In the immediate post-Reconstruction era, contributors to "The Century" debated what should be done about the postwar South and the newly free slaves, generally advocating for amicable relations between the regions and national unity. In 1873 and 1874, "Scribner’s" ran a number of articles under the title "The Great South," a series which lasted fourteen issues. Based on Edward King’s travels, the author’s accounts generally portrayed the region in a sympathetic light and the series was warmly received by Southerners. In 1876, "Scribner’s" published a eulogy to Robert E. Lee, along with an editorial postscript praising the spirit of "sectional friendliness" of the piece.