The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-11
SENSIBLE TALK,

"We have noticed, from time to time,
rumors of various emigration schemes
from the South of young men and others
who concluded they could not be happy
or even contented under calamities
which, it is apprehended, will come up
on the country. We have not heard so
much of these projects oflate; probably
because time has disclosed that there
was no foundation for the gloomy antici-
pations INDUCED soon after the downfall
of the Confederacy, and, perhaps, So
Der second thought convinced those of
the intended emigrants who best loved
the South that it was a poor way toshow
their affection for their old mother by
sticking to her as long as she was pros
porous and deserving her in the hour OF
her misfortune. If there are any who
still remain disconnected, it is better for
them to go than to stay here, but the
number of these, we apprehend, is few.
The great body Of the Southern people
are Loyalty disposed towards the Govern
ment of the United States, though there
may be some still inclined to emigrate,
not from disaffection tothe Government
but from apprehensionso Of political and
social chaos which the future is suppos-
ed to have in store for us.
"We trust that such ideas will not be-
come general among our people, for,
even if they were well founded, it is inn
possible for the whole population, or any
considerable portion of it, to emigrate;
and it would be Drawer and more manly
in the few who can, to stand by their
friends and neighbors, and share their
lot, whatever it may be. But there is
no foundation for these gloomy forebod.
ings. We feel sure that the United
States Government is inclined to be not
only just, but generous, to the South,
and that the wish nearest the heart Of
the great and patriotic man at the head
Of the Government is to restore univer-
sal peace and happiness to the nation.
That he is thoroughly determined to
preserve the Union is undoubtedly as
true of Andrew johnson as it ever was
of Andrew Jackson; but that he has one
particle of sectional hostility against the
South that he would persecute or degrade
it, or ruin it or make it miserable, is too
mad and absurd notion to deserve dis
cussion except among lunatics. 1t is the
interest of the whole country that the
South should be contented and prosper
Gus; and had the President no higher
ambition than his own renown, he
would find it in that work of univer-
sal Cancellation which his sense of JUS
tice and right has already inaugurated,
and W hich he will cling to with all the
energies of his powerful nature as long
as he has theI cooperation of the people.
We can see no reason, therefore, in the
indulgence OF morbid imaginations Of
coming evils. We have only to be faith
full to our duties as citizens of the United
States to make sure that the Government
will be our friend, and not our enemy.
For our own part, we believe that
the South is destined to career of
prosperity under the new order of things
such as she has never enjoyed since the
establishment of the Union. We be-
ieve that the census of 1876 will show
large increase in every element of ma
terial prosperity. There may be for
time individual suffering there may be
severe trials OF faith and patience, but
the good sense and good feeling of the
people of both sections will ultimately
attain the ascendancy and place us again
on an even keel. Tie hand of provi.
dence was so signally manifested In the
establishment and the preservation of
the American Union that we cannot
admit the idea that its great design for
the good OF mankind are to be th.warted
by the ruin which respondent nations
anticipate. We look upon the twilight
around us as that which precedes the
morning, and not the night, and which
will soon witness the rising sun of Z
glorious day. .
"No one denies that the South EN-
braces within its limits a greater variet,
and amount of the elements of materia
wealth than can be found in any othe
norton of the civilized earth of equa
dimensions. Its staple agricultural Pre-
auctions are indispensable to the CON
merce and manufactures OF the world
Its mineral treasures are boundiess II
rivers and harbors are unsurpassed
eaualled, on the continent. 1t neeo
only the infusion of new energy, an
habits of universal labor, to quadrupi
its population and wealth in the mex
twenty years. Immigration willgive
that impetus, and this immigration W
shall have setting in in astrong tide from
the North and Europe, and not only de
veloping our resources, but assimilatinl
and harmonizingw with our society. Thu
Northern men who come here will be
come part and parcel of ourselves, ant
whilst they remain Americans, will have
the same State pride and attachment IL
their adopted Southern State as they haG
in their adopted Northern State Thu
Northern man who settles in the Yves
becomes as devoted TIC the West as to tn
spot of his nativity, and the same will
be the case with the Northern settler