Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-06-06
RESTORING THE UNION.

46AS4Ob1NG
Accustomed, as We have been, here in the
South, to hearing ourselves assailed by tho
Northern people, both during the war and
sineethe conclusion of "Peace," with the terms
''rebels, ""traitOrs, '''POlivcal babies aud even
''colc0rds," it is truly refreshing to meet occa-
siOnaily with paper periodical which
even if it do not fully agree with our political
principlcs-has at least the strong sense to
understand that parties may differ and yet be
honest. Such periodicals do more for the re-
establishment of good will aud harmony, than
has ever yet been accomplished by all the
Reconstruction Acts aud Ku-Klux Bills of
Congress, If government really rests upon
the consent of the governed, it is truly as
tonishing that one section of the country
should imagine it possible to kick and cuff
the Other-fully its equal in intelligence and
spirit-and yet preserve the political conncc.
tiOn between them any longer than the in
jured party has the power to dissolve it. Had
the American people, as such, been better in
formed in the constitutional History of their
country, it is moro than probable the slate I'M
Pleasautness" between the two sections would
have been avoided, and a career of future
prosperity would have been presented to the
partnership of Republics truly dazzling 10
contemplate 1t is, therefore, with more than
ordinary pleasure that We have read the Ills
tOTicdi NGgd=iHe, published by HENRY 3.
DAWSON, at NorrisaHig, NJ J. Whatever
may be the Editors private opinions, he seems
at least to have the power to hold his predju.
dices in subsection to his jud smcut for we
have been unable TO detect any disposition TO
PervcEt History for the advancement of party
interests In an able review of an address
delivered by the Hon. CN0s. Francis A4qns,
on Neutrality in America before the Ne,,
York Historical Society, the Editor shows
upon what slender stock of bFains and in-
formation certain Learned" persons will some.
times undertake to write History. The mis-
fortune about it all is, that the audiences, or
readers OF these learned productions are them,
selves so ignorant that the errors are swal-
lowed down, false idea is transmitted 10 DOS.
terity, and History eventually demands blood
and treasure as 4 sacrifice to her iusulted truth.
The South is particularly interested in havip,,
Truth TesurTected from the grave in which
she has been so long buried. Had the war re.
suited IN the full vIndIcation OF the principle
for the establishment of which the South was
compelled to draw her sword, il would be of
comparatively little importance what the world
may think regarding the original merits of
our late difficulty. OF course no one thinks
the less Of Washington and his compatriois
for having been traitors. Success alone re-
deemed their memory from poiiiicdL infamy.
But with US the case is different. U0sLiny-
ton had moral not political right upon his
side. While We had at least the same moral
right our ancestors possessed to establish the
government best adapted to our interests n
study of the constitutional History of the
country will show that we also had the Uolifi-
cal right to Withdraw from the partnership
whenever the terms upon which 1t was en-
tered we're violated. To this extent, our quar-
rel was more just than WAsmNGToX's, With
equal moral, We had superior Joli,icaI right,
aud until the Northern people can gain at
least dim conception Of this idea, the Union,
notwithstanding Ku- Klux Bills, will remain
hoPelessly dissolved. For until they become
sufficiently acquainted with the historical facts
OF the case, TO see that the question upon
which We recently split is at least open to
doubt, 1t is probable they will continue the
insults they have been hcaping upon US ever
since the surrender. We will venture to as
sert that any man of caudour, with ordinary
sense, however strong his precoEceived Opin-
IOuS against Us. SlttuS down with the firm
determination to study imPartiaIy the lis
tory OF the formation of our government, will
rise convinced that those who, in our late war,
contended that the Union was compact be-
tween Sovereign parties-entcred into for the
mutual advantage of each have a much
stronger historical argument than he at first
supposed. With this conviction the idea NAV
dawn upon him that all Southerners are not
tTdtors=that there were pure and noble men
who differed from him, and from a ranttinc,
shouting, kissing Radical, he may become a
calm, patriotic man-determined to do all in
his power, by Cancellation and kindnes, to &C.
ment that union to which he has always pro-
tessed himself so much attached. lie will
then be prepared to take the first step-one
that has never yet been taken-towards bind
ing all sections of the country by bonds more
lndIssoluble than bayoneis can possibly Gre
ate. We hold, therefore, tina, Mr. HENRY Il.
DAWSON, or any other man, North or South.
engaged in the dissemination of historical
truth, Is doing more 20 promote good feeling,
and, consequently, for the re. toratiou Of the
Union, than has ever yet been accomplished
by either SUMNER or the Beast!
EZ The Democratic State Convention, at
its meeting in Cincinnati on ID inst, nomi-
mated as candidates for State officers, Cover
nor, Col. Geo.W. McCook Lieutenant Gov
ernOr, S. +. Hunt, of Hamilton county; at.
co.