Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-01-21

there can be no question among fairmind-
cd men that the charges of Mr.. Blaine have
been substantially confirmed. Mr.. Gar
fields speech has been unanswered and 1t
is unansworable. The one-sided state
ments and the outrageous lhissta.ements
OF Mr.. Hill of Georgia have been met at
every point by citations from authentic
documents anl-with regard to the treat
ment Of Confederate prisoners at the North
by the explicit testimony of Democratic
Representatives on tho floor. The general
impression OF the country hitherto on this
subject, then, has been fully substantiated,
and thOre is no probability that JEFF Davis
will go down in history relieved from the
stain of a cruelty which will dishonor him
even moro than his treason.
As TO whether JEFF Davis be made to
stand SOLITARY and alone" in his infamy,
as the sole embodiment of the sins of the
confederacy, while his equally guilty asso-
ciates are allowed the benefits Of the am
nesty act, is a point upon which there will
be an honest difference of opinion. If JEFF
Davis intended to spend the rest of his days
out of the country, or in retirement, the re-
moval of his political disabilities would be
matter of comparatively little conse-
quence. But once relieve him ofthese dis
abilities, and he would very soon be sent
back TO the Senate again. We do not be-
lieve that the people of the United States
are quite prepared to see the eX-prcsident
of the confederacy charged with authority
to assist in making the laws Of the nation
which he labored for years TO destroy.
Even magnaninity may be pushed too far.
For our own part, we have never ceased to
regret that treason was not "made odious'
on the downfall of the rebellion, in way
which would have effectually forestalled
this discussion of amnesty rs far as re-
CARDS Davis and the other rebel leaders
But why this unseemly haste 10 effect a
so-called reconciliation by offering amnesty
TO these men who sought TO ruin the coun-
try, and would do IL now If they had the
power? What good result will follow the
removal OF the political disabilities under
which they now rest? How will the coun-
try be profited thereby? What will be
their influence, and how oxerted2 An
answer TO these interrogatories may be
found in the character ofour present House
of Representatives and in the tone of the
speeches emanating from the Democratic
side of the house during the recent debate.
The fact is, this "gush" of reconciliation
which the independent and Democratic
press have made so much effort to devel-
op has been rather overdone. We doubt
not that the intelligent, industrious classes,
north and south, are heartily in favor Of a
thorough and complete reconciliation, but
to effect such a reconciliation it is not ne
cessary that the past be entirely blotted
out. That cannot be done. A reconcilia.
ton, to be genuine and substantial, must
not be forced. 1t must be the work Of
time-the result better mountaineering,
of closer business and social relations, and
of that strongest of all motives, self-inter-
est. 1t can never be effected so long as our
NJ embers of Congress cannot frankly talk
over whatever points of difference rise in
the course of legislation. Harmony which
is based on concealment, and is kept up at
the expense of candor, can never be endur-
ing. All that can be asked of Congress
men is that they shall not go out of the
way 10 reopen old sores, or reck lessly in =
woke the old spirit of hostility; but not
until the South shall have disowned and
repudiated her old leaders of the Ben Hill
stamp, and cultivated proper fraternal
regard and respect for the people of the
North, will reconciliation have become
complete.