The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-02-01
THE New Departure"


Thus the official organ OF the Admin'stra'
ton fthc Washington Republican, styles Tue
demonstration of General BUTLER, 10 'he
House OF. Representatives on THURSDAY III
support of the bill for paying pensions 10 luz
soldiers Of the war of 1872 In the sonth' II
saws that &c was the most significant event OF
the session, and that Democrats ana hepuo.
lIcans gathered around tho desk OF General
BurLxa and paid him the rare tribute Of
. hearty and generous applause. It says the
manifestation was unlocked for, and that % /,
is fun OF good omen and good cheer to the
"republic."
We trust 90. The Republican declares
tha, tho Republican party has been anxious
for peace and goodwill since the day Of
LEES surrender. But it blames President
JeHSsoS, and blames the South and the ku'
klux. and makes out that the Republicans
were Innocent of the alienation which has
so long existed. 1t says underneath "the
aseeminsly harsh current Of Republican le'
legislation there was spirit OF kindliness
"and charity and love-"
The Republican declares that the demon
stration In the House on Thursday "meaas
"that the North is ready and willing to OK
"tcnd its hand to the South-to clasp hands
"across the bloody chasm." and that ait
"remains to DO seen whether it the South
& will refuse the olive branch which General
"BrriEs offered it amidst the applause oil
"iLc Republican purity Of the country"
To the "poor South" the olive branch
could not be rendered BY more hated hand
than that which offers it; but 1t will be re-
cciYed cordially even from that. The South
never asked unreasonable things, and has not
since the war had justice and equality. In
accepting tho olive branch thus rendered in
bill! which simply pays few old veterans
of the war Of 1S12-cltting OF the pittance
withheld them for several years-they per.
ceive no great stretch of generosity on the
part of her rulers. But she trusts for the
present to those avowals of fraternal feeling
which accompanied the act, and which she
hopes will be followed by solid measures to
sustain them.
We all understand why the rancors Of war
have been cherished by the party in power,
but 1t is needless to argue the point just here.
Nor need we quarrel with the official organ
for its defence Of what 1t is pleased to term
the" seemingly harsh current Of Republican
legislation" We must take what such re-
sponsible oraces say Of the disposition Of the
Republican party, hoping that it is sincere
and Is to be sustained by the spirit and letter
OF future legislation.
The "poor South" can only acquiesce in
whatever they please to do.
Even now there may be IN act Of humanity
performed by the Federal Government that
will make the South grateful. A number OF
southern men linger in northern prisons.
They are dying by inches. One has just
been turned out in dying state TO find bis
way home in the most inclement season
known for years. He struggled to Alexan-
dra, where he was found few evenings
since fallen in the snow and bleeding from
the lungs. That is something to arouse pity
In every heart, and something that should
reach the very Executive chair of the Fede-
raj Government Extend the olive branch
TO these poor creatures In Federal prisons.
FROM thence il will spread its leaves with
the lishtning's flash over the whole Union,