Neither the constitutional theory nor the personal hate of their lives could be changed in a day, but both were alike impotent; and having been forced to abandon the war, they longed for the blessings which any peace on any terms might be expected to bring in its train.
Reid reflects on the inability of the defeated South to quickly change their mindset after the Civil War.
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Spain failed to maintain her title to the security she had pledged, but the lenders knew the instability of that security when they risked their money on it.
Here was the opportunity for a statesman to grasp.
Will you take peace without territory and preserve the integrity of the Constitution of the country?...
Isn’t it better to have the laws in some way take the matter out of their hands and make them work?