Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-05-11

Southern FEELNG.-The regular cores
pondent of ths Boston Adrsrtrser, after eight
or nine months travel at the South, thus
sums up his conclusions
Politically, cannot but think that the state
Of public opinion in South Carolina, Ge7rgia,
and Florida, is worse than It was before the war,
or at least more sntagouistic to our Northern
ideas Of State suhordinatinn. No single origi-
nal secessonIst, so far as have seen, has chang
ed his views in the least. However resigned he
may be to the course Of events. be still clings
fondly TO the belief that the South were right in
every view. and that he and his fellows have
done the duty to the best Of their ability, only
TO be overpowered by Overwhelming numbers
of mercenaries and foreigners.
The universal feeling among the original Sc
cessonisrs of the South, seems to be one Of pride
in their course, blrpdnsss TO any merit in their
"conauerors," submission from necessity ouly
to the present requirements Of government, and
the opinion that under similar circumstances
their duty would lie in precisely similar action
again. So far there is certainly 10 improvement
on the old Southern secession spirit.
Where see exactly the reverse, IS among
many who were snii-secesson and actual Union
men before the war-thOussnds Of intelligent
men who boldly and resoutely opposed secession
up 10 its actual elimination, then gave them
Sc YES over body and soul, willing sacrifice to
their State, and used all their energy and wealth
in sustaining the rebel cause. Most Of these
men retain little or none Of their Union feeling
and are embittered by long fighting and m'sfor-
tunes into regarding the North and the Govern
I ment as an alien conqueror. Their only regret
seems 10 be that the South did not fight ''under
the old fag''-that is, instead Of secedIng, did
! not take up arms as part or section Of the
Union, sll 10 enforce their Interpretation Of the
| Constitution. In view Of the alienation Of these
men-a numerous and respectable class-I say
that the political situation Of the Southeastern
/ States is worse than before the war.
Almost every man, woman and child in those
States, cherishes the same Idolatrous regard for
Lee, Jackson, Wade Hampton, and even for
| Davis, that we feel for Washington and Lincoln.
| With them, however, the sentiment OF love ana
admiration is strengthened and intensified by the
sense OF common misfortune and common wrong.
| The feeling is ineradcable in this generation,
and will be to some extent hereditary and ira
ditional.
can see no other way to permanent recon-
struction and true reunion than Northern en-
igration to the dIsatfected section. Universe
negro suffrage would be cruel measure, crue
to whites and blacks alike, and almost sure tt
produce the worst results.
But while the state of political feeling is such
it may be supposed that il is unsafe for a North
ern man to emigrate. This is great mis'ase
asI am prepared to show, in reference. undel
my particular experience. to the States Of Soutt
Carolina, Georgia and Florida. During th'
eight or nine months have spent in the South
have experienced no Inconvenience or insul
from intercourse with the native population
although have never refused political discus
sion, and have never failed to advocate, whei
necessary. doctrines 90 foreign to South Carolina
as negro suffrage, negro education. and th
leeitimating Of the creamy by-blovs Of souther
sristocracy. The same has been the sxperieno
Of most Of ny fnends, and Of I'll the busines
m WHOM I ksSU knoVu q Dst s913uHAi