The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-09
aPEAcE. DE STILL


md in humble imitation of that divine
command we would wish to hear the same
words repeated now, that the coming
torn in the South might be quelled
re it RACES beyond control. President
Grant and Congress have the power to
peak peace to this troubled land and we
appeal to them in the name of patriotism,
and fraternity not to withhold
their voices. 1t is time that the country
had real peace, and not q mere counterfeit
and sham. Let US, who were and are OF
the North, say, in earnest and in all hon.
esty, TO the people Of the South, " Let |
here be an end to strife between thee and |
me, my brother" Let us endeavor to bury
all recollection of past differences, and
determine TO live together again in the same
friendly and fraternal relations which mark
ed our intercourse in the early days of the
Republic. 1t can be done. There is no
lasting cause for anger or resentment
no wrong to avenge on either side that can
not be atoned for, or forgiven and forgot
ten. The war has been long over, and the
people yearn for those blessings which
were promised when peace should come
but which have hitherto, in a measure, been
withheld fromsthem, we. mean the bles-
sings that restored friendship must bring
with it. Is it not time that we put an
end to this childish game, of name-calling
and mouth making, and acted like sensible
men and women? Can we not cease to
pretend to hate one another,--to play the
make believe game, by which we even try
to deceive ourselves into thinking that we
really are enemies, when we know full
well that there is no malice in our hearts
We can not even convince ourselves much
less one another that there is any hatred
existing between the people OF the North
and the people of the South, try we never
so much. II is after all but lover'squar-
rel and both are anxious to make it up,
and yet both pretend to the utmost indif-
ference. We think President Grant can
bring these old lovers together again.
aud if be will but use his influence to eff
feet the reconciliation, the reunion will be
perfected, and the victory be will thus
have achieved in peace will far outshine
the lustre of all his deeds in war.
But then he cannot effect it without our
full and hearty cooperation. We must
all assist him in the good work, and our
first duty is to make a truce whereby we
shall agree to refrain from all irritating
acts towards one another which call for
retaliation, and keep open wordy war of
elimination and recrmination, that make,
or widen, divisions among us. Let us
mutually bear and forbear, and turn away
wrath by soft answers and gentle deport-
ment. In the true christian spirit, and for
the sake of our country and of peace, let
us turn the left cheek to our Anniversaries
when smitten on the right, for by that
great act of self-denial we shall conquer
though the name of our foes were legion.
We may do this fguratively for our country
without loss of selt-respect, even though
we might not willingly submit to it per-
sonally if applied in mere literal and
striking sense.
There has been much to blame Oh both
sides. The people have 'longed to come
together, but meddling Observation-Disclosures,
sordid money changers, and ambitious,
self-seeking knaves, have kept them apart
that their own base and selfish ends might
be reached by constantly inficting new or
irritating old wounds, stirring up and in
flaming the worst passions, and reviying
dying prejadices. 1t is time that this con-
dition of things should have an end and
we trust in tho wisdom, and moderation,
and kindly disposition of the ruling au-
thorities in tie nation to hasten their ter
mination, and quicken the dawn of a
happier era for our common country.
Let us, as soon as possible, erase from
our daily vocabulary such obsolescent
words as " loyal and disloyal, rebel
Radical and Copperhead," +" scala
wag' and carpet-bagger )" and if we
must have Distinguishing party titles,
why let them be stingless, harmless, re-
spectful and, above all, indicative of
something that it is worthy of the country
in which we live, and of the era
for whose good or evil report his
tory will hold us accountable. In
induging this malicious and spiteful GUS
tom of stigmatizing our political adver-
saries by epithets which are held by many
to be degrading we lower the character OF
our politics and bring our institutions into
contempt at home, while we make the
government the laughing stock of the
world abroad.
A stop must be put to all this and we
must learn to address one another respect
fully, both in our political discussions and
in our daily associations, no matter what
the opinions of each may be, or how
vigorously he may enforce them by his
sneecb. If we do this and use every effort
to cultivate a kindly feeling it will not be
1ono before we shall read of the last