Staunton Spectator

These terms, which are now used so frequently, are understood differently in the NOrth and South. In the South, we mean by "reconstruction," the establishment of the Union as it was before the war, with the enjoyment of all th rights of guaranteed by the Constitution. In the South, we mean by loyalty, cheerful obedience to the Constitution of the United States and all laws passed in pursuance thereof.

In the North, different views are held; at least it is the ease with that class which we denominate "Radicals." The Charlottesville (Va.) Chronicle well say, that "what these Northern Radicals mean by 'reconstruction' is not the submission of the South to the Federal authorities in good faith, but the submission of the Southern mind to the Northern mind, both in its opinions and feelings. They are not content to enslave the body; they wish to enslave the soul. The man who differs from them is a wretch that ought to be suppressed; and it is an inexcusable act of moral turpitude for a man reared in Florida to say the weather is warm, when it is cool in Massachusetts. As Massachusetts sees a proposition, so, for the sake of the unity of the Puritan Empire, a Texas man must recognize precisely the same outline.

"A well-reconstructed Southern man must also have satisfaction in pain -- when the loyal Northern man strikes him, he must experience a pleasurable sensation. He must not wax sad over the desolation of the South, because true loyalty does not care a button what becomes of the South, and is ever radiant with joy at the aggregate result. True loyalty consists in the rough selfishness and heartlessness. It forces negro suffrage on the helpless inhabitants of the District, with the tyrannical remark that 'these people in their hearts sympathized with the rebellion.' It would no more think of allowing those negroes to migrate to the State of Vermont and vote, than the wolf would think of giving its supper to the lamb. Loyalty is not concerned a baubee whether the weight of a mountain is placed on th wasted, enfeebled frame of the South, but it is alive with passion if a feather rests for a moment on its own brawny shoulders. Loyalty has blasted the black man all through the North, and denied him the most ordinary privileges; but it would make a Jamaica of the South, with a little concern as a schoolboy cuts down the monarch of the forest to get a squirrel. Loyalty heeds not the cry of anguish that goes up from the South any more than the remorseless hounds hear the sighs of the noble stag they have at last pulled down. Loyalty regards the South as a legitimate field for the practice of and all Massachusetts' theories just as atrocious criminals are given over to surgeons and physicians for doubtful experiments.

"Loyalty is like the man who used to whip his slaves until he made them laugh: it punishes, requires contrition, and then gladness.--For a rebel to become loyal, he must not say that he submits to the arbitrament of the sword, and that he has ceased to love what he loved before he felt it. Loyalty requires a boy who refuses to take physic, to take it after being whipped -- but this is not all it insists on -- the boy must like the physic. No Southern man is loyal, if he retain any local attachments; he must contract a disgust for his ancestors, and snap all the ties and associations of the past. Loyalty requires that any prejudice against social equality with the negro must not be cherished at the South, but is unblameworthy in Connecticut.

"We understand a 'reconstructed' Southern man, in the sense of Northern Radicals, to mean that such a Southern man must become thoroughly abject in his nature, and go to Massachusetts for opinions, as the devout Catholic seeks the confessor to get his religious faith.--Until he undoes himself and believes against his conscience -- no matter what his outward conduct -- he is still in rebellion. War should carry conviction, as well as enforce submission. War should prove, as well as over-master. If the surrender of General Lee did not convince the people of Virginia that they were a race of scoundrels, they need farther 'reconstruction.'"

It would seem from the conduct of some of the Freedmen of this place that they suppose freedom consists in the use of profane language. It is quite a common occurrence to hear them swearing upon the streets and they do it with an air which seems to say, "I am free now and can swear like a sailor -- listen to my profane oaths -- they evince my freedom." These freedmen should be taught that profane swearing, and the use of vulgar language should not be allowed, and that freedom confers no such privileges as outrage good behavior and decency.--If they would take our advice, we would counsel them to act in such a manner as would secure for themselves in such manner as to deserve it. If they will work instead of idling their time on the streets, and will behave themselves properly instead of taking every opportunity to assert their freedom by the use of profane and vulgar language, they will be respected as they deserve and will receive good treatment; but if they choose to make vagabonds of themselves, and to act the part of very mean and low people, they cannot expect to command the respect, kindness and sympathy of respectable and decent citizens. An industrious and well-behaved Freedman can always get employment, and will always be well treated; but an idle, ill-behaved one may expect to be an outcast -- no one will interest himself in his behalf. He will be left to shift for himself.

In the list of places where garrisons of soldiers are to be established, Staunton is not mentioned, from which we infer that there is no purpose, at this time, to send any more soldiers here. We hope no garrison will be established here, for there is no use for them of which we can conceive. When soldiers were here, they rendered no service, but were the cause of a great deal of disorder. They drank liquor, became intoxicated, used profane language, maltreated the Freedmen, had difficulties with citizens, and caused disorder generally. There was but little disposition, or great want of ability, on the part of the officers, to restrain them and make them behave themselves properly.--Since their departure, the order and quiet of the town has been vastly improved. Such was the conduct of the soldiers, that their presence was a cause of annoyance by day and of dread by night.