Year: 1871

question the patriotism of those who
were ranged on different sides of the
great dispute that brought on the war.
The word rebellion" ought never to
to have been used. The war was an
unhappy conflict between the States,
and the men who stood on either side,
differing widely in their construction
of the powers Of the Government,
were alike honest and patriotic.


The Earl of Clarendon, in his great
work, calls the resistance made by
such men as Hampden and Cromwell
TO the aggressions Of Charles the First
upon the liberties of the people OF
England, a rebellion. Did the use of
that term by the Royalists make
Hampden and Cromwell traitors?


When the war ended there should
have been prompt, thorough, per-
feet reconciliation between the men Of
the two great sections so lately ranged
under different banners. The terms
agreed ON between General Sherman
and General Johnston would have re-
stored tranquility, prompt and last
ing, If they had been adhered TO.


But a widely different policy was
adopted. The South was denounced.
Her heroic sons who fell in battle
were called traitors. Her living men,
brave, tried, full OF generous and great
qualities, were put under the ban Of
the government; an attempt was
made TO SOW distrust between the
races throughout the South. Not con-
tent with the emancipation OF the
slave. the aim of those who controlled
the government was to give him an
ascendency for which he was wholly
untitled. Not one word OF kindness
or Cancellation has been uttered.
Nothing has been done to restore the
Southern people to their true relations
TO their Government. And now, our
public mark OF respect shown TO
one who bore distinguished part in
the great struggle for Southern indie
pendence eXcites as much cOmmOtiOn
among the enemies Of our section, as
the appearance OF BanquO's ghost did
In Macbeth, when his friends
assembled at the banquet after the
murder Of Duncan.


The people of the South recognize
the supremacy OF the Union. They
regard il as indissOluble. They do not
seek to disturb the Government by
revolution. The Government of the
United States is their government.
The flag that floats in the breezes of
the North, floats In the breeZes of the
South. Let il stream over the whole
continent, the standard of a federal
government, embracing gmightyStates,
forever united. But ifit be demanded
of the people of the South that they
shall pass under the yoke Ofa military
despotism, that they shall consent to
be serfs, the demand will be met with
prompt and indignant defiance. They
cherish the memory of the men who
died for their cause. They will pay a
tribute Of respect TO the living men
who represented the South, and stood
up for her defense in the days of her
tribulatiOn, and in the great struggle
for her independence. When they
strew flowers upon the graves Of their
dead heroes, or when they welcome
the men who risked their lives Of the
South, they yield to emotions which
even generous enemies should respect,
and which should find sympathy in
the breasts of a kindred peOpleI but
they do not dream of revolution; nor
do they propose 70 lift up that banner
once more which they upheld for years
with such splendid courage and noble
f0rtitude The past belongs to history.
Let the future witness the progress Of
a free and happy people, united under
a common government that protects
throughout its wide ex-
tent Constitutional liberty.


A Whig before the war, my senti-
ments have undergone no change. In
my judgment the interests OF the South
were at that time safer within the
Union than they could be outside OF
it. To-day every interest of every
people of every section Of the country
must enjoy higher security, and must
advance to greater prosperity, under
the protection of a common govern
ment, than it would be possible to at
tain if the Republic should be subdi-
Vided. Let as preserve the Union,
and let US maintain the Constitution.


HENRY ". HILLIARD.