The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-29

zines. have but q low conception of the
meaning of the war, and the reason why it
was undertaken. The masses of Northern
men, whether educated or mere laborers, who
watered Southern battle-felds with their
life's blood, did it not to recapture the
mouths of Mississippi, not to bring back the
revenue of the cotton States, nor yet be-
cause they feared the projected new empire
as n neighbor, which was to embrace Cuba
and Mexico. They did it to preserve to the
world an absolutely free government; 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
in trade and commerce, and utter social dis
integration, incessant pickering, murderous
hate? It is not the wealth of nation any
more than of an individual which gives her
permanent rank among her peers; it is the
breadth of culture, of enlightenment, the
unity of high aims among her people, the
lofty tone and temper of her social and do
mestic life. That the war should have engen-
dered bitter animosities, violent prejudices,
narrow and bigoted views was only to be ex-
pected. 1t was an almost fatal remedy for q
mortal disease; naturally, the body is left
feverish and full of morbid humors. But
the man who mistakes these local antipathies
and sickly dislilles for patriotism, surely
must have gone into the war with most
ignoble motives. 1t was, by the way, the
non-fghting 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 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
reconciliation. 1t belongs to the brave victor
first to hold out the hand, and not sting like
a venomous insect his conquered foe, by
gibes such as is this story. Let us have done
with squabbles and jeers; they belong to boys
who cannot comprehend the meaning of the
struggle, but not to grave and thoughtful
men.
The North and South, through counter emil
grafton, are likely in the next twenty years
to become more closely interfused than ever
before Their interests will be the same to a
degree that was not possible in the days of
slavery. Are they to remain two separate
peoples by virtue of the old feud? Is it to
be repetition of the history of the Normans
and Saxons, the Castilians and Moors? 1t is
in the upper strata of society the fusion will
! begin. There is Freemasonry between men
and women of education and gentle breeding;
| ~ gives uDSIdlGy anu DI0duGu VI Nl6W.
| The officer of the colored regiment who
held a place which the North held most
honorable, if his good sense and culture had
equalled his loyalty, would have been able
to look on the other side of the shield and
have readily comprehended how to aSouthern
woman he would appear her personal foe
We have little fear but that among the edu
Gated order the Union will soon become 9
reality in the relations of daily life, as it is
| politically. 1t is from the other and larger
classes, whose knowledge is confined princi
pally to the ways and means of earning theil
bread and butter, and who have never had
leisure to study any opinions on higher sub
| jects than those of their daily calling, tina
long and persistent antagonism is to b'
dreaded. States cannot, perhaps, be saveC
without the sword; but once saved, it is thu
Office of all wise men to apply the healing
ointment to make the State unit: living
healthy body moving in harmony, not a dis
eased mass of warning members.