The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-24
THE RIGHT SPIRIT.
From the N. Y. Times.

Mr. Blow. the new Minister to Brazil,
seized the occasion afforded by the farewell
festival of his st. Louis friends to inculcate
a lesson which other States than Missouri
may proftably learn. He urges as the con-
dition of ''solid and enduring reconstruc-
ton" the cultivation of good feeling between
the sections, and the speediest possible obli-
teration of feelings and disabilities arising
out of the war;
''Let me open my heart to you plainly, for have
never had but one view in regard TO the settlement
Of our difficulties. had perfect faith in the high
character, the honor, and the nobility of our people,
had an undying faith in the strength of our repub
iCan institutions, and hence decided that, Justice
ana saleCy once secured, IL was cur cIear quty 10
forget the past and 1--we only Tor the future Let the
world speculate it will, all honest minds will agree
that brave men are to be trusted. Let the enemies
OF democratic institutions nope for new dscOrds, but
for we will boldly proclaim that the men North
South, East or West in whose veins courses the pure
blood of our Revolutionary fathers, brothers.
What we want is a reunion founded on the love of
the people for each other and on genuine attach
ment to free institutions: and such q result must
flow from impartial Justice. Let us reach that point,
and On.the moment the voice of the century will
proclaim us the first nation in the world Such my
friends, is the picture | have drawn from know
ledge Of what you have done for your country. Let
Missouri gladly welcome all who honor these divine
teachings. This will form n perfect reunion. This
is solid and enduring reconstruction
Whatever passion partisanship may su9-
gest to the contrary, there can be no doubt
that the practical application of the view here
enunciated is essential to the restoration of
genuine peace and prosperity. 1t is idle to
hope for either so long as the prescription is
maintained which at present exists in Mis-
souri,, Tennessee, West Virginia, Louisiana,
and in one other of the reconstructed States.
Disfranchisement and disabilities are as dan
gerous as now they are unnecessary. The
republican instincts of the American people
revolt against them. They are an ever-pre-
sent memorial of strife which we should en-
deavor to forget-a constant source of irrita-
ton, fostering on one side a misuse of power,
and on the other a sense of harshness which
makes hearty reconciliation virtually impossi-
BILE. Therefore Mr. Blow is right Justice
and safety having been secured, ''it is our
clear duty to forget the past and live only for
the future" On no other basis can Difficult
ties growing out of the Rebellion be satisfac-
torily adjusted. Might should be linked with
magnanimity, or the triumph of the Union
will lose somewhat of its glory.
To the cultivation of this spirit in Virginia,
General Grant has largely contributed; and it
promises to have further development in Mis-
sissippi under his liberal execution Of the
| reconstruction acts The pending constitu-
ton of Texas is happily exempt from the op-
pressive disfranchisement which was projected
in the two other States 1t remains for the
President to guard against the revival of pro-
scription by the arbitrary action of the dis
| trict commanders, az is evidently contem-
| plated by General Candy in Virginia. The
| President has an opportunity of perfecting a
work which in the case of Virginia owes
| much of its success to his broad and generous
policy. The reconstruction he is giving the
country is of the kind prayed for by the Min
lister to Brazil.
The value of the service rendered by Gene
raj Grant in this connection is enhanced by
the pressure to which he has been subjected
| by the selfish schemers whose intolerance
| takes a methodical and even a profitable
shape. Wendell Phillips is not alone in de-
manding the proclamation of martial law over
the Sonth; nor do the Virginia supporters of
| Wells lack hackers in their attempt, by fraud
and falsehood, to frustrate the election in
that State. Phillips demoniac hate knows no
bounds, and tn hypocrisy of the Wells party
is equally unscrupulous. These efforts to per-
| petuate prescription and bad feeling have a
counterpart in Tennessee, Texas, and Missis-
sippi; and they illustrate by contrast the wis
dom and kindness Of the Just and humane
! policy which Mr.. Blow commends, and which
General Grant is quietly carrying into effect.
Let this policy have free course, and let Con
gress act upon it by providing some general
measure for the removal of the disabilities OF
which it retains the CONTROL aud the futule OF
the South will not long remain obscured.