Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-01-19
~ THE TWO PICTURES.

The diemantled forts and half-destroyed
earth-works about Knoxville serve to re-
mind us that we have had terrible civil
war. These reminders are not TO be found
in every locality, and it sometimes needs
other evidences to recall that fact. Per
sens so situated are not often at loss for
such reminders. They come too frequent
", however, in unpleasant forms. We had
one Yesterday in the telegram from Rich
mond, Virginia, that body of legislators
convened under the protection of Gov
eminent in the capital where the chief
conspiracy against its life was fostered and
executed, had coupled with deliberate
Official endorsement of the crime of their
chief eoonspirator, studied insult to the
memory of the great and noble patriot
whose conspicuous loyalty to his country
in the hour of her greatest peril had done
more to entitle the Mother of States to the
proud title and position she claims in the
all her Lees and hundred spirits combined.
We know that there are thousands of men
who stood closest and tirmest about the
old flag when it was assailed, who are will
ing. so far as wisdom and safety viii per-
nit, to forget the past, but there are some
things which we dare not forget, and such
experiences as the action of the Virginia
Senate prove it. In the first place, we cam
not forget that the rebellion was a
crinac, and its suppression a blessing.
The Lees, who did so much TO support
it were traitors, and the Thomases, who so
nobIy gave up their home and kindred to
aid in suppressing it, were patriots. These
distinctions can necer be forgotten. The
country may forgive the formor SO far as
30 forget their crimes, but they can never,
sleveF forget the latter, or with impunity
suffer their memory TO be thus insulted by
the former
Contemplate, for one moment, the spec
tacle Virginia presents in this shameful
act and consider the deep Indignation with
which its.must fill every patriot heart.
What is it we see? A legislative body of
pardoned statesmen e. assembled in less
than six years after the end of the war. in
the late capital OF the Confederacy, and
Within sight OF the graves of twice ten
thousand fallen patriots, stretching out
pleadingly one hand TO the majesty of the
Government, asking. for gt5lerot amnesty,
while with the other they write upon tn
imperishable records of the State u eulogy
of their fallen leader, coupled with a sting
ing insult to the memory of a brave soldier
vino was oncof ifs most honored defenders,
and over whose new-made grave his CRATE
full countrynen still stand mourning. Is
such a spectacle calculated to inspire q vic
torious people with the spirit of forgive
ness or TO insure to the actors the amnesty
they crave? Nest assuredly not; and
so long as such men are chosen to
represent the people of Virginia or any
other people, or are encouraged by public
sentiment to publicly deliver such defiance
and insult to the loyal people of the United
States, we may not only expect not to find
amnesty graciously accorded, but on the
other hand may expect To find men len
iently ldisposed, persuaded, that less
amnesty and firner laws would be the
wiser policy
Reasonable men do not wonder that Nir
ginians choose to respect the memory of
Lee, or hang his picture on every wall OF
their homes but they have just reason to
feel outraged that this recognition should
take public, official form where its signifi-
canoe and effects are far-reaching and per-
nicious; and doubly SO where such public
recognition goes hand in hand with re-
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