The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-08-28
Southern Cha,ac

Southern Char acter.
Three of the most prominent traits in
Southern character are covstousnsss, cru
city and ambition. When We say South
ern charactsr we always mean that Of their
prominent and representative men, the
aristocats and shareholders, who control
the society as well ~ the politics of
the country. Northern travellers who
have been entertained with such showy
hospitality at the South are inclined to
think covetousness no part of their ma
ture. We belive this to be mistake -
While it is true they spend money with
prodigal hand, yet it will be found
these lavish expenditures have gen.
orally had direct reference to self-to en-
nance their popularity, crafty their love
Of pleasure, pander to their pride and am
bltlon. or to satisfy their love Of ease,
idleness and comfort.
Are they generous to the poora Look
at the multitude Of poor whites among
them, the great majority Of their popu-
lasion, who are ground down to that con-
diton from generation to generation.--
Are they willing to educate the children
Of the cosntrys No, none but their own !,
in private schools or seminaries, from
which oil the poor are Of necessity en-.
cluded. Their churches are few and none
too we'll sustained, except where pomE
and ceremony are mistaken for true re-
iigion, aud broadcloth and silk its only
allowable garments. And how could mis-.
sions to heather !ands expect supper,
from people who require, to sustain theil
place and feed their avarioe, the subjec
tion OF race in their midst to heathenish
Ignorance?
This latter evidence of their covetous.
ness Is conclusive. We call men %
mammon-loving as to steal and rob,
thieves and ielons worthy Of condign pun
ishment. But those Southerns, who boast
OF their libenlity. are guilty Of stealing
human beings, and Of having robbed ,
race OF every mans birthright to liberty
compared with which the theft Of property
is utterly triaing. Truly that oovetou.
meas must be real and of alarming pro
portions when man will rob his brothe,
man to support it.
Cruelty and tyranny are the natura
allies Of covetousnss., and the ready in.
struments by which it seeks its ends.-
The Southern character is noted for il,
ha1tesr which some silly persons conside,
ch'valry and superiority Of race. Tn.
squald Indian, whose savage butcherie,
Of our pilgrim fathers are rivallsd BY tn,
recent and hsart-chilling murders com
nittsd in neighboring State, has in lik
manner been invested by some men Q
powerful imagina,ions, with character
lstlcs OF greatness and maguanimity. T,
those who consider moral and intellectu,
worth the measure Of greatness, thi
thought would never occur.
Slavery is grand system Of leqalire
cruelty. The most malignant passions {
hate. revenge and lust can here fnd ur
restricted indulgence. This characte,
nortured In the hp and cradle Of SLAYER,
becomes permanent and dominant, an
the po.essorstshs to tyr1nnize over ever
one coming With. BE reach. 1HIsaxA:
and cruel, the southerner il IN Ant
Christie oppresses the poor, he rob
the helpless, he despises his equals, N,
insults his superiors.
Ambition il likewise nm unmist.labl
characteristic Of the true Seutheraer-
Ambition linda its legitimate Geld of ex
ercise in the hu-human law-and i
i = lawyers the 6outherners have NO,
distinction and placs. The councils Q