National Republican., 1875-07-31
A TEXT FOB THE HERo.woRsHIpERs

But of all the preposterous notions ever
uttered none Is more ridiculous than that which
holds the Southern leaders responsible for the
civil war. 1t would be as just to hold the
spray and foam on the mountain wave respon-
sible for the enormous forces that hurl the
ocean towards the sky and cover the shores
with the wrecks of nations. The war had
been brewing from the time the Constitution
was formed.-Lynehburg Netrs.
"Under the ribs Of" that "death, given
to Southern arrogance by one blow from
the conquering hand of the North, there
still beats the soul of treason. People SO
boastful of their prowess, and yet so re.
Gently humbled to the very dust people
SO stepped in political crime, and yet so
mercifully pardoned people so ardent in
claiming superiority of blood, and yet so
poor in what constitutes the glory and
grandeur of the nation, would do well to
apply themselves to the lessons of history
and wisdom. Whether or not it was sound
policy, the great heart of the North for
gave en- masss the South which rose en-
masss in rebellion against the Government
of the United States. The cost of the
Southern sin was not counted, and appre-
citation Of its magnitude and hateful char
scter was forgotten. So exalted was the
spirit of forgiveness, so universal the SEN
timent of charity toward disgraced and
beaten foe, that Justice hung her head for
shame, and Wisdom, adorned with cap and
bells, was cast in the role of the fool. Ten
years have passed since the prince of
American traitors witnessed the death of
the rebellion over which he presided, and,
with the exception of brief arrest, he has
been at perfect liberty to do and say what
he pleased, and with forbearance so sim
gular that the history of nations does not
furnish its parallel; aye, more than this,
he has been allowed, as an arch apostate
from American liberty, to receive the hon.
age Of traitors coequsl in villainous dispo-
sition with himself if not in ability to exc
cute. As the chosen head of dishonor and
perjury, he is the fit hero for the wors hip
of a section which will not cease inviting
the patriot party of the land 10 turn it over
its knee again.
The assertion of the Neus that the South
ern leaders are not responsible for the civil
war is little too insipid for consideration,
unless the idea of human agency in bring
ing it about is ignored. History now, and
history forever, will place the responsibility
on the South, and for that matter it has
been popularity supposed that the South
had sn especial pride in that achievement
and would not divide the honor with any
one. General Preston certainly claimed it
all in his crazy harangue before the Uni.
versity of Virginia, and, on reflection, we
think the Neus will not care to make an
apportionment. The honor of o stu
pendous effort to.-break up the Union of
the States and to destroy the nationality of
America is the legal inheritance of the
South, and no generous patriot will make
the slightest attempt to rob 1t. When the
Neaos says that "the war has been brewing
from the time the Constitution was formed
It tells the truth, 80 far as the South is con-
cerned. Secession was not q new idea in
1861. Southern orators and Southern
newspapers had been full of 1t for years,
and all the wisdom of Southern statesman
ship was concentrated in the invention Of
pretexts to justify it. Self.love and self.
glorffcation. and not love for the Union
and reverence for the Government estsb-
hshed In the beginning. has prevailed at the
10 18th, and eYen now, with all the dire