The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-09-14
British Way and Yankee Way.
columbia STATED

we could Wish CnaJ Jne NOfIHeTu Coh
temporaries that are so highly COM
mending Great Britain's treatment of the
conquered Beers would make mental
comparison between this policy and that
which characterized the government or
the United States in dealing with the
Southern people after the War OF the
Sections; then setting forth their con-
illusions. The results of such an inquiry
would be interesting to our people.
1t is common to read Qualifications OF
the North for it's 'magnanimous" treat
ment of the South after the collapse of
the Confederacy, and some Southern men
have been ignorant and foolish enough
to acquiesce in the opinion that the con-
quering section treated the conquered
one with unexampled magnanimity We
do not wish to re-arouse old bitternesses,
and shall not do so, but surely the lapse
of thirty-seven years should be sufficient
to give us a calm, clear view of the case
from the historic standpoint
To be quite frank, we think that the
Northern, and especially the Republican
papers that remarked, and, remarking,
approved the consideration and honor
with which the vanquished Beers have
been treated by the British should feel
a Jingle of shame when they recall the
very different manner in which the
Southern people, conquered, impoverish-
ed and helpless, were dealt with by the
conquering section. few suggestions
will indicate how much the North the
Republican North more especially, has to
be ashamed of in its treatment of the
people of the fallen Confederacy.
Imagine the Washington government
making free grant, averaging $500 per
man, to the Confederate soldiers who
fought against the United States! Imag-
Inc that governmental providing that
none of the costs of the war should be
imposed upon the States lately in re.
bellion! Imagine Confederate chiefs
like Jefferson Davis invited by official
Washington, with guarantees of security,
to continue in the country as the Brit
ish government invited Paul Kruger to
return to the Transvaal! Imagine the
people of Washington or New York gath
ering in immense crowds to greet Lee
and Johnston and Beauregard, as the
people of London assembled to cheer and
welcome Botha, Delarey and DeWet!
Imagine their giving the defeated Con-
welcome as enthusiastic as they gave
Grant and Sherman!-for it is testified
that the Boer generals were received i'm
London by crowds as great and cordial
as met Lord Roberts and Kitchener on
their return as conquerers. Imagine the
society people of the Northern metropo-
lis tumbling over each other in their de.
sire to lionize these representative Con-
federates! Imagine the President of the
United States giving them a cordial in
vitation to visit him and, on their re
spending, congratulating them upon the
gallant and brave manner" in which
they had fought and thanking them for
the consideration and kindness" with
which they had treated the Federal
wounded Imagine Seward and Stanton
coming forward, as Secretary Chamber
lain has done in the case of the Boer
commanders, to do the honors of the
country to the representatives of the
vanquished! Imagine Stanton sending
just after the war, a wreath to lay upon
the grave of Stonewall Jackson after the
manner of Joseph Chamberlain in honor
ing the memory of Gen. Lucas Meyer.
We. might continue these contrasts in
definitely-all going to show how very
very different is England's present
| treatment of the Beers from the North's
treatment of the South in 1865 and after
| 1t is conceded everywhere that the course
which official and unofficial Britain has
taken toward the burghers since they laid
| down their arms has been not only just
but generous, not only generous but su-
premely wise. When we contrast it with
CHI
war, the Imprisonment and ironing OF
| Jefferson Davis. the torrent of revilings
| against ''rebels" and TRAITORS" the dis
reimbursement of the Confederate officers
| the tyrannies of the military govern.
ments, the horrors of Reconstruction we
| find a difference as great as between
| light and darkness In truth, the man.
ner in which the South was dealt with
| after the war will be a reproach 10 the
national government through all history
| The Southern people were rebels" to the
| claimed; but so did the British hold the
Beers to be rebels The cases are sim.
| liar, but the British have laalt Will
theirs in way to make the Yankee
treatment show blackly in comparison
The impulse to treat the conquered foe
as the British people from King Edward
down have treated the Beers is an honor
to the race and the nation. And if policy
somewhat shaped the welcome to these
new fellow subjects" it was "A far sight
ed and wise policy. Were the Boer
States dealt with by England as the
Southern States wer edealt with by the
North there would be no hope of hearty
acquiescence, of enduring peace in South
Africa. Only by the course now taken
can Britain hope for the willing assini,
lation of the African Dutch with their
conquerers.
1t is a marvel of the age how the South
despite all the post bellum wrongs and
contumely it suffered from the North, has
been willing to forgive-and almost tc
FORGET.