Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-08-09
nusbiIe dalesklp Gbronte aaieonssoap august o. 1871

Ira stranger were to form his opinion
of the Republicans of this country by
reading Democratic papers, he would be
forced to the conclusion that they were
the most intolerant people on the face of
the earth. One would think that they
nurse the recollection ofinjuries or wrongs
forever, and never fail or hesitate TO re-
taliate upon their enemies in the mostun-
scrupulous manner, and upon all occas-
ions. This is the impression Democrats
attempt to create. They keep up an un-
ceasing complaint through the columns of
newspapers, and every Democratic stump
speaker, makes it his principle stock in
trade, to bewail the manifold hardships,
persecut' ons and privations of poor Demo
Gratis. They lay particular stress upon the
condition of Southern Democrats, who,
in their opinion. are deprived of every
thing that is worth living for.
Like the positions assumed by them on
many other questions, this is false. Take
the case of Southern Democrats as an il
lustration, and there is not a parallel in
the history of the world for the lenien-
cy that has been shown them.
The party in inaugurating the rebellion,
was guilty of q crime, the enormity Of
which, it is impossible tp over-estimate.
Under Democratic auspices, a war was
waged for four long years, with the avow-
ed purpose Of breaking up this Govern
thousands of the young men of the coun-
try lost their liVes-thousands of them are
manned for life-while multiplied millions
of the country's treasure was used and de-
stroyed The foundations of society were
upturned, men became demoralized and
crime run riot in the land during that
period.
The Democratic party was guilty of the
preparation of all this wrong, and could
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piieJudiced jurors in the land. What
punishment did their leaders merit?
What punishment did they receive? Was
any one hanged or banishl,ed or imprisoned
for life? Does not their chief, Jefferson
Davis, go over this land free of disabilities
thai impair his personal freedom in the
least ? 10 he trammeled in any way
that prevents him from engaging III any
business yocatian that will enable him
to earn an honest livelihood Why he can
even make speeches in defence of his
forced him to submit to the laws Of
the United States. Does this look
like intolerance? Is there any other gov
eminent on the face of the earth that I'M
der similar circumstances would permit
him to exercise so many privileges? Let
men of reason and intelligence answer for
themselves.
Facts are against such an assertion. Not
withstanding the war has been ended
only six years, the industrial affairs of the
South are in more prosperous condition
than ever before. We have more manu-
factories our fields are being better cult
waited, our internal improvement system
has been improved and our cities have
been built up. Does this show a spirit of
intolerance and oppression on the part of
those whe govern us? Does oppression
and intolerance make a people thrive and
prosper? The charge falls to the ground
in face of the facts. 1t is unsupported by
reason. The Republican party has not
been intolerant, but on the contrary has
been more lenient than any victorious
party has ever been under similar circum-
stances.