The Placer herald., 1862-11-15
NUMBER II.
The Southern Character.

the Rev. DR.. Bellows, President Of the United
States Sanitary Commission, delivered before
the Unitarian Convention at BROOKLYN, New
York, Oct. 18th:
mo candid mind will deny the peculiar
charm of Southern young men at college, or
Southern young women in society. How
far race and climate, independent of servile
institutions, may have produced the South
ern chvalric spirit and manners will not
here consider. But one might as we'll deny
the small feet and hands of that people as
deny certain inbred habit of commando a
contempt Of life in defence of honor or class;
a talent for political life, and an easy control
of interiors. Nor is this merely an external
and lashy heroism. 1t is real 1t showed
itself in Congress early and always by the
courage, eloquence, skill and success with
which it controlled maiorities 1t showed
itself in the social life Of Washington by the
grace, fascination and ease, the free and
charming hospitality by which it governed
society. 1t now shows itself in England
and France by the success with which it
manages the courts and the circles of ltera-
ture and fashion in both countries. 1t shows
itself in this war In the orders and procla
nations of its generals, in the messages Of
the rebel Congress, and in the essential good
breeding and humanity CONTRARY to dill
gently encouraged public impression) with
which it not seldom divides its medical
stores, and gives our sick and wounded as
favorable care as it is able to extend to its
own. 1t exceeds us at this moment in the
possession of an ambulance corps.
| think ha yvar hava ipcpaaoaI Tho
respect felt by the North for the South. Its
miraculous resources, the bravery of its
troops, their patience under harlships, their
unshrinking frmness in the desperate posi-
ton they have assumed, the wonderful sue
cess with which they have extemporized
manufactures and munitions of war, and
kept themselves in relation with the world
in spite Of our magnificent blockade; the
elasticity with which they have risen from
defeat and the courage they have shown in
threatening again and again our capital, and
even our Interior, cannot fail to extort an
unwilling admiration and respect. Well is
General Mcclellan reported to have said
(privately) as be watched their obstinate
fighting at Antetam, and saw them retiring
in perfect order in the midst of the most
frightful carnage: "Whal terrific neighbors
these would be. We must conquer them, or
they will conquer u.s."
The war, then must have shown us that
we underrate the power, the charm, the adj.
vantage Of a slave civilization. No base,.
cowardIy, idle, worthless people could have
waged war as the South has done. 1t is
necessary to concede this to put ourselves in
any proper attitude to estimate the nature of
this war; or the way out Of it. In my iuagl
ment no virtue, no graces or charms, no
exalted gifts or qualities Of governing class
compensate in any degree for the lack Of es.
sential equality for The violation Of funda
mental principles of political ethics and social
morality. The South has a political and
moral falsehood, social and economical
curse, spiritual cancer at the very heart o
her life Her charms are hectic, her vigor
inflammation. Cleopatra drinking pearls with
an asp in her bosom is not more fated
beauty, but no one can deny the interest Of
the doomed creature.
Whatever, then, is good or spirited, in
llectual or mora at the South her religious
teachers, her high toned women, her inno'
cent children, quite as much as what is bad,
selfish and ambitious, is pledged to the war,
is living in the rebellion. 1t is necessary
to know and confess it. 1t shows US equally
what slavery can do and has done to change
its supporters into its own likeness; it ac
counts for the complete absence of any
Union sentiment; it enables us to under
stand the untiring resolution and determi-
nation Of the people in carrying on the war.
There never was people animated by a
greater unanmity, or willing to make great
er sacrifices to demonstrate their sincerity
and achieve their purpose.