Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-08-09
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.uE.s.NS.

Decentralization and "reform" arc the
watchwords by which the "outs' who have
united in support of the Greeley ticket are
endeavoring TO win the cars and hearts of
the loyal people of the North. They are
excellent watchwords, and did we believe
them indicative of a genuine and hearty
purpose to inaugurate needed measures of
reform, and bring about that feeling of con-
tidence and fraternity which ought to be cul-
tivated between the two sections Of the Union
so lately in hostile array, the movement
would he entitled, at least, to our sympa-
thy. But unfortunately for those who
hope to gain by the success of these candi-
dates, the nsincerity OF their cry for ''re-
FORM" and the falsity of the charges upon
which il is based and of their own assumed
virtue, are only too manifest TO need ex-
posture, and few will be deceived thereby.
1t is our purpose now TO consider what is
meant by this cry of RECONCILIATION"
which comes from the northern tools of the
old secession element, and finds echo from
the lips of Charles Sumner. What does II
mean? To the old leaders of the secession
movement ii means a restoration TO power !;
and to their supporters 1t means the PEN
soning of rebel soldiers and the payment
of Southern claims for losses in conse-
Qucnce OF the war. Docs any body doubt
this? None but those who engaged in Sc
cession are in need of reconciliation, and
there is no other way by which these can
be reconciled. The general amnesty bill
has passed il has received the approval of
General Grant il is upon the statute book
aud is a law of the land. BY ii all DISABLE
tiles are removed except from such persons
as jefferson Davis and few others like
him and the only motive for asking par
don for them is that they may be restored
to position and power-at least such would
inevitably be the result. Here is what Mr..
Davis said in a speech at the south little
more than year ago, seemingly in antici-
patton of this present movement:
"'We know our rights-know that they
are invaded and then wait patiently until
ace see them diUided and at issue WiN them
SeiUeS and then JOIN THE PARTY AND sup
PORT THE CANDIDATE AND THE PLATFORM
that promises a restoration of constitutional
liberty. 1t is then that you iCW hold the
balance of political pODer in your onn
hands, and il Is then that all your rights
will once more be restored and guaran-
teed!n
Are the people of the North prepared TO
welcome this result? And what evidence
have we that the restoration of the Demo-
cratic party to power through the aid OF
the Liberal Republican movement, will
not be followed by a demand for indenni-
fication by the Southern people for losses
| sustai II ed in the war, and the pensioning o.
| the rebel soldiersr There Is nothing in tn,
| platform adopted at Cincinnati and Balti
more TO indicate that the. claims are to b,
yielded. The ninth resolution reads:
1--WE remember with gratitude the hero
ism and sacrifices of the soldiers and sail
ors of the republic. No act of ours shall
ever detract from their justly earned fame
or the full rewards of their patriotism"
Of course the general phrase, "soldier
and sailors of the republic" may be inter
preted to mean those of either the fedora
or rebel government, and the Language
was so intended. Mr.. Greeley is openl,
charged with having expressed himself il
favor of allowing pensions TO the disabled
soldiers of the South, and the charge, w
believe, has never been satisfactorily de
MED. At all events, no one can doubt tina
should the Democrats again obtain posses
sion of the government, such an act would
be passed at the demand of southern trai
treasury be handed over to their rapaciou
keeping.
| And this Is "reconciliation"!