{"id":"01KG8AKARYQKW14191HYAC0FVJ","cid":"bafkreibxm2sy5u23zbtfaeweuovyix52qsrrrk3wpr5vq7i7fwf77zn6ga","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":5591,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:58.829Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 5","source_file":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","start_line":5556,"text":"National Legislature of men who represent the populations lately in\r\nrevolt. Such a result would involve no violation of the principles of\r\ndemocratic government. Not readily can one perceive how the political\r\nexistence of the millions of late Secessionists can permanently be\r\nignored by this Republic. The years of the war tried our devotion to the\r\nUnion; the time of peace may test the sincerity of our faith in\r\ndemocracy.\r\n\r\nIn no spirit of opposition, not by way of challenge, is any thing\r\nhere thrown out. These thoughts are sincere ones; they seem natural\r\n--inevitable. Here and there they must have suggested themselves to many\r\nthoughtful patriots. And, if they be just thoughts, ere long they must\r\nhave that weight with the public which already they have had with\r\nindividuals.\r\n\r\nFor that heroic band--those children of the furnace who, in regions like\r\nTexas and Tennessee, maintained their fidelity through terrible\r\ntrials--we of the North felt for them, and profoundly we honor them. Yet\r\npassionate sympathy, with resentments so close as to be almost domestic\r\nin their bitterness, would hardly in the present juncture tend to\r\ndiscreet legislation. Were the Unionists and Secessionists but as\r\nGuelphs and Ghibellines? If not, then far be it from a great nation now\r\nto act in the spirit that animated a triumphant town-faction in the\r\nMiddle Ages. But crowding thoughts must at last be checked; and, in\r\ntimes like the present, one who desires to be impartially just in the\r\nexpression of his views, moves as among sword-points presented on every\r\nside.\r\n\r\nLet us pray that the terrible historic tragedy of our time may not have\r\nbeen enacted without instructing our whole beloved country through\r\nterror and pity; and may fulfillment verify in the end those\r\nexpectations which kindle the bards of Progress and Humanity.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","title":"Chunk 5"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJS22SQ9XB07EMSJ5NFC7","peer_type":"frontmatter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKARYGYFWP51R7DPPGW8S","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:00.798Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:03.390Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}