Staunton Spectator

Before the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for 75,000 men of suppress a little insurrection at the South, a large majority of the Southern people were opposed to secession. But as soon as that proclamation was issued, there was an almost unanimous determination to resist force with force. I this section of the State of Virginia, where before, the Union sentiment, approximated unanimity, there was exhibited upon the publication of that proclamation a unanimity of determination to resist coercion, "at all hazards an to the last extremity," which was truly marvellous. As instantaneous as the electric flash, the strongest Unionists were converted into dis-Unionists, and the strongest peace men into war men. The spectacle was, in the higher degree, sublime. The want of the magician never wrought such a change.

From that time til the surrender of Gen'l Lee, the people of the South were nearly unanimous in their opposition to a coerced Union. As near an approximation to unanimity was never before exhibited in any country upon any occasion. Whilst this was the case, the Press of the North persistently maintained, and the Government acted upon the assumption, that a majority of the people were still in favor of the Union, and that they were kept down and ruled by the military despotism of a small minority. When the people of the South were, by thousands, sacrificing their lives for the sake of Independence, it was insisted that the majority of them were good Union men.

Now that the war is over, and the people of the South acknowledge themselves defeated; now that they have abandoned all hopes of Independence, and have solemnly sworn allegiance to the Government of the United States; now that they desire to be obedient "loyal citizens" of the Union, presto change! the Press of the North maintain, and the Government seems to act upon the assumption, that, in spite of the solemn avowals and sworn allegiances, a vast majority of the Southern people are still "rebels," and that "loyal" men are as "scarce as hens' teeth." What has become of all the time good Union men, that "loyal" majority who were kept in such dire subjections by the military despotism of the few? Southern military despotism no longer exists. Gen'l Grant lifted the burdensome yoke off their galled shoulder -- they are now as free as any oderiferous "unbleached Americans citizens of African descent." If it be true that a majority of the people of the South have been, all the time, good Union men, why keep a military force in the South, now that the "rebels" have been disarmed, even granting the most monstrous idea, that their oaths of allegiance were but acts of the bleakest perjury? The truth is, during the war, rebels were almost as numerous in the South as the

"Leaves in Vallambrosa's vale,"

whilst the Union were nearly as scarce as white crows.

Upon the surrender of the Confederate armies, a change as sudden and remarkable as that which occurred at the beginning of the war took place, and of a precisely opposite character. The proclamation for 75,000 men made the people of the South almost a [unclear] for war; the capitulation of Gen. Lee made them a unit for peace. In the world's history, we suppose there are never was an occasion before when so many persons were so suddenly and unanimously inspired with a desire for peace. At the first sound of the harsh tocsin of war, the people of the South sprang to arms -- they rushed impetuously to meet the foe, planted their banners upon the "perilous edges of battle," rallied manfully around them, fought like heroes and wreathed their brows with unfading chaplets of laurel. Tho' they failed to secure Independence, they did not fail to gain an immortality of fame.

"Peace hath her victories

No less renewed than those of war."

In war, the North were successful; in peace the victory is with the South.

Since the surrender, the people of the South have conquered their prejudice, subdued their passions, overcome their feelings of hostility, surrendered their fondest hopes, submitted with patience to their fate, philosophically accepted the "situation," and have resolved to be, in future, loyal citizens of the Union.

On the contrary, the people of the North are still the victims of distrust and suspicion, -- they are afraid to trust the loyalty of their Southern brethren with whom they were so loth to part -- they are still the slaves of their prejudices ans cannot wholly subdue their spirit of hostility.

The South has gained the greater victory; for "greater is he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city."

The grand jury of Franklin county, P., have returned true bills to the Court against Gen. McCausland, Maj. Gilmore and Capt. Smith for arson, and others are pending for highway robbery against Gilmore and Smith, and robbers and murder against McCausland. Requisitions have been issued by Geo. Curtin, upon Gov. Boreman, of West Virginia, for the rendition of McCausland and upon Gov. Pierpont for the rendition of Smith.--The Franklin Repository says that "its is probable that the late rebel Gen. Jubal A. Early will also be indicted for murder, arson and highway robbery, as his order was shown in Chambersburg directing the freebooter's tribute to be levied, and, in default of payment, the burning of the town."

Give us even-handed justice, and let us see Genl. Hunter tried and convicted and punished for the destruction of private property and the murder of Mr. David Creigh.