The Cecil Whig., 1874-06-06
NEMESIS.


Mortified at our reflections, on the train of
evils which have fallen on the late rebel
States, whose poisonous roots were planted
in the war which their leading men inaugu-
rated. We have not forgotten any chapter
of that horrible history as that paper feigns
to suppose. The technicalities attempted
by The Demo crdt, in saying "the war was
to put dolcn insurrectton in these States, -
is foolishness in the face of its history. 1t
was to put down everything in those States
that was found opposing the Government
of the United States. 1t found strong,
well-organized Governments there, with all
the machinery of Courts and taxation, both
internal and system of duty on imports.
And among the acts of sovereignty which
was exercised by these gentle insurgents
was the confiscation of all property they
could find belonging to persons who took
sides with, Or claimed allegiance to the
United States Government, and the execu-
tion or banishment of them as traitors
Was it a measure of wise craftsmanship or
retaliation in these Southern statesmen,
who have always been so admired by The
Democrat, to resort to confiscation? Their
policy and wisdom have always been ap-
proved by that organ, and it cannot with a
good grace condemn the same policy if it
had been adopted by the Federal Govern
ment. But these questions are bootless
now. The time for their consideration is
past, we trust never to return.
Confiscation was not the policy adopted
by the Government, and what its results
would have been we will never know. But
the point we made is that it could not have
resulted more disasterous to the aristocracy
of the South who organized the Rebellion,
than the consequence of what was intended
to be more humane measure. And that
the condition of the late revolted State
under the latter policy is SO deporable is
mainly owing to the position taken by the
class devoted to the Rebellion, after the
defeat of their armies.
1t is wholly useless to attempt, at this
day, to deny that the malice of the South
ern people, and their utter unfriendliness
toward every Northern man who settled in
that country, and did not knuckle to their
opinions and prejudices, drove out nearly
all who attempted to make home there.
and prevented others from going into the
country. That this is entirely true, no
candid man with ordinary intelligence
denies; none in fact, but such apologists of
the whole catalogue of Secession Rebellion
and Secession Grimes, as The Democrat and
its clan have always been. The report of
the Ku-Ksu1 investigations and trials is
conclusive evidence of the truth of our
charges; record we rather think will sue
cessfully contest the question of veracity
with The Cecil Democrat in all future time.
But it is useless to speculate over a result
which the wisest and most far-seeing states
men of the South foresaw and predicted in
case of the failure of the Rebellion. Alex
ander H. Stephens predicted it all in one
of the most prophetic speeches ever deliv-
cred. So did Juda P. Benjamin, and
others. Their only hope was in the sue
cess of the Rebellion. With its failure
they knew slavery must fall, and the leaders
fully expected the jibbet and contiscation.
That was the lesson of history.
The war bankrupted the South, by using
up all its available resources. Emancipa-
tion disorganized its labor; and the naughty
reception Northern people encountered who
attempted to make the country future
home, kept them away. The Government
having emancipated the slaves was bound
to protect them in their freedom.
These questions all admit of endless dis
cussion which profits nothing. 1t is very
easy to find fault. with the reconstruction
measures Of the Government. That results
were not more desirable is mainly owing to
the sullen attitude taken by the more intel
ligent class, who had been identified with
the Rebellion. But let the Government
adopt whatever course or measure it might,
a dispassionate, philosophical view of the
subject, will reach about the same result.
1t is the consequence predicted in case of
failure by the wisest men who engaged in
the terrible game for empire. 1t is the
avenging Nemesis which always pursues
such crimes as make up the dark catalogue
of the Rebellion; and for the perpetration
of which the ablest men enlisted in that
cause, have never put on record single
justifable reason. 1t all grew out of pride
and personal ambition, begot of the
naughty institution of slavery!
New Secretary OF the Treasury.
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