Year: 1865




In my last, l closed the discussion o.
the question of amnesty without any
special allusion to those who are most
likely to oppose liberal policy, and
their reasons therefor-I aIIude to the
original and tried Unionists of the re
bellious States.


If, after all that they and their fami
lies have suffered, they did not fee
more or less resentment, they would
pass for either more or less than hui
man. To them there is responsiveness
in the idea of their rebel neighbors re-
turning unwbipt of justice, to enjoy
equal rights in the community with
them, which is hard to reconcile with
their ideas of right.


was struck with the intensity OF
this feeling among our Tennessee
friends with whom | conversed during
the passage through Washington of
General Schofelds (23d) corps. Al
most every soldier had his man (or the
memory of him) treasured up, and
seemed to regard it as a part of his re-
ligious obligation to take the life of that
particular person, should he be so un.
fortunate as to escape death in battle
and return to his more loyal but great
ly outraged neighbors. This feeling is
but natural Had the northern people
s'.8trsd in the same degree, they would
feel in the same degree.


But bitter as this feeling is, believe
1t susceptible to certain degree of
cure. 1t will last while the war lasts,
but the blessed notes of peace have a
charm for the human soul which will
be fully appreciated after four years of
strife and blood. twill soften the pas
sions, enlarge the affections, and beget
degree of magnanimity in the hearts
of men. that will surprise themselves.
| have noticed these results in le-
marksble degree among the people
here as the effect of favorable indica.
tions Of an early peace If the promise
does so much, the reality must do more.
The blessing of actual peace, with a
powerful, restored, and vindicated ma
tional government, will swell the hearts
and arouse the magnanimity of the
southern Unionists to such degree
that they will cease to crave a brothers
blood, and will be almost ready to say
500, and SIN no more r


All that magnanimity cannot and
may not be expected to overcome, may
be cured by little iudicious legisla-
ton and speaking for Tennessee in
particular, | think the present legisla-
ture has it in its power TO do much to-
wards restoring society to a state of
healthful Vigor. The temporary dis
franehisement of those who tarily
entered the rebel ranks, until such
time as they shall be adiudged by the
loyal people of the State to have given
satisfactory evidence ofrepentsnce, and
of their capacity and willingness to act
the part Of good citizens, will tend in the
first place to appease the injured senses
of the loyal, and in the second place to
encourage their emigration to States
where the prejudice against them will
be less formidable, and in the third to
encourage northern migration into
the State to fill the place made vacant
by their withdrawal Such distribu-
ton will, it is believed, aid in the es-
tablishment of a common sentiment
North and South, and thereby promote
the general welfare. The people of
the two sections have heretofore too
little understood each other, and a
more general commingling will doubt
less result faYorably to both. Slavery,
the great barrier to full intercourse, is
happily among the things of the past
The wealthy, influential leaders of the
rebellion are of course not included in
these suggestions. GREENvnLE