The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-04-30
EFrom the n. Y. observer.
Progress of Loyal Feeling.

fFrom the n. Y Observer.
Progress of Loyal Feeling.
We watch, with anxiety, the mani
festations Of Southern feeling toward
the Government of the United States.
1t is well known to all the readers Of
49, tl,at,-Me have strenuously
urged the SpeedleSt possible resTUrd-
ton of the insurgent States to their
old status in the Union, and that we
desire the return of peace IN all rela-
tions, civil, social and ecclesiastical.
1t will surprise some to know that We
have pursued this course, while many
at the South are writing to us that we
are going too fast, that the state OF
feeling does not justify immediate res
toration, that so much of the war
spirit still prevails, that the people
cannot send Union men to Congress,
But we have felt Bhat kindness was
the most efectual means of concilia-
ton, and that the war had forever set
tied the question of secession and ma
/ tionality. We have been willing to
trust the South, and to aid in building
up her waste places, and to restore the
harmony Of the Republic with the
least possible delay.
But we are panied by the necessity
of saying that the information we get
from the South does not encourage us
to labor in this direction. Particu-
larly is the intelligence unfavorable
in regard to the ministers of the South
A pastor in one of the Southern
States writes as follows:
1t is o fact that the ministers of the Cos
pei in the South, who have generally re-
! turned to their parishes are almost with
| out exception bitterly opposed to the
Government, and are exertfng their infiu-
/ ence against loyalty and reconstruction.
| 1t is the opinion of candid loyal men, that
they are exerting stronger. influence in
that direction than any other class OF men
| in the South. l fa
These ministers teach their people not to
/ listen to any propositions for aid in supply
i ing preaching for the destitute or organ
izing and furnishing Sunday Schools,
as'aIess these funds be put into the hands of
| true Southern men, go for their support
| and to advance their principles.
/ A Christian gentleman, who has recently
/ visited every town in nine counties in this
ct Ufre pest " Hefd no sNs6fftffil
ern missionary or Sunday School agent
would be safe from personal violence The
spirit is bitter, very bitter, and SO far as 7
! can see, grows worse.
OF what use, then, Is it that we at
the North advocate the restoration of
the South to her status in the Union.
when the clergy still preach hostility
to the Government, and the Mayor of
Mobile, with the appreciation of his
fellow-cltizens, pays public honors to
President Davis +? To us it seems
wonderful that men can expect to have
the confidence, support. and material
aid of the North, while thew thus CON
tlnue to nurture. and spread feeling
of disloyalty and positive hostility to
the Government under which thew
live. ~ f8
We wish that we had more evidence
of better state of things. IF any of
our readers in the South will write to
us and give us facts to show that the
ministers are studying things that
make for peace and brotherly love be-
tween the North and the South; that
such sentiments as Mayor Withers'
are not prevalent; that there is a gra-
dual improvement in the tone of feel
ing toward the Union and the Govern
ment, we shall be more than glad to
lay them before the puplic.
II our Churches are to be reunited,
and the Southern States to be repre-
scented in Congress during the present
generation of living men, we must
| have no such representative toasts as
Mayor Withers, and better exhibi=
ton from the Southern pulpit.
One of the Southern religious pa
pers speaks of A. I'll. Stephens views.
and the fact of his electfoE to the
UAited States Senate, as evidence of
| the improved tone of hubble senti-
ment. We hail sacA sentiments as
his with intense satisfaction. But he
has been always regarded as a Union.
man at heart, believingin the abstract
| right of secession, but denying its ex-
pediency under any existing circum-
/ stances. There are obvious reasons
why such man, with his vast politi-
cal Influence, should be selected by
the Legislature of Georgia to repre-
sent the State in the United States
Senate. It is also good sign. And
\ because we have honestly undertaken
: to advocate the rights of loyal Union
men to seats in Congress, and the
duty of Congress to exclude all others,
we shall be glad to have testimony to
the existence and growth of sentl-
ment of earnest devotion to that Gov
eminent which is to be the only
power to rule this land while the ma
ton lives.
But we know that the present gem
Grafton will pass away, and new gen
Grafton will take their places, before
the South will be represented in Con
gress, if in public meetings jeff. Davis
continues to be toasted as a patriot,
and the ministers of the gospel CON