Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-28

The Material and Political Stains Of
the south.
To the Editors Usros AND American. Nashville.
You requested line from me upon my
return 10 the Southwest upon The general
condition of affairs, and upon the prospects
which the future seemed to open. SHAH
endeavor briefly to comply.
Everywhere in the interior of the coun-
try. as well as in the towns, there are evil
deDces of activity, and people, who we're re-
duced to the greatest extremity, show spirit
and discrimination in graphing with the
Situation which is truly astonishing, and
every branch of business or employment IL
already crowded. The planters, however,
struggle against thousand difficulties. The
ruin Of estates is but small part They
are perplexed and worried by the labor
question. and until few days it seemed as if
the freedmen had abandoned all thought of
further occupation. More recently it is said
that they are coptractors, and on favorable
terms, bat it must be admitted that the great
est distrust prevails of their future, The
planters find it impossible to procure adj
yanees 10 work the estates. Capital is too
ands of estates are in the market for sale at
half or a quarter their former values or for
rent: but there are few transactions, Agents
offer the most inviting lists, but offer in vain.
The capital and labor which was 10 have
come from the North or Europe have not
vet appeared and the evidence 50 far is COM
plete that the Southern crops for another
year will be very short, and that million
bales Of cotton viii be very liberal esti-
mate.
The great activity which prevails and
which is so imposing to the eye ought not,
however, to deceive. 1t is no augury for
the sature. The wretched condition of
affairs at the end of the war occasioned
almost struggle for life among our people,
and all the little saving that had been
boarded up OF hidden away were brought
forth TO replenish supplies ln the utter
exhaustion there was a demand for eyery-
thing--thus the largo trade which inns
mediately sprung up. The cotton which
survived the war, and which was generally
diffused over the country furnishes the
means of keeping up this commerce. 1t was
an act of Providence that so much was
saved in the general wreck, but when that il
gone, collapse may reasonably be expected,
unless some great and unexpected relief pre-
gents itself. The idea generally prevails
and men speak glogmjly of the future. Ger
tainIy there never was such field for enter
prise as that which the South furnishes, but
the capital is wanting. So far for the
material question. i9a a
Now as TO the political. There is an in
tense feeling Of disappointment and chagrin
prevailing, snd the people who few months
ago accepted the situation, and were endeavs
oring to perform its duties in good faith, exs
press themselves with bitterness. They per-
ceive disposition in the national councils
to humble and degrade them. They are re-
CURED to make sacrifices from which their
manhood shrinks. Their honest professions
are mistrusted and the magnanimity which
might have been expected from generous
foe has not been shown, This remark does
not apply to the President whose noble I
course is universally iauded. Even those
who were called Union men in the past,
and those who were re-constructionists dur
ing the war, speak wftbo indignation. II
was nos lqr this they bargained. They pre-
dicted generous policy On the part Of the
North, and are twitted by their associates
with their over confidence. Certainly q
great change has taken place in public SEN
timent, and the radical party may take
credit 10 themselves for engendering feel
ings of alienation and hostility greater than
would have resulted from aiothep year of
war,
Njnety-niDe in the hundred of the South
ern people were devoted to the Oonfederacy,
gloried In its achievements, doubted not an
instant of its just cause and Its eventual tri-
umph, and sacrificed or was willing to sacri-
fee for il an they possessed or expected to
possess Of life or property. When the crash
came they were overwhelmed The path of
duty, however, soon opened to them. The
conquerOr was entitled to their allegiance.
They would give it freely, openly, unre-
seryedly, and the fidelity which they had
shown 10 the extinct government proves
them to DO q faithful and true and loyal
people wherever their allegiance was given.
Never in history was there a more generous
effort upon the part of the conquered to sub
init themselves with propriety and dscorum.
No repiHing, no sullenness, no covert hostil-
ity, Their work was done--fhe cause had
failed--hopelessly, and they acquiesced II
was practicable 20 have worked with the ex-
isting elements, and produced on early re-
storation Of good feelings and return of the
better days o: the republic. II was the al
tentative left, and the best men of the South
hoped for such an event. The majority of
the North had il in their power to heal up
all the old wounds and so to reconstruct so
ciety ps to make enc homogeneous mass out
of our people. Have they acted with wis
dom and prudence, moderation and justice, |
or from prejudice and passion Let them
answer. Gs s9a sicf
For one had confidence that there was a
sentiment in the North which would become |
the dominant one, and which would sustain |
the generous efforts of the President in the |
direction of decentralization and reconstruction,
and so declared myself openly and publicly. /
argue 1t from history and from know
ledge of humsn nature, and alienated some |
old associates In doing so. 1t was the clear
dictate of interest as well as Of reason | |
thought No one desired more than did |
to perpetuate the old Union upon the basis
of equal rights to all sections and the invio-
liability of the Constitution. Ifelt with Mr..
that under the Constitution it was
a Government to love, honor and serve.
deplored though l admitted the necessity
under which the South felt herself constrain-
ed 10 move. Her fortunes were mine, and
was the last to abandon them. gloried in
them. But that is all in the past / am
again a citizen of the United States, and it is
due to that Government, to which had the
option of allegiance or not (for might have
emigrsted,) that give faithful and true SER
vice, It is nay Government and my country,
and ] SHOULD do all in my power to promote
her prosperity, her honor, and her name
have entered upon that work already in con-
nection with the restoration of the South.
There Is no other power to divide allegiance
with. give ii wholly and freely or not at
all, and this believe would have been the
sentiment of our entire people, and will yet
be their sentiment if wisdom and prudence
rule the national councils God grant that
he era Of good feeling may return and that
'peedlly. Whatever may be the fortunes of
he South they win be mine, and yours,
Alcssrs. Editors, for all that are ours of
amily or possessions are within the limits
md nrn liEalr 10 remain so |