The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-07-06
Unification Movement.

AIU We against Btohu hhouCS WV "~~~
none the less openly protest. The true
Southern Press which does not barter in
dependence for bribe, nor sacrifices prin-
ciple to policy, speaks out solidly against
it. They deprecate or they denounce'
And the true people of the South shrink
in adherence from the resolutions and re-
concentrations of the Unifcation Meeting.
We do not 60 one nch hey ond these publish
ed resolutions. The intentions and motives
of the men of the movement We care not
to investigate. Those men themselves
we do not wish to malign, such is not our
habit. Their motives are beyond our
ken and criticism. Their intentions may
be the best and most sincere. But men,
motives aud intentions apart, we regard
solutions we read the last surrender OF
Southern sentiment, idea and tradition.
At the close of the war General Lee, in
face of overwhelming opposition surrender
ed-whatf Honor mo. Manhood
neverf-Principles BY no meansf Right
No. Southern ideas f-never. He simply
surrendered the military forces under his
COHuduus e<All Viz "pAOhAOasS W PNJ S@Sss,
force which General Lee had used against
the United States in defence of cause,
which ON battle. field had become hopeless
of success, he yielded to General Grant.
Muskets, swords, war-torn banners, artil.
lery and all the other material appliances
of war he yielded to the enemy. Nothing
else. 1t was simply physical surrender.
The physical power and policy of resist
ance not the principle of resistance was
given up. When Lees unstained sword
was sheathed the flag of the Great Cause
was furled;-and the Rights, the Ideas,
the Sentiments and the Traditions of the
South retired in honor from the field of
battle,-but, with all their supremacy
preserved, re-entered the souls and con-
sciences of the defeated, to hold their mas.
terry there beyond the reach and range of
Force. At Appomattox Court House the
Southern sword surrendered to the North
ern sword,-Southern physica weakness
yielded to- Northern superior strength
but Southern Idea did not surrender to
Northern Idea. The men that wore the
Gray gave up their muskets but kept
their manhood flung down their swords
but guarded still and nobly preserved
their sentiments up their arms but
kept their souls,-lowered and folded their
banners but held unsurrendered in their
! hearts their traditions bent to might,
but betrayed not one single right. After
the surrender came oppression. We sub
mitted because we could noe resist. Here
and there men began to yield their con-
victions. Weary of waiting for better
times they began to accept the Northern
Idea. Self-interest triumphed in many
hearts over patriotism. Love of place in
some quarters, began to triumph over love
of country. Many fell off from Southern
Faith. Seldom they fell without hearing
words of indignant rebuke.-Their policy
was to better the material and political
condition of their oppressed people by
making concessions to their enemies. Those
enemies they did not know. The more
our people gave, the more was exacted.
Concession did not better their condition
while it streng thened the power and posi-
tion of the oppressor.-That oppressor
wanted our souls,-our consciences. He
wanted the universal triumph of his politi-
zeal Idea. By fraud and force he took
possession of our state Governments. He
arrayed the colored race in bitter hostility
against the whites Of the South. But the
oppressor could not degrade us until he
had followed the Southern Idea, into the
Southern soul and made it surrender,
without condition to the Northern Idea.
The last Presidential election came off.
The Southern politicians selected as their
Standard Bearer, Horace Greeley, who, of
all men, represented and advocated the
Northern Idea.-It was a fearful bluuder
They gave their votes to Greeley-and
were again in the political field, conquered
by Grant.-But beaten as we were phSsi-
cally on the battle plain ,-beaten as we
were again politically,-it was not enough.
Our oppressors wanted more. They
wanted and still want to conquer US in the
very sanctuary of conscience; and to force
us to surrender the very last Idea and SEN