The great, magnanimous North, never vindictive, through all their provocations, having subdued the rebellion by force of arms, were setting themselves to the more pleasing task of winning back the misguided rebels by the exercise of a Christ-like, forgiving love. They were stretching forth the hand of reconciliation over the graves of our slaughtered brothers, and taking back to their hearts, almost before their repentance. Certainly before they had brought forth fruits meet for repentance, those who had long breathed out threatenings and slaughter against them.