The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-05-06
GrunblerS.

When Lee surrendered, ultraists at the
North-politicians, not soidiers-Were
qaite indignant with Grant by reason ofthe
favorable terms which he conceded d. An
uncon ditional surrender or determination
was all that would have Satisfied these
valiant critics. Any one of these gentle
men would, no doubt, had he been in COM
m and of the army, have crushed Lee much
sooner than Grant had done, and, therefore,
they had a perfect right to criticise, but,
owing perhaps to the stupidity of histor
ians, the affair will not present that ap-
pearance to posterity.
Gov. Nichols finds himself in somewhat
of q similar predicament. He has crashed
Packard and recaptured the State. To
prevent greater evils, and useless ones, he
saw fit to make terms with the enemy, and
the petty clamor which assails him in con-
sequence is stunning in small way. What
Positions for Pinckback, Quinn and Rox-
borough Disgraceful!
To all which we say that these and simi
lar things were probably down on the pro-
gramme of surrender. But, say the back
bone patriots, Nichols was weak to allow
such things to be put in the programme );
he had the game in his own hand and
ought to have given no quarter. Add to
that we again reply Gov. Nichols fought
the fight and won it. His view command
ed the whole field; ours did not. He knew
whether the game was entirely in his own
hand we, the public, did not. He knew
what would be- the conse quences of war to
the knife; not 80 with mere spectators. Then
it was he who must decide upon the neces-
sity of giving terms. He was fighting the
battle and knew the exigencies of the strug-
gle. His sagacity, his firmness, his policy
won our independence, and it is not taking
much on trust to suppose that the conces-
eions which he thought fit to make were
fully warranted.
Let us not finish the subject, however,
without cutting in two the comparison
which we made between the position of ouI
gallant Governor and that of Gen. Grant
9th saw fit to make terms with failing
enemy,-termsw which, perhaps, might have
been made harder without peril. Thus faI
the likeness. But Grant kept his terms with
, Punic faith. He said: there shall be nc
prosecution" and then permitted the most
fragrant persecution he said "let there
} be peace" and then perpetuated the wal
in all save the roar of the battle field.
= Gov. Nichols, on the contrary, bas
kept honest faith so far, and is going
to keep it. The hum of discontinued
mar plots has not prevented him from
, doing what he promised. 1t is doubt.
) less disagreeable to man of his fine sense
of honor to give place and authority to
persons, whether colOred or white, who are
not up to his own standard of fitness, but
with him the general public welfare stands
, higher than the mere administration of any
special office. Gov. Nichols has not con.
suited his own preferences or friendships in
the choice of officials. He has been guided
, simply by the demands of public policy
f His position has been a mOst difficult one
3 offering, as it has done, a choice not between
l excellences but between evils. His was
l not the pleasant opportunity, az in ordin-
airy times, of seeking the greatest good, but
the unhappy necessity of avoiding the
greatest evil. 80,
That be has done it faithfully, honestly,
impartially, unselfishly, is and will be, we
believe, the popular verdict.
|
Rome tries in vain every spring to get up a
salon for art work like those of Paris and