The New York herald., 1876-12-19
Admirable Behavior or the Southern
Leaders-Vili President Grant Rec
ognize 1t!

ognize It!
1t can no longer be said that the represen-
tative men Of the South are Bourbons if
that name implies men who ''forget nothing
and learn nothing" No political leaders
ever eyinced better aptitude for profiting
by experience. The wisdom, moderation
and loyalty of the Southern members of Con-
gress and other exponents OF Southern opin-
ion in this critical and exciting conjuncture
ought to be met in q similar spirit by the
President and by all good citizens. We at
tribute this praiseworthy attitude to the
manliness of the Southern character, which
has always scorned trick, subterfuge and
bluster. After President Lincoln's election
they disdained to cripple his administration
by political manHuvres, as they might easily
have done with democratic majority in
both houses of Congress. Instead of this
they withdrew their Senators and
Representatives, reducing tlfeir friends
the democrats, to a minority. and
leaving the republicans in full possessio n
of the government. They could not COM
promise their character for sincerity. Hav-
ing determined to secede they took their
measures boldly and relinquished the adj
vantages they possessed for thwarting Mr..
Lincoln by adverse legislation. AS soon as
their military power was broken by the fall
of Richmond they promptly accepted the
situation. making no attempt to pro-
long the contest by guerilla wnr.
which would have caused the North
great trouble, expense and exhaustion.
After manly fight they made manly sub
mission. Not a sword has been lifted nor
musket discharged against the federal gov
ernment since. Notwithstanding provoca-
tions trying to the temper of freemen.
Their creditable bearing in this crisis is,
therefore. in keeping with the character for
directness and sincerity which they have
maintained throughout our civil troubles.
The fact that the Southern leaders are act
ing with remarkable sense, discretion and
loyalty in the present grave emergency is
solid guarantee that the peace of the coun-
try will not be disturbed even by the count
ing in of President whom they do not be-
lieve to have been fairly elected. Assnredly
there will be no fighting if Southern men do
not countcnance it. The blusterers who are
.nvincible in peace and invisible in
war" belong to the typo who bore
the derisive nickname of 'copperheads"
during the late struggle. The men
who fought on that side were called econ
federates, and they did nothing unbecom-
ing the character Of soldiers, unless it was
by fighting for mistaken cause But even
that mistake deserves some indulgence now
that the contest is over. They had been
nurtured in the State rights doctrine and
were true to their convictions. That doc
trine was a terrible mistake and they paid a
terrible penalty for it. Whatever leniency
of judgment may te proper on that ground
there is no call for leniency on the
score Of military conduct, in which they
need not shrink from comparison even
with the brave soldiers who fought against
them in better cause. They have seen
their error, have frankly abjured it, and are
as true in their allegiance to the Union as
they were to tho confederacy. 1t is a part
of their character to be loyal to any govern
ment whose authority they acknowledge.
the desolation it brings; they would be
Bourbons indeed if experience had not
taught them the stupendous folly Of an ap-
peal to arms to settle political dispute
between citizens of the same country.
Such of the ex-Confederates as have not got
over their fighting propensities, like Mosby
and Shelby would be more ready to- fight to
install Hayes if he should be declared
elected than to prevent his inauguration.
But the cooler, more judicious men Of the
South will not fight at all. Since they dis
countenance fighting there will be none.
This being the real state of the situation
we do not see how President Grant can have
any just ground of alarm. A great soldier
should feel no uneasiness in consequence of
the empty bravado of few vaporing politi-
clans. The obscure rumors of military
organization in Indiana and the belt of
country which nourished "The knights Of
the Golden Circle" should not disturb any,
body. Even when the South was in arms
and the copperheads might have fought
with brave allies they kept at safe dis
tance from gunpowaer President Grant
can afford to despise them now.
1t appears, from an interview with the
President, published in all tho newspapers
week or two ago, that anonymous letters
have been sent to him threatening his life.
This is too common an experience of men in
public stations to be deemed of any impor-
tance. Every head of government is
menaced in this way in exciting times, and
editors of newspapers whenever they stem a
tide of popular passions are in constant re-
ceipt of such m:ssives. So far as we are
aware it is the usual practice to tear them
up or throw them into the fire and think no