Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-14

7 "a "
1T is not merely a faacy, but crime, to argue
l. that the differences of education, habits and
character between the Northern and Southern peo-
pie, must nece ssarily keep them in ceaseless en-
nifty and strife So far is this from being true that
in many respects the contrasts OF thought and
ton will rather tend to union and strength than to
rupture and repulsion. In nature many substances
of opposite qualities are yet found united by chem
ical laws in forms of the highest beauty and utility.
No two gases can be more unlike than oxygen and
nitrogen-the being the supporter and the other
the extinguisher of combustion. Yet they happily
unite in forming the chief ingredients of our at.
mosphere, which maintains our life, ami surrounds
us with all the lovely and healthu vitalitics of ma
ture.
Thus with the return of peace, VIC believe tire very
differences in the habits and character Of the North
and South will tend TO harmony and prosperity, if
proper spirit of concili8tion and kindness be cu-
tivated. What is wanting in the one will be supplied
by the other What is redundant and excessive in
one will be neutralized and subducd to equilibrium
by the elements furnished by the other.
That there are broad contrasts in the genius and
character Of the people of the two sections may be
freely admitted. But it is worthy of earnest con-
sideration with the South, and especially with Vir
ginia, whether some of the prominent qualities of
Northern men may not, at this period in our his
tory, be infused into our society with the most ad
vantageous results
The industry and enterprise of the North
in developing every form of material well-bcing,
have long been known, and have never been
more manifest than during the past twenty
five years. Their activity in commerce, in
navigation in manufactures, in the arts which
contribute to the comfort and pleasure Of lite, has
been equalled only By their perseverance. In the
South, before the war, were content to let this
busy drama Of industry pass before our eyes with
out taking vigorous part in its labors, or enjoy
ing many Of its benefits. Now that a dcsolating
war, brought by the unhappy spirit of disunion,
has expended its force, We find ourselves in a state
of exhaustion and material ruin which may well fill
our hearts with sadness. Many of our cities and
unonists and present scene of desolation recall
ing to mind the ruins of past age. Our country
no longer abounds in all III at could minister 20
wants or crafty our tastes. Even our agriculture
the chief pursuit and stay of the South, has felt
the blasting breath of the war demon. Fences
broken down and destroyed, homesteads burned
abardoned, labor disorganized broad and fertile
fields lying waste and in common, these arc the
sad evidences of the storm which, for four years,
has been beating upon
When the storm has ceased, shall We lie down in
apathy and despair Assuredly not. Let US re-
member that the most terrible tempeSts-the most
destructive bursts of the thunder cloud-are not
without their benevolent and useful end. They
purify the air and relieve nature Of the plethora
which otherwise would convuke and destroy.
The prolonged and fierce conflict now drawing to
its close viii rot have been in vain if it shall estab
lish philosophy broad enough to support higher
civilization than any yet known in the world. fit
shall result in carrying forward a united North and
South upon new career Of prosperity, with no
conflicting system Of labor to excite mutual enmi-
ties and to rend them asunder, its Sacrifices win
have brought Precipitation. Even the blood, the
suferngs the desolations Of this struggle win not
be lost to the South, if long lie Of peace, happi-
and virtue shall follow them.
our brethren Of the North have the Industry, the
inventive SKILL the capital, the trained labor
sary to infuse life into system. Let us receive
them, and labor together for restoration of our
land to more than its pristine ioveliuess and we'll
being.
ME FACT is not generally known that the pre-.