Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-10-14
o MAeNANIMOUs.

At the close of the war three or four
hundred Southerners filled with chagr'n
and modification at defeat and perhaps
doubtful as to the status they would be
assigned under the government, lett the
country and found their way to Brazil
where many attractions seemed to Invite
them. Very few succeeded or we're sat
is6ed, and from time to time, as they
were able, they have returned. In 1871
the government gave them free passage
on board of naval vessels, and twenty
four of them returned to New York that
rear. A few still remaining are to be
brought home shortly in the United
States steamer Swatora, which will be
dispatched for that purpose, aud land
them at Port Royal, S. c. Some of the
Radical journals North have seized upon
the occasion to deliver a homily upon
the %msgnanimity OF the government in
thus sending for those who fed the coun-
try in a time Of excitement and uncer-
tainty, and ~characterizs it as a great
act Of mercy on the part Of the govern
ment aud n more charge brought on the
peoule of the United States by the re-
belIion." To this we would reply that
the act is com~mendable, but at the same
time the /" government" derives its reve'
nues from all the people, and that the
South has been guaranteed, from the
time of Lincoln's inaugural down, COM
mon rights in tbs Union. The party in
power has attempted to wipe out State
lines and concentrate power in the enc
central government. These absentees
have certainly as much right to our con-
alteration as foreigners. Iii the policy
and theory of this country to invite i'm
migration, and the kindness extended to
these people is nothing more than would
be accorded to that many isolated
Swedes, Norwegians, Russians, Poles,
Frenchmen, Irishmen, Germans or Span
iArds who might elect to come to this
country il a body. The navy has been
often employed for worse purposes. 1t
lies idle and comparatively useless any
how. 1t dare not encounter the navy Of
even o fourth-rate power like Spain,
as was fully demonstrated just after the
Virginius affair. No respectable power
on earth fears the United States navy. 1t
was repulsed by the wild Coreans, and
murdered American citizens are vet IN
avenged. Il has been degraded by q
departure from the ussges Of powerful
nations. The vessels are used as pleas
ure yachts to carry the pets Of the gov
eminent on fishing excursions and
jaunts for amusement. Contrary to all
usage and Law, the families Of naval Off
GERS and even females Of doubtful cbarac-
ter have been domieiled on board men
of-war, and this. very day are draw.
iHg %raiions and occupying hunks
10 the vessels Of the American squadron
abroad, to the Disgrace Of our flag. No
other nation on earth, with a navy big
ger than a feet of daiboats, tolerstes
such q thing This costs orr govern
msnt. according 10 q late estimate,
$l2O, 900 a year, anG this is an item in DO
wise chargeable to the rebellion. Cors
sidering all the facts in the premises, We
do not SIC the " msgusnimity" nor the
mercy Of the government in sending
a vessel already manned and in the ser
vice for q few dozen unfortunate men,
wImen and children Of orr own blood
and race who ind themselves In distress
in a foreign land The cost Of what they
will eat and the extra fuel they will cause
burned would not pay Grants double
salary a single month. If the Govern
ment" is separate and Independent
institution belonging to the Republican
party North, and deriving none OF it's
just powers from the governed, then lst
us know it at once and have less talk
about equality before the Law and the soy
ereignty of the ~law-abiding American
citizen. Are we reconstructed loyal
rebels merely invited guests doing
chores for u board, or are we restored
to the full rights Of citizenship in q
Union from which, it is argued, we never
could or did withdraw