The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-23

newal of the cartel for the exchange of
prisoners, but the real purpose of his mis-
sion was to see President Lincoln for the
purpose of ascertaining on what conditions
the war could be terminated. But he was
not permitted by the federal authorities
to pass through their military lines. Then
he appointed the commissioners to the
Hampton Roads conference for the same
purpose. And afterwards, in 1865 he au-
thorized Gen. r. z. Lee to try to nego-
tate through Gen. Grant for the same
purpose.
After the overthrow of the confederate
government and the surrender of the con-
federate armies, the work of the restora-
ton of federal authority in the southern
states was commenced. while the excite
ment and passions and prejudces of the
war were in full blaze, and were intensified
by the assassination of President Lincoln,
with which it was then unjustly assumed
the confederate authorities had some con-
nection, but which was regarded by them
as most unfortunate Tor the people who
had adhered to the fortunes of the con-
federacy.
If under the Providence of God the life
of President Lincoln could have been
spared, so that reconstruction and the
restoration of the union could have been
brought about under his supervision, and
that of the officers and soldiers who
the country would have been saved from
the Introduction of abnormal military gov
ernments which are so unfriendly to civil
rights and political liberty, and so con-
trary to the genius of our government;
and that the people of the southern states
would have been saved from much of the
enormous sacrifices and suffering which
they were compelled to endure during the
period of reconstruction; the demagogues
in politics; the unchristian prosecutions by
religious bodies, and the thieving treasury
officials would not have had so wide a field
for their opera tons.
And now that we are again citizens of
the United States, living under the same
government and constitutional flag, our
late adversaries ought not to desire to de-
grade us In the eyes of posterity, and If
they would be wise and just they should
not wish to place our people in history in
the position of being unworthy of the
rights liberty and character of citizens of
our great and common country.
1t is fitting and proper at this point that
should refer TO a matter which fifty IL
Illustrates the character of the southern
people. There was never a time during all
the perils and suffering of reconstruction
that men of prominence who had been on
the confederate side, could not have OBJ
tanned positions of honor and emolument
under the federal government if they
convictions and betray their people. A
very few did so and thereby earned an
everlasting infamy. But nearly all of them
stood by their convictions and preserved
their honor, and thereby proved them
selves worthy of citizenship in the great
est and proudest government on earth.
History notes, with it's richest praises,
the matrons of Rome They were no doubt
worthy of all that has been said of them.
But their hOnOrs cluster about them when
Rome was a great and victorious nation.
This is not said to their dscredit, but to
contrast with them the noble and devoted
women of the confederacy. The grandeur
of their lives and conduct was exhibited in
a cause in which the odds were greatly
against their country, In which great sac
rihces were necessary, and in which sue
cess was at all times doubtful. I never
felt my inability to do justice to any sub
ject so keenly as l do when attempting to
do justice to the character, services and
devotion of the women of the confederacy.