The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-04-08
GRANTS NEW MOVE.

GRANTS NEW MOVE.
The appointment of General Long
street to an important post under the
Government is notable event; and
equally so is his confirmation in the
Senate by q decided majority. 1t In
dicates something like IA new departure
in the policy of the Government TO-
wards the Southern people. The dis
cussion of this act has not been con-
fined 10 the Senate; but Republicans
everywhere are pretty much divided In
opinion, as they honestly may be, for
the question of its propriety is by no
means u ne.sided one. The interest
attaching To this appointment grows
ont of the fact that it is the first eleva-
ton of an ex-rebel soldier TO respon-
sibIe place in the Government. ana
because it involves questions OF Eentl-
ment and policy about which people
feel very warmly. The strong point
against it is the injustice of comforting
the patronage and power OF the Gov
eminent on man who was recently
in arms to destroy It, while there are
deserving and capable men South as
we'll as North, who defended the Gov
eminent when Longstreet attacked
IL. AS II matter of feeling and
sentiment from our standpoint
this consideration is unanswerable:
And vet we are not convinced that the
broadcast wisdom or the greatest good in
the end requires the Government to
copfine its action to the limits imposed
by this sentiment. 1t Is true that Gen.
Loupstreet was one of the foremost men
in the Confederate army, and therefore
one of the most formidable enemies of
the United States; but il Is also true that
when he surrendered, he did so unlike
most OF his fellows, i'll perfect good
faith, with n complete abandonment OF
his enmity to the Government, ana an
honest purpose to make reparahon as
far as possible for the wrong he had
done. Accordingly we find that While
the rebellious feeling throughout the
South, revived by Andrew Johnson's
treachery, was flaming out a1resn'
Longstreet was the avowed, the con-
slant and courageous friend OF the Gov
eminent and advocate of the recon-
struction proposed by Congress. he
was the one conspicuous rebel who real
ly did accept the situation In good 1alth'
and has proved it by his works 'FRONT.'
day he surrendered to this. Longstreet's
course met the execration of nearly all
the leading ex-rebels in the South and
of the Democrats North. Yet he per-
sisted; and there can be no doubt his
example has done great good.
Gen. Grant believed 1t wise to recog-
nize and reward such genuine renun-
citation OF rebellion and such faithful
support of the Government, not only as
Just in itself but as calculated to en-
courage like conduct and sentiments
on the part of others: 1t would be hard
to show the contrary.
OF course simply as question of re-
ward, the claim of Southern loyalists is
first. But is 1t wise for the Government
longer to deal with the Southern people
upon basis simply of rewards and
punlshments2 Is IL not time to rise
above this somewhat contracted aspect
OF the question? Are we not now suf-
ficiently remote from the injuries OF the
punishments has long since disappear
ed7 II swift and relentless punish
ment had been inflicted on a mum Der
of representative rebels Immediately
after the collapse, we have always be-
lieved the effect would have been
wholesome. The Government, upon
the theory that there could be no per-
sonal responsibility for such calamity
as tho rebellion, declined to intliCt pun
ishments, and confined itself to pro-
viding for future safety by the imposi-
ton of political disabilities. Following
up this policy Congress has from time
to time removed these disabilities from
many leading ex~rebels who have ex-
hibited a sincere purpose to support the
Government and obey ito laws. Recent.
ly the disabilities have been removed
from a very large number in the three
yet unorganized States. This Is done
because these men arc needed to help
build up civil government there.
We are to remember that in many
parts OF the South the people were
practically all partakers in the crime OF
rebellion. Some unwillingly so, but so
nevertheless. And almost everywhere
the rebels were the influential, the
educated and upper class. Four years.
experience In the South has shown that
while these people resist the restoration
OF OWL goVernment-uot by force, so
much as by the power of pnhlic eonti.
ment-a reorganization is nearly imnos-
slble; and it is sober facStS.t 60,
organizations as have been effecto,1 T.,
spite OF them have not always done
credit to those whom the government
had to use as instruments or wholly
succeeded In the ends for which they
were established. 1t is not to be expect
ed thew should even If the negroes and