the effects of
breathed into the ears of the blacks by
fiends in human form. Excluded from
Office, and their leading men disfranchised,
they have seen suffrage forced upon their
former slaves by those who do not permit
colored men among themselves to exercise
it. Amidst all this they have displayed a
heroic fortitude and patience which chal-
lenges admiration in any heart tina: is
capable of spark Of magnanimity. They
do not even, for the most part, display a
disposition to enlist in the discussion of
those questions in relation to the transfer
of their military commanders which else
where have caused so much excitement
and acrimony. Their journals declare to
them it is a matter of little moment what
officer executes the reconstruction laws.
Yet there are Radical presses which are
only stimulated by the noble spectacle of
submission and forbearance to cry out for
fresh vengeance upon them, to declare that
they have not been punished enough,
and that nothing but additional in
fictions will make them loyal. 1t
is obvious that if such spirit is to die,
tate the future policy of this govern
ment towards the Southern States, ii they
are to be held responsible and are to be
scouraged for controversies outside their
borders, when their organs of public opinion
expressly disclaim all responsibility for the
same, it is idle to indulge any hope of
proper restoration of the Union The
pleasing illusion to which patriotic hearts
so tenaciously cling may as well be ban
ished at once, and the American people
learn, like the South, to accept the stu
ation," which is henceforth, if such coun-
sells prevail, to be the permanent subjuga-
ton and alienation of the lately seeded
States, accompanied by the Attenuation
Of their governments, the control Of the lie.
gislstion of the whole country by the in
PRODUCTION of the same element into our
national councils, and the chronic de-
rangement of labor, commerce, and every
source of individual and national wealth
and prosperity in States which were once,
and are capable of being made again,
the chief fountains of the trade and revenue
of the nation.