The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-03-19
A TEST QUESTION.

loyal people will consent to forgive those who |
have been prominent rebels, Is likely to be |
soon tested. Whether they, the loyal masses,
will quietly submit and allow, with unques-
TONED acquieseence, the reconstructed lead
ers ofthe rebellion 10 be appointed to proml'
nent positions in the civil service OF the Gov |
eminent, will soon be determined. The I
nomination Of General Longstrcet for lucra- |
tive and prominent office at the port Of New |
Orleans, IL destined to procipitate this ques-
ton upon the country. The discussion now
going on In political circles In Washington,
and what Is being said in the newspapers
about the nomination, bids fair to create
some sensation, to say the least.
Mr.. Longstreet was leading and success
full military officer during the rebellion, on
the Confederate side. He received his edu-
cation at West Point and Mt the expense Of
the Federal Government; but when the re-
bellion broke out he united his fortunes with
those who sought the overthrow of the Gov
eminent aud the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the
Union; and this appears to have been done
from deliberate choice on his part. When
Lee surrendered to Grant and the war
ended he accepted the situation at once, and
from that time to the present he has openly
and without disgulses or mental reserya-
tions, that VIC can sec, given In his adhesion
to the Union cause and advocated the recon-
structon policy Of Congress. Indeed, Mr..
Longstreet has fully Endorsed the Republi.
can party and labored for its ascendency in
the South. He Is a representative man Of a
class OF Southern gentlemen, whilom rebels,
of whose sincerity there does not appear to
be any misgiving or doubt. So far as we
can judge, he seems TO be, in all his private
action and public dcmeanor, as hearty a
Union man as any Of us who stood by the
Government when he was fighting to de-
stroy 1t.
Notwithstanding all this, and though 1t
Is admitted that what we state above is cor
rect, there Is a strong feeling against his
receiving this appointment for which he has
been nominated. 1t is urged with much
warmth and 4 degree Of earnestncss which
1t is hard to assail and beat back that there
are many Union officers who periled their
lives and sacrificed their all in the service Of
the country, who are now minus leg or an
arm, and who carry about In their bodies
wounds, and even bullets which cannot be
extracted. These men arc capable, honest
and patriotic, II Is said, and ought to be pre-
ferred before those who fought against the
Government, even though they have given
In their adhesion to the Union cause. We
confess TO the full force Of these views, and
do not feel much inclined 10 combat them II
We could.
Then, again, 1t Is asked with much force
by many who pay taxes to carry on the Gov
eminent, and TO pay the interest Of the cnor.
nous debt which Mr.. Longstreet and those
engaged with him In the rebellion were in
strumental in bringing upon us-aud these
people will ask you, with al emphasis that
does not admit Of an eyaslon-Ought We TO
he taxed thus excessively and our children
after US for many generations! and shall
portion Of our means, wrung from US by
this terrible war, 90 to reward II man who
was influential In carrying It on, If not In,
auential in bringing il about, by using hi,
powers to that end antcCcdcnt to it,
commencement!
There is much force in these inquiries auC
how long can VIC keep up these fcuds' how
long cherish these remembrance Of wrong.
done to us and our Government after those
who were engaged in this work Of premed
itated destruction have ceased their opposi.
ton and have given evidences of a genuine
repentance II we are TO have peace, must
we not discriminate between the unrepentant
Of nj rph git IN
Can We deny to those who have heartily re
pented equal privileges with ourselves by
excluding them from the Offices which by
right belong to any aud every American cit
izen who chooses TO aspire 10 enter the civl
servicel
These questions must be met, aud we had
as well decide the principle Of action In Gen
Longstreet's case as In that of any othel
person.
We have to say with respect TO the policy
to be pursued In determining the final solu'
ton Of this question the same as We say in
regard to all mooted points arising out O
the Southern situation and condition Of ai
fairs brought about by the civil war. W
must decide them upon the broad ground c
principle and with due respect to publ
justice, Diminishing all prejudice, persona
animosities and narrow sectional IDEAS. W
must be infexlblc where principle and III
safety of the nation and the Government ar
involved, but lenlent and forgiving toward
those who, acknowledging their errors an
abandoning their opposition yield a cordi:
support TO our Government.
Had Mr.. LongstrcCt been elected to Coz
gress from any Southern district, md cou
he by the removal Of lis disabilities hay
taken the oath, there could not have bee
any objection to hls admission. Why, thel
should he he rejected and thus be prevente
from assuming the position and dischnrgin
the duties of the office 10 which the Pres
dent has appointed him
While we would do no act that should II
lure the Union cause, We would also
nothing that Is inspired by prejudice or kel
alive by cherlshlng an Liberal spirit and
mlsChievous obstlnacy. While we make l
hasty advances towards showing unrcpen
ant rebels how well we love them, and no
much IN hurry We are 10 take them bacl
don't lei u' err too far on the other side
showing how doggcdly obstinate we can |
IN maintaining Tie Union cause, even to Il
sacrificing Of good men, who pcradventul
have sometime been much in the wrong.
DEPARTURE or EX-PRE-IDENT JouNso
FOR TEsSEssEE.-EX-PrC johnson ur
Mrs. johnson, Judge Patterson and family
and Colonel Robert johnson, who have bee
stopping at the residence OF Mr. John
CoyIc, 275 Vermont avenue, slucc the ith
March, left Washington yesterday mornll
at six O'clock for GrCenyllle, Tennessee, '
the Orange aud Alexandria route. Thu
were ACCOMPANIED by Mrs. Judge Mllllgi
aud Colonel Robert Morrow, United Stat
army, late private secretary Of Mr.. Johnso
The party reached Alexandria via the steam
City of Alexandria, Of the Potomac Fer
Company, special urraug cement, having hgr
made for their accommodation Ly Prrsi,lcI
Howison and Superintendent Samuel &c
ney, OF the ferry route. At Alexandria
large conCourse Of citizens met the EXPIRE,
uTI NFaNT ILL., IL