National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-10
What May be Expected Of the Military Con
federste Congressman from the South.
CFor the National Republican


General VIM. Terry, Of wythevflle WAS next
called out, and made telling response, in which
he said that the bitterest cause Of regret to him
failed to do it."-RiehnoHd DfspGteh, October, 'T5
General Terry is the Representative of the
Ninth district of Virginia. Neither his char
acter nor position would lead me to give any
peculiar significance to his utterances; but
because of the manner in which they were re-
ceived by this notable conclave OF Confederate
leaders in the capitol of the State, 1 am
bound 10 accept them as declSratiye of the
dHimus Of his party. He has, perhaps, been
ndiscreet and divulged that which, however
real, would be kept secret by the more wary
and cautious of his party. The sentiment has
neither been condemned nor disavowed by the
press of his party. 1t has passed unchal-
lsnged. 1t doubtless speaks the mind of the
military Confederates in Congress.
What, then, are we to understand by this
''telling response!" 1t shows the spirit with
which a Virginia Congressman enters upon
the discharge of his duties TO the nation,
namely, the "bitterest regret" that he did not
destroy the Government, and the conviction
that he could have done so, but failed to do It.
While in arms, General Terry's idea of his
proves was harmless; but now he is formid-
able in Congress. His vote avails and may
sap anu uIucTUllDc lUe uONcTnuleuI his sworn
could not subyert. Let him aid in making our
currency as worthless as the Confederate; let
him continue the prescription of the Union
men of the South, and by intimidation and
terror overthrow free suffrage at the South;
let him and his leaders restore to the halls of
Congress the braggadocia and bullyism Of his
great prototypes IN rebellion, and he viii have
done more to accomplish his hearts desire
the overthrow Of the Government-than he
could have done ',fdgra,ste beIo." On his
lips is the empty form of the oath to support
the Constitution: in his heart yet shoulders
| the 'bitterest regret" that he had not over
| thrown 1t. IL Is personal matter to him to
| reconcile before his conscience the act with
| the contrary passion; but It Is a matter of
national concern that we should not have
| Congressmeu who are vet the prev 10
| the keenest remorse that they had not sue
| ceeded In their rebellion. Such a spectacle is
| unknown 30 other nations. Their traitors are
| hung, exiled or disfranchised; we are, trying
| the experiment, and hazardous one, 1t seems
| to me, Of allowing them, while their treason
| vet turks in their hearts, tofdirect the policy
and measures of the Government which they
| still decry and hate. Had this ''telling re-
l sponseD been uttered on the floor of Congress,
| how should It have been dealt with At other
| times the brave spirit of loyalty would have
| been revolted by such treason, and been con-
| tent with nothing less than q sentence OF IN
| slant expulsion; but in these days Of mawk-
| ish sentimentality that would confound right
| and wrong, and award equal praise to the
| patriot and the rebel, presume it Is TO be
pardoned to the fashionable spirit OF pacifica-
| ton. But let our public men be warned lest
such trucking, such debasement, such cow
ardly tampering with the interests Of brave
and loyal people, lowerthe standard of loyalty,
degrade the public virtues and leave to pos
| terity no tests of exalted patriotism.
| We have minority only to oppose TO this
| influx of Confederate generals and Confede-
rate leaders in the lower House. May VIC not
expect of them patriotism and q courage
| adequate 10 the occasionl They VIII not be
| long in seeing how shallow are the pretenees