National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-20


scourings and sloughcd-of putridity of the
Republican party.
TREASON REVIVED.
We have had frequent occasion TO call at
tcntion to the unfair and partisan spirit
which pervades the Associated Press dis
patches from the South, and especially from
Virginia; but now VIC have reason to con-
graduate ourselves that the blind political
bias which inspires them has given us an I'M
usually full report Of the proceedings Of the
Southern Historical Convention which met
at the Montgomery White sulphur Springs
this week. II the reporter had not been car
ried away by this bias he would not have
made the political blundcr Of telegraphing so
full the reasonable speech Of President
Davis. Any reasonable man, who earnestly
desires reconciliation between the North and
South, will agree with us that the speech
was not only ill-timed, but reasonable, and
that Its publication was serious blunder.
We might have forgiven and overlooked the
utteranccs contained therein as the senti-
ments Of q soured and disappointed political
leader; but the reporter gratultously informs
US that the speaker was frequently applauded.
This information assures US that his hearers
approved those utterances, and we naturally
seek further information regarding his audi
cnce. Looking at the list Of members OF the
association In attendance we find an array OF
names which involuntarily suggests the idea
that the Southern Confederacy had been
revived under more transparent disguise
than the nickname OF Cousin Sally Ann.
Here they are:
.vlrginla-Gen. Heryey Heth, Gen. Dibley II.
Maury, Gov. John Letcher, Gen. fitzhugh Lee,
Gen. Eppa Hunton, NJ. y. elest; Gen. Thomts r
Munford, Col. RobtTt v. wltaer,, convention
candidate for Lieutenant Governor; Gen. WIN.
Gen. X. d. Lilley, Rev. DR.. Jabez l.. N. Curry,
Rev. j. W. Jones, formerly army chaplain; Cot
Cnas. 3. Weneble, Col. John A. Sloan, Gen. W
X. Terry, Of Bedford; Col. wm. Preston Johns
ton, Col. Robert Preston, Capt. J. W. g. Davis,
Col. y. II. Farrar. Gen. Beverly II. Robertson.
o. Herbert, Capt Chas. Z; Trenncf, W. 4. Bel,
Gen. q. N. Wilcox, Capt. Chss A. Conrad, Geo
d. Frost, II. y. T. BealGsgLri.
Tenuessee-C'eneral W. 7. G. Humes, A. W.
Campbell, the Rev. J. II. Bryson, W. A. Collier,
Samuel MoOrenelh, col. Polk Johnson.
Alabaina-Raphael Semmes, Col. Roy, Col. q
A. Henry, IT,; Capt. Z. T. Taylor.
Texas coI: 4: W; spraighf, MalorF. C. Hume,
South Carollna-Gen. NJ. c. Batter, Major C.
Mlssissippl-Ge W. T. Martin.
aeorgia-Judge ID. A. vinson, Major John A.
West.
North Carona-Hon. r. II. Smith.
Kentucky-Col. WIN. Preston Johnston.
Maryland-H. c. TruInbull.
Jubal Early, made famous by Phil Sheridan
rs whirling fugitive, delivered an address
denying ''that everything had been submitted
by the Southern people to flic arbltramcnt OF
the sword" Forgctful Of his arbitration with
Sheridan for the control OF the Valley, he
claimed that the Confederate forces were In
yariably outnumbered In the battles OF the
late war. In this bold assertion he was GER
tainly more than twenty miles away from
the truth. But the climax OF reasonable
prejudice and unrepeptant belief In tho re-
bellion was reached when admiral" Scmmes,
chairman Of the committee Of reception, en-
tered the hall, escorting jefferson Davis.
Admiral Semmes said; "Mr. President, have
the honor to present to you and the gentle
men Of the convention Mr.. Jefferson Davis,
our esteemed president of the late Confed-
crate States"
We pause here to explain that the Asso-
ciated Press reporter overlooked this ex-
Iulsite morsel of an introduction, and that
we are indebted to the ubiquitous New York
Herald for It, as well as for the statement
that Davis was "receiycd by the audience
standing, and with prolonged applause"
Governor Letcher, president OF the conven-
ton, exercised better taste In presenting the
distinguished guest of the occasion to the
audience, and satisfied himself by ssluting
him as "Mr. Davis"
Confessing dlstrust in himself which has
been entertained for years by those who
know him best, Davis proceeded to declare
that the South was cheated rather than
conquered" In the war, and to quote from
letter addressed to him by q Massachusetts,
Yankee" Us follows
81 owe you q debt OF gratitude for maintaining
those principles OF constitutional liberty that tn
safety OF the country depend, upon, and which
would nave been lost sight OF but for your strug.
gla"
Not forgctful Of the debt OF gratitude
which he owes to the habilments, at least, Of
the sex, he then turned to the ladies present,
saying:
'In you was my greatest hope for the future OF
our country. ! have never seen lnthern wo.
man who hnl been reconstructed. The men OF
this day may yield the principles for which they
contended, but the children who succeed will
cherish and perpetuate them"
In the face OF all this the Associated Press
reporter has the hardhood to telegraph that
"Mr Davis remarks contained no sentiment
of hostility to the Federal Government"
We do not wish to be understood as declar-
Ing any opposition to the objects Of this
Southern Historical Convention. We believe
that with moderate couusels prevailing In lite
deliberations, and with desire to seek the
truth, regardless OF sectional pride or inter
est, II would result In the correction Of many
historical NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. But when its
meetings are devoted to glorihcaton Of the
heroes OF n bad aud defeated cause, and when
the chief traitor Of them all Is applauded In
the utterancc OF the basest treason, we declare
that Its Influence is crimlnally pcrnicious.
Nothing has occurred since the close Of the
war which will 20 80 far to retard the growth
Of good feeling between the North and South,
and to give the most malignant Radicals Of
the North new lease Of power In the land,
~ this unfortunate demonstration Of the ex-
istence Of uncrushed treason among tho
uuner leaders Of southern opinion. The hope
Npressed by Davis, that Southern children