The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-09-14
A ChNnRR.

Aho 4s1C1nOlo tHtSo Ad0 WIG 1Ob-
lowing note of the change now going
on at the South:
The mind of the Southern people
seems to be taking a practical turn Ia
q very marked and eminent degree,
They are determined to repair their
fortunes, and they will succeed.
With that tremendous will and ener-
gy which sustained q hopeless contest
for four years against overwhelming
odds, they are now diligently en-
gagged in repairing the wreck of all
of u most disastrous struggle. The
thoughts Of our people are not direct
ed to politics-they are bent upon
the improvement Of their physical
and material well-being. They are
seeking to lay up something for a
rainy day; to repair the damages
which the war inflicted upon an in
Leritance which they had hoped to
transmit unimpaired to their chill
dren.
There are many striking changes
wrought i'll the habits and customs of
our people by the stress of circum-
stances. They can no longer lead
those lives of ease and idleness to
which slavery was not only q tempta-
ton, but, in measure, rendered al
most unavoidable in the man of
wealth and leisure. The village post
Office, inn, cross road, grocery and
court-green are no longer the scenes
upon which idle, dissipatcd men,
young and old, spend the greater por-
ton of their time. 1t is true, that
whiskey is dear ahd greenbacks
scarce; but these considerations do
not wholly explain the moral and so
cial phenomena which We are called
upon to witness. The people have
changed with the times and their
circumstances, and wisely realize the
necessity of conforming to all the
necessities of their altered condition.
The vapid, loud-mouthed politician,
is no more listened to with rapt at
tention aud curiosity, and he has
sense enough to hold his tongue
where the people take so little in
terest in politics that he would not
secure an audience. Speech making
Is now voted a bore. 1t consumes
valuable time, and the people find it
difficult to discover how eloquent
harangucs on the hustings are at
all likely TO Tighten taxes or to help
the political situation. They have II
vague suspicion that too much talk
ing brought war and ruin upon us.
and that those are best oil now who
think much and say little. We dare
say they are right; nor can it be de
MED that there is world OF philoSo-
ply III their reaSonings upon this
subject.
The revolution in sentiment and
action to which we have alluded, is
confined to no particular class at the
South; it pervalcs all classes Of our
white population. The changed con-
dition of affairs, like II new pair Of
shoes or boots, may rub and pinch
at first, but ultimately may be worn
with ease and comfort Ours arc not
q people to sit forever whining and
repinlng by the banks of the stream
OF human progress and watch tnc
remnants of their prosperity floating
Off upon its surface. No; they have
enough AnSlo-SaXon energy and cou-
rage left to dash into tho waters and
rescue the fragments OF whatcvcr may
be left them worth preserving. Those
| who think that the South, like Il
great moral coward, will fall pros
tratc and grovel forever in the dust
and ashes Of despair. are grievously
mistaken. She vii. do no such
thing; but conscious Of her merit and
untarnishcu honor, she WILL ere long,
astound the world by achievements
IN every domain of science and art
STEVENS MAKES ASoTHEr SPEECH