New-York tribune., 1886-05-09
,JEFFER.SGN D1TTS.

The Sun enters protest against the manner
in which Jefferson Divis's recent appearances
and speeches have been received fy large por
ton of the Northern press. 1t halls with pro-
found satisfaction the fact that the leader of the
defeated in the greatest of civil wars is free to
speak among his own people. 1t considers him
entitled to hearing because of the overthrow
OF secession, and expresses respect for the
purity of his character, the spOdess record OF
his personal history, and his ability and sim
cerity. 1t rejOices that no prohibitions are inn
posed upon the Southern leaders against de-
batting the issues of the var, enarges upon the
fact that no vengeance was taken by the VIC
torious North, and forecasts an increase of
affection for the Union as the outcome of un-
restricted free speech South as well as North
Our neghbor will pardon us if we cannot
agree unreservedly with this Judgment. We
readily concede that there has been nothing in
history so sublime as the magnanimlty in trl-
umph which the victorious North displayed at
the close of the war. Mr.. Gladstone in his ap-
preciatve article on Kin Across the Sea"
could scarcely command language in which to
express his admiration of the generosity and
wisdom of the North in dealing with the South,
in dsbanding the great army almost immedl-
ately, in restoring to the seeding States the
privileges of self government, and in rcfraining
from retaiatory or vindictive measures which
would have prevented reconciliation of the
two sections. Yes, the country was profoundly
wise in its magnanimty, and the American
people are to be congratulated on the pacifca-
ton that has resulted from the adoption OF the
Golden Rule rather than the Ler taliOniS as the
basis of settlement with treason and rebellion.
But if the country was wise twenty years ago
and is indulgent and tolerant now, treason and
rebellion ought to be as OdiOus now as they
were tnen, and there is no reason for hailing
with satisfaction the appearance of the arch
traitor and rebel in the South, when he goes
from city to city preaching anew Calhoun's
doctrine of secession and notification, reviving
the memories and passions of the war, aud
waving the Confederate flag. If the Northern
press finds it necessary to rebuke this vain
glorious leader Of rebellion, who persistently
interfered with the military counsels of the
really great soldiers in command of the South
ern armies, and wds finally taken prisoner under
pusillanimOus circumstances, we fail to per-
ceive that any remOnstrance against that re-
buke is required in this latitude.
The South offered heroic resistance to superior
numbers and resources; its generals were
brilliant and accomplished soldiers; its armies
were recruited with the bravest of brave men
but the Southern cause was one of the worst for
which noble lives were ever squandered and
chivalrous sacrifices made. Sturdy John
Bright, who has not been able to sanction
single war waged by England during his life
time, has repeatedly declared that the war for
the Union was righteous wal, and the slave
holders rebellion an unholy, wicked cause.
When the political leader of the rebellous
States makes a species of triumphal progress
from Mississippi to Georgia he stands for that
unhallOwed cause. When he not ouy fights
over The old battles, but reargues the political
questions settled by the supreme arbitrament
of battle he faunts the OdOus flag of dis
loyalty and negro slavery in the faces of loyal
freemen of the North. He does not merit any
compliments North or South upon the purity of
his motives and the spolessness of his personal
character. He deserves only the stern reproba-
tiOn of all Americans for making frantic ap-
peals to excitable audiences which tend TO
impair that love for free country of which
Northerners and SOutherners are alike mem
bers. He needs TO be reminded by friend and
foe that a rigorous policy of self-ellacement is
the only duty he now owes to the country,