The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-09


commercial interests, but that thousands
OF brave hearts, already trained to sea-
mans life, rising at their country's peril,
shall find, ready in the exigence, the means
that commerce has prepared, and our coun-
try be as safe in war as in peace.
am for the annexation of San Domin-
20 and the whole of the Island of Hayti, if
It can be honorabIy achieved, and by fur
nishing its principal harbor with COM
pete Notifications and ample naval stores,
make it an ever sure ocean home for our
| birds of war.
The other topic for national considera-
ton, and by far the most pressing, is the
removal of all disabilities whatever from
every participant in the late rebellion. |
advocate it. | do SO at this time on the
ground of policy, without at all touching
the question of its justice. Among the
reasons for an entire and complete and
practical amnesty, the strongest appears to
me to be the wholesale slaughter of political
demagogues that such an act would cause.
The a. k and file of those who bore the brunt
of the southern side of that strife are now
none the worse for it, nor for the restric-
lions at present existing upon their late
leaders. This they see but dimly, and
their imperfect vision of it is yet further
obscured by the arts of embittered fossils.
To make them fully aware-beyond the
power of political tricksters to conceal it
of the fact that the dead bones of the re-
bellion should sleep forever in undisturbed |
graves, we cannot err in putting upon it |
the broad seal of national magnanimity |
and when they understand that the Re-
publican party, or the government of the
United States, whichever you may call it,
is strong enough, is brave enough, and is
wise enough to thrust forgiveness upon
them, the tide in its ebb will sweep the
eminences of self-assumed martyrdom
from under the feet of these panderers to
the dregs of hate and prejudice, and we
may safely commit them to the waves of
time, knowing full well that few short
months will find them drifted on its shores,
as useless and unthought of as the empty
shells of ocean.
Besides the doing of thing, there is
also the manner of doing it; and. often
times, as in the touches, graceful yet
sweeping, that the brush of an artist gives
to the unthought-of canvas, the latter i'm
parts, in the main, the value to the act.
Having decided to bury forever the re-
membranes of our civil strife beneath
load of generosity, let us pile it mountain
high let the act be graceful and grand in
It's perfect completeness let no name be
omitted or excepted let us show them
that we fear them not and that they need
not fear us for the past. What would
then be the posture of affairs Upon
what keynote, that were not thoroughly
could their party bugle sound the
gathering And can we ask more than to
meet them, or any party, upon issues that
cover every foot of land over which the
lag floats, and upon which rests the in
;erests of North and South, East and West
like. Then, if we fall, it were noble
all, to vindicate our honest views OF right;
md when they caught up from our failing
hands the standard and earnest of success,
We would wish them God-speed in well
loing, and ask that they should do no
more, and demand of them no less than
we, III the ardor of our honest purpose,
nave done, and hope yet to do for our
veal.
This, think, is the main argument--or
1t least sufficient one; and with our
united, except in that division by
party that makes the equlpoise graceful
with our commerce growing and its ocean
eyre around SANTANA offering an ever-ready
larbor and safe retreat, the future must
develop future wants or dangers ere we
could form for it future wishes or safe
guards.
Besides, government can stand upon
out one of two foundations--fe or affec-
ion. They are usually blended, but one
or the other must largely predominant.
Force characterizes the one, kindness the
other, and it would seem unwise to display
an amount of force sufficient only to irri-
tate, but too small and marked to overawe.
Pennsylvania has great cause for con-
graduation upon the position her Governor
has taken on this subject. His message
has the ring of the true metal, and he has
struck in peace, as he did in war, so often,
ia the right place at the right time, tell
ing blow and with that true political sa-
gacity that marks the statesman, is in the
advance of, but not beyond, the true senti-
ment Of the hour. Having periled his
life in the subugation of organized treason,
and having enrolled his name high on the
list of his countrys bravest defenders, it is
to him and his compeers that the nation
now looks for such counsel as marks at
once the soldier in magnanimity and the
statesman in wisdom. And such he gives.
Very truly and faithfully yours,
IS TUOs 8. Fl LARGEST