The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-11-30
OUR. PRESENT DUTY.

tyeswill flllto gain aduIsslonln INTO the approncE-
ing Congress, and must of necessiyeplay the au-
tomaton soF far as regards their duties as tho
cxpopentsof afree and enlightened people, it bo-
comes us to; enquire what is the bes! policy fortEe
people Of This section to pursue. Assuredly, we
cannot be idle, 6rlistess as to the future, when
there is so much at issue-when the hopes ana as
piratons of the existing well as coming genera
toiss are involved, and when there is before us an
impoverished and desolatcd land. The fiery, im-
petuous blood of Southcrncrs cannot tameiy ac-
ouiesce in normal condition, and there must
needs be an object towards which ambition and de-
sire is directed In dealing with this subject there
should be no yelling of our real condition from the
eyes of the world Let it be we'll understood that
Tie result of the war has upheaycd society snd de-
stroyed the foundation of our social system that
fortunes are wrecked, enterprise impeded, and q
clog placed upon the energies ofthe people such as
can only be overcome by diligence and persever-
ance But it should be equally understood that
there is spirit of independence yet in existencc'
ncrving the arm and Strengthening the heart,
which will cause the namc of Southerners to be
respected even amid l..e ruin and dcsoaion of
their homes and the total destruction Of all the
hopes cherished in by-gone days The proud
spirit which animated patriotic and brave anccs-
try, placed in similar condition bat under different
circumstances should be rcumed in the breasts OF
those who have shown equal courage and devotion
in the late contest. The patriots of '76 found this
land impoverished and dcsolate, yet they did not
idly fold their hands and await the coming Of pros
pcrity With determination unparalleled, they
went heartily 20 work, and redeemed their country
from the thrsldom of temporary oppression and
want which it Lad undergone, and the lapse of a
few years found an uncxamplcd prosperity and
yicor pervading all classes. True, the difference
then and now is patent and only too kccnly felt by
:his generation In their revolution, success was
in attendance to urge them forward-'1hlst row
there is daily before US much TO discourage and
dsmpen the ardor Of tho most buoyant and hopeful.
Yet we contend that stern and pressing duty is
incumbent upon the men and women OF the South
to grasp from the shattered and scattered wreck all
that is possible and all that will prove valuable to
ail in rebuilding the fortancs of our people,
Politics may be eschcwed for season, and our
entire time and energies devoted to the recupcra-
tion of country wherein is centered the affections
and the Interests. of a people whose greatness is
acknowledged, however much they may be deridcd
for conduct which can only be deemed unfortunate
We can afford, while gathering afrosh industry and
enterprise, to give to the hands Of radicals
the rcins of power. Let it bc theirs to stand in
history as The OK xponcns of such opinions as may
govern vet awhile If We remain true to the die
tatcs of virtue and enlightenment, the day is moi
distant when there will arise strong and power
FIJI party throughout the broad domain of thi:
Union Which will silence forever the carpings ant
discomfort of c1trcmists and under the @gis
the Constitution, produce structure of govern
mcnt which will far excel the splendid fabri'
erected by tho wisdom of the pas. Then l
amounts to little if the present swayeda by blinded
ana narrow-mindcd, prejudice. Having endured
greatly heretofore, the Southern mind can yet bca
to brook the insults and jecrs Of those who laci
ma masnanirnity, and calmly, patiently await th
dawn of Reason and the advent.of Hope.
Meanwhile, naught should be neglected whcl
might tend to advancement in culture or pros
pcrity. .Educa un, the strongest lever of mankind
should receive careful nurturc-thc youths ant
madens who arc to shape the destiny of the Soutl
hereafter ought to acquire knowledge and learn
ing, coupled with lessons of industry such as have
! in the past been almost wholly neglected. lnsti
into the minds of rising generation the principles
of virtue, and teach them the practice of laudab
cxcrtion to obtain means and independence. Lool
with favor upon every effort of theirs to gain al
honest livelihood, and encourage tho:s who arr
neither ashamed OF afraid to earn their bread by
tho. sweat of the face. Drive out from society th
false and pernicious idea that responsibility con
lists in living without labor, AMI that the farmer
and tradesmcn are inferior 10 those who crowd th'
,ea.ned professions. And young men must cease
to be pensioners upon the reputation of worthy
ancestors, who have long since parted, end rely
upon thai name and fame a-.4ioved by their owr
talent and perseverance. Wher. all this is accom-
plishcd the South may proudly point to hOr sons
the brave survivors OF bloodret fields-as did thu
mother of the Gracchi-" These arc my jewels
If we forsake the path of du'y now so plainly
traced, then is it possible that VIC may continue the
"hewers of wood and drawers of water" that ar
inaamcd passion and frcnzicd spirit of oppression
would make us. We"spcak as unto wise mcn-
jadgc ys ,;hat is said"
l