The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-16

he
est prefeTment, he chose, in 1861. to link
| his fortunes with the section that had an
earnestly supported him for the Pr.sidsnov
and entered the Confederate service. <,
thirty eight, the man who thirteen wears Ia
fore had served the Government as soldier
on ioreign soli, was major-general in the
armies that strove to break up ths Govern
ment, and at fOrty-two he was the Ssoretarv
OF War OF the insurgent Con ederscy. Than
followed dreary four years of exile. and now
in his forty ninth year-just at the age when
such men are entering upon the full and ripe
maturity OF their powers-vigorous, and vet
capable OF hietlme's work-this soldier of
the Mexican war, Congressman. Vice-Presi.
dent, goes back to his native state.
What shall he do to make returns for mast
honors-what TO N AXE amends for past errors
he goes to State that idolizes him. and
finds her, badly pre9minent among ali the
sisterhood, broodiDg over the ashes Of the Re-
bellion, and seeking to nurse their smoldering
heat into another flame. She still cherishes
hopes of payment for property in human
beings, II not OF an actual reconversion Of
them into property. She still denies equality
before the law to large class of her citizens.
She still licenses any white rufiau to outrage
or murder negro's wife before his eyes, and
refuses to take the negro's testimony against
the criminal. TO every step 'in the nations
progress toward freedom, harmony, and peace,
possible way, and with an amazing pertinacity,
she cherishes, in the midst of the new lie
of the Republic, the spirit of the slave-hunts,
the civilization of the dark ages. Throughout
the whole limits of the late Rebellion. there is
not to-day State SO rebellious, in spirit or
act, as Kentucky. Neutral, SO far as she
could be, during the war, she Is now hostile,
as far as she can be, when the whole nation
is crying for peace. Yet her favored son is the
returned Vice-President of the Union and
Secretary of War of the Rebellion. Popular
always from his earliest entrance on political
life, he is now far more popular than ever.
Heretofore he has been the leader of
party in the State; now he may be, if he
chooses, the leader of the State.
We hear and believe that Mr. Breckiuridge
comes back animated only by hopes of union,
prosperity, and peace; that he earnestly de-
slres the acceptance, in good faith of the
results Of the war final, the cessation of
strife, the growth of fraternal feelings the
dismissal of OLD subjects of dispute, and new
political departure; that he fro wns upon every
expression OF desire to renew the struggle for
the "lost cause;' and that for himself he looks
for no future save in the growing greatness of
the nation he once sought to destroy. That
nation has freely pardened him all his errors
Will be not, in return, use his influence in her
behalf among these disatfected KentuclSians
who almost worship him, and are sure to fol-
the way His first appearance in Congress
was as the eulogist of Henry Clay. Will he
not now emulate that great mans fame, take up
his mantle, and plead, with an eloquence not
unworthy audiences that still remember the
silver-tongued barry OF the West for recon-
ciliation and harmony, and union and peace
We want to see it acknow led ged in Kentucky
that loyalty to the U aion was net crime, nor
even cause for political disabilities or social
w tn no ami rit of Rah al
lawlessness laid. We want to see the efforts
to retain, in the guise of apprenticeship or
otherwise, some of the worst features of the
system of slavery, abandoned. Wewsnt to
see the binding effect of the Civil Rights bill
frankly and manfuly accepted. We want to
see negro testimony admitted in the courts,
not as better than a white mans, but pre-
cisely like white mans, for whatever the
circumstances and the previous character of
tho witness may show it to be worth.
Above all, we want to see the old spirit Of
loyalty and devotion to the Union once more
the characteristic of this Commonwealth of
glorious memories. Mr.. Breckenridge, more
than any other citizen, more almost than all her
other prominent citizens, can help to bring
back his native State to the fidelity of her
better days. He is himself the best Judge as
to the mode in which his influence shall be
exerted. "Sager now than in his fortunes"
he may well be trusted for that What the
country has right to expect of him is that in
some way, and at the fit ting time, he will
make this influence felt.
The Internal Revenue ONCE Clique at
Washington.
From the ~. Y World.
The new Commissioner Of Internal Revenue
may be said to have now fairly entered upon
the duties of his Office, and the country,
without respect to party, will which with deep
interest the course he intends to pursue. One
of the first steps, If not the first, which due
regard for the public welfare should constrain
Mr.. Delano to take without unnecessary delay
is the complete and efieetual breaking up of