New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-28
WOMEN U.s. MUL1TTOES.

A recent number of The Atlantic Monthly con-
tains reminiscence of the war, of which the
sole point and wit consist in an illustration OF
how certain Southern women disliked the Off
GERS of colored regiments, and were in revenge
tricked into kissing O mulatto Even if the
merit of the story had authorized its publica-
ton, we must censure it and all others of
its class as unwise and ill-judged in the
extreme. The writers who are guilty of
these ebulitions of petty spleen, so many of
which find their way into our leading maya
zines. have but a low conception of the meaning
of the war, and the reason why it was under
TAKEN The masses of Northern men, whether
educated or mere laborers, who watered South
ern battle fields with their life's blood, did it
not to recapture the mouths of the Mississippi,
not to bring back the revenue of the Gotten
States, nor yet because they feared the pro-
jected new Empire as a neighbor, which was to
embrace Cuba and Mexico. They did it to pre-
serve to the world an absolutely free govern
ment the union and combined action of many
peoples in the name of liberty the nation
which was to stand in the van of humanity, to
lead and to develop it.
But what Union is this which they have left
us, if it implies a community OF interest LII
trade and commerce, and utter social dlslnte-
grafton, incessant pickering, murderous hate
1t is not the wealth of a nation any more than
of an individual which gives her permanent
rank among her peers; it is the breadth OF cul-
tire. of enlightenment, the unity of high aims
among her people, tho lofty tone and temper
of her social land domestic life. That the war
should have engendered bitter animosities, vio-
lent preiudices, narrow and bigoted views, was
only to be expected. 1t was an almost fatal
remedy for a mortal disease; naturally, the
body is left feverish and full of morbid hui
mors But the man who mistakes these local
antipathies and sickly dislikes for patriotism
surely must have gone into the war with most
ignoble motives. 1t was, by the way, the nom
fighting part of the nation on both sides who
lowered the cause into virulent personal
hatreds the soldier who went nearest to
the battles front was most ready
to recognize in his foe a brother
whose opinion differed from his own.
We urge again and again upon our readers
that it is from the North the country should
demand, now, GOODNESS, good sense, charitable
Judgment, and the cordial offer of reconcilia-
ton. 1t belongs to the brave victor first to
hold out the hand, and not sting like yen-
omous insect his conquered foe, by gibes such
as is this story. Let us have done with squab-
bles and jeers; they belong to boys who can
not comprehend the meaning of the struggle,
but not to grave and thoughtful men.
The North ard South, through counter en-
igration, are likely in the next twenty years
to become more closely interfused than ever
before. Their interests will be the same to
Il tlat,x IN, tIa 10, 6
Slavery. Are they to remain two separate
peoples by virtue of the old feud Is it to be
a repetition of the history of the Normans and
Saxons. the Castilians and MoorsY 1t is in the
upper strata of society the fusion will begin.
| There is Free-Masonry between men and
women of education and gentle breeding;
it gives liberality and breadth of view.
The officer of the colored regiment
who held a place which the North held
most honorable, if his good sense and culture
had equaled his loyalty, would have been able
to look on the other side of the shield and
have readily comprehended how to Southern
woman he would appear her personal foe. We
have little fear but that among the educated
order the Union will soon become q reakty in
the relations of daily life, it is politically.
1t is from the other and larger classes. whose
knowledge is confined principally to the ways
and means of earning their bread and butter.
and who have never had leisure to study any
opinions on higher subjects than those of their
daily calling, that long and persistent antago-
| nism is 10 be dreaded. States cannot, perhaps,
be saved without the sword; but once saved,
it is tho office of all wise men to apply the
healing oiutmept to make. the State unit II