The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-03-13
Branded.

The Democratic Senators in WASH
ingtOn have now recorded themsel-
yes frankly in favor Of repeating the
statute which disqualifies an persons
who belonged to the military, naval, ,
of civil service of the Confederacy
from appointment in the United
States Army. The ordinary way to
a commission in the Army lies thro'
West Point, and as nobody who is
young enough to enter that school
can be old enough TO have served in
the rebellion, there is now no OBJ
stacle to the admission OF Southern
cadets, on precisely the same terms
as others, But this does not satisfy
the Democratic party. They will not
oe content until all the barriers have
been removed to the reappointment
of the officers who deserted their flag
in 1861, fought against it as long as
they could, and now find themselves
out of employment in consequence
of the failure of their treason. Mr..
Thurman complains that the disqual-
ification of these persons fixes a
"brand" upon them, and he thinks
1t is a manifestation of "hatred" to
insist upon leaving it there.
We are well content that the case
should be submitted to the people
upon just this statement of the facts.
There is no animosity whatever in
the North against the ex Confederate
soldiers. On the contrary, they are
regarded with a kindness which is
apt to be somewhat effusive. But
with all our good will, and even res
pect, for these gentlemen personally,
we cannot reapp0int them to cem-
mands in our Army without gross
wrong to the loyal soldiers who have
a prior claim, and still greater wrong
to the Nation which has once already
been brought to the brink of destruc-
tion by their delinquency at a critical
moment. There cannot be during
this generation vacant place in the
United States Army to which some
loyal veteran will not have earned a
right ty faithful service. There are
thousands of good men who sacrific,
ed fair prospects to enter the Union
Army, and have never recovered the
ground they lost in business while
they were fighting for their country.
Whenever there are commissions to
give away, these are the first persons
to be considered. The appointments
that can justly be made from civil
life are in any case but few, for pro-
motion in our servIcee is slow, and
the faithful officers who have grown
gray awaiting for a vacancy are en-
titled to the advance when the chance
comes. When we do STEP outside
the service for candidate, let him
be one who has fought for the Union,
not against it.
But apart from all personal consid-
ations, it would be criminal to forget
that in 1861. when the Nation wanted
the services of these gentlemen whom
it is now proposed to intrust with
the National defence, they turned
their swords against it. Admitting
all that is urged in their behalf-the
sense of obligation to their States,
the pressure of public opinion, etc.,
etc.--the fact remains that they en-
tertained view of their duty quite
inconsistent with the fidelity of a
soldier to his flag, and there is no
reason for supposing that under sim
liar circumstances they would not
follow the same course again. The
South assures us. indeed, that the ex-
pertinent of secession will not be re.
peated; but the doctrine of State
sovereignty, in which secession began,
survives in all its original strength,
and the old Confederates hold the
same principles to-day upon which
Twiggs justified his treaehery and
Lee his desertion. There are many
at the South who confess that seees-
sion was a mistake and slavery a
curse. but you will not find a Confed-
crate soldier in all the land who does
not honor the Lost Cause, and believe
that he did his duty in flgnting for it.
Mr.. Thurman is right in saying
that the Northern people wish Ito
bury the hatred of the war" But