The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-08
SPIRIT or TEE PRnas.
Editorial Opinions Of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
DAY for the Evening Telegraph.
POLITICAL DISABILl TIES.

about his having been all through the war u
Union man, and nothing but a Union man,
we doubt very much the expediency of ex-
posing the falsehood of his assertion. There
has been great deal said, and much of it
Justly SAID, about the necessity of repentance
on the part of the Rebels, before we can
again safely admit them to full participation
In the government of the country; but then
it will not do to be too particular about their
mode of showing their repentance. 1t is
useless to expect them to go down on their
marrow bones, and acknowledge that they
sinned, and were deceived when they tried to
overturn the Union. The essential thing is
that they should in their hearts be sorry for
having rebelled, and be sincerely determined
never to do the like again; but it matters
very little in what way they reveal this state
of mind. Governor Vance made, during the
war, some very ferocous, and indeed we may
add atrocious, speeches to the Rebel troops,
and did what in him lay to instigate the per-
secution of Union men and recalcitrant Con-
federate conscripts in North Carolina.
We suppose there is nothing easier than to
prove all this before the Senate; but then he
can hardly give a stronger proof of his having
repented of it, and of being hereafter resolved
to lead a sober and loyal life, than his coming
boldly out in the presence of his neighbors,
and in the character of a Union man, and
talking as if no disloyal words ever passed his
lips. This is not certainly fermal express
sion of repentance, but it is a sign of repent
ance which there is no mistaking; indeed, it
involves, to a man of any self-respect, an
amount of humiliation which almost entities
it to the name of penance What good pur-
pose can be served by asking for anything
further, provided the principle be once con-
ceded, rs it has been conceded, that Rebels
may purge themselves of their guilt in some
manner or other, so as to qualify them for
seat in Congress?
Considering what has happened in Mis-
souri,, we trust the question of a general am
nesty will receive an early discussion from
Congress The result of the election there
has shown one thing cearly-that there is, or
is likely to be, enough division of sentiment
among Republicans in all the Southern
States on this subject to make the continu-
ance of the existing disabilities, imposed on
persons guilty of having taken part in the
Rebellion, probable, if not actual, source of
dissension and weakness in the party; and
this division is likely to grow wider and
deeper as time wears on and the passions
excited by the war subside. Moreover
there is a very general and very well-founded
feeling at the South, that these disabilities
are injurious to the business interests of
the Southern community. Apart from it's
influence on State politics. it is not posi-
BILE to divide community into two classes,
the other, without creating or rrotracting
more or less bitterness of feeling; and from
bitterness of feeling business always suffers,
even if it does not show itself in open vio-
lence. 1t is, however, of the utmost i'm por-
tance, both to blacks and whites, that bust
ness should prosper, and the tide Of immigra-
tion be attracted south of Mason and Dixons
line, and it will not be SO attracted so long as
existing political questions, deeply affecting
20 foo %I,.,,,,
main unsettled lii that region. The character
of the men who have risen to the surface in
Southern politics ever since the war, and par
ticularly of that portion of them which has
been contributed by the war, has done the
South serious damage, moral as we'll as ma
terial, and it will not be mended greatly
though we think the colored voters are ra-
pidly beginning to understand the White
mores-until the whole community of each
State is admitted to the management of its
affairs, and that this may be done without
damage now, we have no doubt. In the last
five years the negroes have learned to take
care of themselves pretty well, both at the
polls and otherwise, and in this field of ac-
tivity they are certainly more likely to i'm
prove than to 60 back.
Then, it must be remembered that the ex-
rebels, be they bad or good, useful or mis-
ohieyous, are not going to leave the country
large, important, and influential element, in
the population. 1t is one of the principles,
and soundest principles of our Government,
that all elements of the population, bad or
good, ought to be represented, and that the
safety of the State requires that each should
have a recognized outlet for its feelings and
opinions, whatever these may be. The whole
Union is undoubtedly the better for having
even such a constituency as New York CITY
appear by members in Congress- and give
vent to any badness there may be in it, and
show by the very character of its repre-.
sentatives what the political tastes, standards
and opinions of its majority are. This
rule applies no less to political hetero
doxy than to moral corruption, as long
as it involves no danger to the State. Vance's
extraordinary declarations about his past
record show that the Government has at
least nothing to fear from him. 1t is quite
certain that no good purpose would be served
at this time of day by furnishing him, and il
only remains to consider, therefore, whether
if he represents the views and feelings oi
any considerable portion of the people OF
North Carolina-and there can be no doubt
that he does-it is in the interest of the resi-
of the country to keep him out. We imagine
not; if he or his constituents have any trea
son left in them, or still entertain any senti
ments hostile to the peace and dignity of tht
Government of this Union, the sooner anC
more correctly they are blurted out in som,
conspicuous places, the better; for all his
tory shows that traitors are never so danger
GUS as when they are gagged.
THE BEHAVIOR OF THE NEW DO
MINION.
From the n y. Herald.
.