Many had believed the war hopeless, but nearly all had thought their armies strong enough, and their statesmen skillful enough, to extort from the North terms that would soften away, if not conceal, the rugged features of utter defeat.
Reid reflects on the Southern belief that they could negotiate favorable terms after their defeat in the Civil War.
Share
More from Whitelaw Reid
May it not prove, moreover, in that work of reorganization, which now engages the thoughts of all patriotic men, that universal suffrage is the best reconciler of the most comprehensive lenity with the most perfect public security and the…
They should persist in this claim respectfully, but firmly, taking care to bring no discredit upon it by their own action.
It has proved, also, that universal suffrage is the surest guarantee and most powerful stimulus of individual, social and political progress.
He who has that right will usually respect himself more, be more respected, perform more, and more productive work, and do more to increase the wealth and welfare of the community, than he who has it not.