The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-04-05
The New EvanSel.

Who was it that said that the old ballad
OF Chevy Chase stirred his heart like q
trumpet? 1t is not now question OF mar
tial verse or resounding rhyme; only OF the
few generous words spoken by a Charleston
gentleman, standing face to face with poet
and statesman, tit representatives OF the
thought and sentiment, the native intelli-
gence and ripe culture, OF our common
country. Yet those few words stir the
heart, quicken the pulse, and who shall
doubt that they touched to the quick both
Northern men and Southern men who heard
them.
It has been our unfortunate habit In this
Southern country, since the war, to 60 too
far or not far enough. Where others would
give the shadow and deny the substance,
South Carolina has acknowledged the &C.
complished fact and denied the logical and
inevitable sequence. Aud the reason is
plain. The people, conscious Of their hon
esty of purpose, were unwilling to expose
themselves .uew to the taunt that they we're
talking and writing for effect. Having
within them the abiding conviction that the
changes in the organic law growing out OF
the Confederate struggle demand the obe-
dience of every good citizen, the people OF
South Carolina were not ready to lay them
selves open to the charge that they were
playing a deep game Of dissimulation,
which the morrow should disclose. Ayel
we were tired Of it, and the reason is
given by Governor Porter in the brief ad-
dress which We print to-day.
The cause was lost, not the honor OF the
South; the men who honestly and bravely
fought out these fights can afford to look
each other straight in the face, strike hands
and be friends again. These are the key
notes OF tae address. We can afford to look
man or angel squarely in the face. We can
afford to clasp hands, whatever the chasm
which yswns between. But We insist that
the generosity and forbearance shall not be
all on one side. In return for renewed
loyalty and reunion Of thought and pur-
pose, we ask that the Southern people be
treated as American citizens; that there be
no distinction OF North or South unoer the
shadow OF the flag. It is demanded OF us
that, like strong me1, we bow TO the inevi-
table; it should not be expected that We
defle ourselves or brand ourselves with the
Ioul name OF traitor. That credit for sln"
cerity and devotion which the South gives
The North, that conquering North must give
The conquered South. 1t was said In the
past that the South, more than the North,
vas led by politicians. However this may
lave been, it Is certain that now the South
,rn people speak words OF peace and good
Rill-that they pass over the demagogue,
whether his home be beyond the Potomac or
not, and ask OF their fellow. countrymen, the
Union over, that the outstretched hands be
Joined together, and that no barrier be
thrown up against those whose one aim Is
To mend their shattered fortunes and be at
rest.
This has been the argument and plea of
his paper these many days, and We vel.
come the remarks Of Governor Porter as an
ardent effort in the same good cause. That
eloquent speaker is no new convert to the
doctrine he breaches 80 well; but it is pleas
ant to know that his words we're uttered to
Northern as well as Southern ears, and that
they commanded the hearty approval OF
every good citizen who heard them.