The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-09-19

The Richmond Times very truthfuy remarks
that the mind of the Southern people seems to
be taking n practicrl turn in very marked and
eminent degree. They are determined to re.
pair their fortunes, and they will succeed. With
that tremendous viii! and energy which sustain.
ed hopeless contest for four wears against
overwhelming odds, they are now diligently
engaged IN repairing the wreck Of all that was
left them at the conclusion of most disastrous
struggle. The thoughts OF our people are not
directed to politics they n re tent upon the i'm.
provement of their physical and material well.
being. They are seeking ITO lay up something
for rainy day." to repair the damages which
the war inflicted upon an inheritance which,
they had hoped to transmit unimpaired to their
child rem.
There are many striking changes wrought in
the habits and customs of our people by the
stress OF circumstances. They can no long er
lead those lives Of ease and idlenes. to which
slavery was not only a temptation, but In a
measure rendered almost unavoidable In IN @
man OF wealth and leisure. The village postof'
flee, inn, crossroad grocery and Courtrgreen
arc no longer the scenes upon which idle, dss.
pated men, youRg and old, spend the g-eater
portion Of their time. 1t is true that whskey
10 dear and greenbacks scarce but these con.
sderations do not wholly explain the moral aud
social phenomena which we are called upon to
witness. The people hare changed Nth the
fmes and their circumstances, and wisely real.
II
ise the necessity Of conforming to all the neces.
sites OF their altered condition. The vapid, loud
mou,hcd politician is no more listened TO with
rapt attention and curiosity, and he has sense
enough to hold his tongue where the people
take so little interest in politics that he would
not secure an audience. Speech making is now
voted bore. 1t consumes valuable time, and
the people find it difficult TO discover how clio,
quent harangues on the hustings are at nlI like.
ly to tighten taxes or to help the political stua-
ton. They have vague suspicion that too much
talking brought war and ruin upon us, and that
those are best of now who think much and say
little. We dare say they are right; nor can It
be denied that there is world OF philosophy
In their reasonngs upon this subject
The revolution in sentiment and action 10
which We have alluded is confined to no par.
ticular class at the South II pervades all classes
of our white population. The changed coDdi,
tion of affairs, like new pair Of shoes or boots
may rub and pinch at first but ultimately may
be worn with ease and comfort. Ours are not a
people to sit forever whining and repining by
the banks of the stream of human progr ess
and watch the remnants Of their prosperity
floating off upon its surface. No; they have
enough Anglo-Saxon energy and courage left
TO dash into the waters and rescue the fragments
of whatever may be left them worth preserving.
Those who think that the South, like great.
moral coward, will fall PROSTATE and grovel
forever in the dust and ashes of despair, are
grievoasl, mistaken. She will do no such thing;
but conscious OF her merit and untarnished
honor she will, ere long, as,ound the world by
achicvementsin every domain Of science aud
art.