Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-19
THE PROGRESS OF RECONsTRUC-
TION.

THE PROGRESS OF RECONsTRUC-
TION.
In all parts of the South the work of re-
construction goes steadily forward. A little
time was necessary TO afford an opportunity
for the smoke of the conflict to clear away,
and for the people, white and black, to look
around, and adjust themselves TO their new
condition and relation. The whites found
but little delay in ascertaining the duties and
necessities resting upon them, and have pro-
oeeded with commendable promptitude to
place themselves in proper attitude before
the country and the world. Their heroic
bearing on the field of action has been
equalled by their wisdom in accepting the
decision Of the contest. Quick, impulsive,
fiery and reckless as the Southern mind was
supposed to be, it has now gained charac-
ter for wisdom and composure in the most
trying circumstances which to future gen
crations will rppear the most admirable
mirable feature in the history of the pres
ent The negro is little slower natu-
rally, and the influences which have been
80 industriously applied have still more con-
tributed to retard his progress in his appro-
pirate work. If he is let alone, he will, in
due time, come to understand his position
and duties in a great Republic Boosting all
its people free.
We this morning present our readers with
extracts from the Inaugural addresses of the
Governors of Georgia and Alabama These
gentlemen were elected to their respective
positions by the people of those States; and
their views and opinions represent the people
whose wishes, embodied into law, they have
been selected 10 execute A few DAYS ago
we presented also the inaugural of the
Governor Of South Carolina, delivered
under thr same circumstances. We are
pleased TO point TO them as the highest evil
denoe of the rectitude and good faith of the
Southern people The various Legislatures
are coming fully up TO the standard
marked out by these gentlemen. The life
long prejudices of our people, with respect
10 subjects of the greatest moment, are yield
cd gracefully and faithfully 20 the prevail
ing demands. They show not only a will
ingness, but a hearty desire that the expert
mont of negro freedom shall be tested fully
and fairly TO its utmost development. The
negro in his turn and progress, will soon find
out who have been and arc still his truost
friends. He cannot do il at once, but he
will, nevertheless, arrive at the truth at
last. The tuition in the school ofexpcrience
is rather dear, but it is generally the best
Surveying the entire field of the late re-
bellion, wo find that the people have con-
formed TO every condition TO a restoration to
their former rights and privileges in the
Union, or are proceeding with all readiness
and dispatch to finish up the minor details
Of the great work. Ii may be asserted now
with truth, that there is not disunionist
capable Of exercising any influence in public
affairs, south Of Mason and DiXon's line.
For time there were a few twelith-hour
vaporers; but happily, these have subsidized,
and the Southern people may now be con-
sidered unit in all matters pertaining to
speedy restoration Of the Union.
The only hospitality to a more perfect
Union must be sought beyond the Southern
borders. And the only cause for delay TO
the restoration is found in the ranks of those
who pretended, through four difficult years,
TO be fighting for what they now jesuitically
oppose. But we believe and trust that they
will ovgr-raagh th,oe,l,.,. Tbcro IL a
sense Of justice, a law and constitution
abiding sense in the breasts of the American
people, which has not been obliterated
by the late conflict which must and
will assert ITSELF in spite Of the ei-
forts Of mere politicians. There never
has been day since the organization Of the
Government, when the South did not con-
tribute as much to the value, the glory and
prosperity Of the Union, both in intellectual
and physical power, rs any other part Of it,
ofequal extent. 1t is prepared now for the
same labor, if the people Of the North shall
put down their factions demagoguos, and
strike hands in subscribing common inter
est and working out n common destiny.
The shrewd Northern disunionist, is for
subverting the Union by 30 amending the
Constitution as TO exclude portion Of the
Union from any Of its benofts-making
new and different Government, which will
finally bring common misfortunes and ruin
While the republic continues, these schemes
will fail Tor the very primary reasons for
framing ond sustaining the Union viii, in
the minds and action of all sensible men,
forbid their success.