them are so is a
national duty. I count it an omen of good, when I find that one who bore
himself gallantly as a soldier has received preferment. We cannot afford
to quarrel on this ground; for, though their courage was for our
wounding, their valor was the valor of Americans.

The really bad feature of the situation with respect to the relations of
these States to the General Government is, that there is not only very
little loyalty in their people, but a great deal of stubborn antagonism,
and some deliberate defiance. Further war in the field I do not deem
among the possibilities. Be the leaders never so bloodthirsty, the
common people have had enough of fighting. The bastard Unionism of North
Carolina, the haughty and self-complacent State pride of South Carolina,
the arrogant dogmatism and insolent assumption of Georgia,--how shall we
build nationality on such foundations? That is the true plan of
reconstruction which makes haste very slowly. It does not comport with
the character of our Government to exact pledges of any State which are
not exacted of all. The one sole needful condition is, that each State
establish a republican form of government, whereby all civil rights at
least shall be assured in their fullest extent to every citizen. The
Union is no Union, unless there is equality of privileges among the
States. When Georgia and the Carolinas establish this republican form of
government, they will have brought themselves into harmony with the
national will, and may justly demand readmission to their former
political relations in the Union. Each State has some citizens, who,
wiser than the great majority, comprehend the meaning of Southern defeat
with praiseworthy insight. Seeing only individuals of this small class,
a traveller might honestly conclude that the States were ready for
self-government. Let not the nation commit the terrible mistake of
acting on this conclusion. These men are the little leaven in the gross
body politic of Southern communities. It is no time for passion or
bitterness, and it does not become our manhood to do anything for
revenge. Let us have peace and kindly feeling; yet, that our peace may
be no sham or shallow affair, it is painfully essential that we keep
these States awhile within national control, in order to aid the few
wise and just men therein who are fighting the great fight with stubborn
prejudice and hidebound custom. Any plan of reconstruction is wrong
which accepts for