The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-11-04
Generosity to the Defeated.

ly in the New York Turf, Field and Farm
er. Its catholic sentiments are worthy
of being reiterated all over the country,
and if acted upon more generally would
rebound to the good of common coun-
try:
"Because a man has fought with you
there is no reason why you should always
regard him as an enemy. Nor do you
strengthen your cause when a man is
down by trying to keep him down.
Grant understood this principle when he
received tho sword of Lee ct Appomat.
tox court house, and Sherman recognized
Il it when he proposed terms to the army
of Johnston. But neither of these dis
tinguished Generals acted without pre-
cedent. They but followed the example
set by many illustrious commanders be-
fore them. Among our own countrymen
who extended generosity to the defeated,
we point to that great and good man
General Washington. On the 3lst day
of December, 1776, there arrived in Phiia-
delphia near one thousand Hessan prison
ers,. taken by the commander Of the Pro-
visional forces III what State paper was
pleased to call 'his late fortunate and sue
ccessful expedition to New Jersey The
General, in sending the prisoners to Phil
adephia, recommended the Council OF
Safety to provide suitable quarters tor
them sand'-we quote from public doc
ument-'it is his earnest wish that they
may be we'll treated, and have such 'prin-
ciples instiled into them, whilst they re-
main prisoners, that when they return on
being exchanged, they may fully open the
eyes of their countrymen in the service
of the King of Great Britain, who are at
present not little jealous of their En-
glish fellow soldiers.' Gen. Washington
Clearly saw that the Hessians had no just
quarrel with US, that they had been in
duced to invade our shores and fight un-
der the British flag because Great Britain
had represented us as wholly in the
wrong, as lawless set of plundercrs and
pretenders. True, they were hired to
fight against us, but the miserable pit
tance they received would not keep them
loyal to the British flag could we win
their friendship by acts Of kindness when
helpIessly in our power. The Council,
fully understanding how bitterly tie
American people were excited against the
Hessians, for these hired soldiers had been
guilty Of many gross outragcs, listened to
the advice of Washington, and January,
l, l777, they issued an order setting forth
the nature of the capture, and concluding
as follows: "But, from the moment they
are rescued from the authority of the
British officers, we ought no longer to re-
gard them as our enemies, at least while
their conduct will justify our favorable
opinion. 1t is Britain alone that is our
enemy; the other powers of Europe are
not otherwise so than as Influenced by
her, and many of them are from the
strongest motive interested in our favor.
1t is the officers and troops of Britain on
ly that are heartily engaged in the unjust
war against us, from avarice, ambition,
and thirst of dominion. And notwith-
standing the pains they have taken to pro-
iudice the Germans against US, we hope
they will find it impossible to prevail on
them to continue to imbue their hands in
the blood of Americans, many OF whom
are their countrymen. The most favor
able opportunity now offers 10 weaken
the force of our enemies, by making their
auxliaries our friends; and We earnestly
entreat our countrymen to embrace it, by
suppressing any resentment that might
naturally arise on recollecting their late
hostility, and treating the much injured
and deceived Hessians, now in our power,
in the most friendly manner; as people
we wish to unite them with ourselves in
cultivating the fertile forests of America,
extendingits manufactures and commerce,
and defending its liberty and indepcn.
dency against all attacks of foreign and
arbitrary power" There is wisdom in
liberality of this kind. The logic of it is
plain, for to strengthen cause we must
win over to it those who have been hes
tile to it's interests. The statesman is not
partisan. His policy is broad but firm
and Just. Some of our leading mon have
been slow TO recognize this fact Because
an enemy once, they have labored to keep
the South always in enmity to the North.
But the people have been wiser than some
of those who have aspired to lead, for
partisan feeling has been rapidly dying
out. A reunion of the States is once more
within the range of possibilities. In the
halls of Congress there will appear, the
coming winter, representatives from near
lv all Of the States geographically, if not
politically, recognized. And through this
union of what was once Federal and Con-
federate, the cause of liberty and cduca-
ton will be strengthened. Both sections
have learned to be more tolerant of each
other, and therefore we may expect
greater harmony in legislation, and the
development of the country to be most
rapid. The history of wars seem to con-
firm the idea that, instead of regarding
one with whom you have fought as an
eternal enemy, We fight with those that
disa oree with us in order that we may bo