New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-09-06

WWIIISsfUH
of the ezed States by the fear chiefly of its effects
upon parties and upon freedmen.
1t is said that ifsadmitted to Congress the South
ern Senators and Representatives will ooaesce with
Northern Democrats and rule the country Is this
nation, then, to remain dismembered to serve the
ends OF parties? Have we learned no wisdom by
the history of the last ten years. in which just this
course OF sacrificing the nation to the eXigencies
OF parties plunged US into rebellion and war?
Even admit that the power would pass into the
hands OF party made up of Southern men, and
the hitherto dishonored and misled Democracy of
the North, that power could not be used just as
they pleased. The war has changed, not alone
institutions, but IDEAS The whole country has
advanced. Public sentiment is exalted far beyond
what Il has been at any former period. new
party would, like river, be obliged to seek its
channels in the already existing slopes and forms
of the continent,
We have entered new era of liberty. The
style of thought is freer and more noble. The
young men of our times are regenerated. The
great army has been school. and hundreds of
thousands of men are gone home to preach atruer
and nobler view of human rights. All the indus
trial interests of society moving with increased
wisdom toward intelligence and9iberty. Every
where, in churches, in literature, in natural sci
ences, in physical industries in social questions,
as well as in politics, the nation feels that the
winter is over and new spring hangs in the hOri-
zon and works through all the elements In this
happily changed and advanced condition of things
no party OF the retrograde can maintain itself.
Everything marches, and parties must march.
hear with wonder, and shame, and scorn the
fear of few that the South once imore in adjust
ment with the federal government will rule this
nation! The North is rich-never so rich; the
South is poor--neYer before so poor. The popu-
lation of the North is nearly double that Of the
South. The industry of the North, in diversity in
forwardness and productiyeness, in all the ma
chinery and education equiredfor manufacturing,
is half century in advance of the South.
Churches in the North crown every hill, and
schools swarm in every neighborhood; while the
South has but scattered lights, at long distances
like lighthouses twinking along the edge of a
continent of darkness. In the presence of such
contrast, how mean and craven is the fear that
the South will rule the policy of the land
That it will have an influence, that it will con
tribute, in time, most important influences or re-
straints, we are glad to believe But if it rises at
once to the control of the government, it will be
because the North, demoralized by prosperity and
besotted by groVelling interests, refuses to dis
charge its share of political duty. In such a case
the South not only will control the government
but it ought to do it.
2. 1t is feared with more reason, that the resto-
ration of the South to her full independence will
be detrimental to the freedmen. The sooner we
dismiss from our minds the idea that the freedmen
can be classified, and separated from the white
population, and nursed and defended by them
selves, the better it will be for them and US. The
negro is part and parcel of Southern society. He
cannot be prosperous while it is unprospered
Its evils will rebound upon him. Its happi-
ness and refrigeration cannot be kept from his
participation.
The restoration of the South to amicable rela-
tons with the North, the reorganization of its in
dustry, the Transportation of its enterprise and
thrift, will all rebound to the freedmen's benefit.
Nothing is so dangerous to the freedmen as an I'M
settled state of society in the South. On him
comes all the spite and anger and caprice and re-
venge. He will be made the scapegoat of lawless
and heartess men. Unless we turn the govern
ment into vast military machine there cannot be
armies enough to protect the freedmen while
Southern society remains insurrectionary. If
Southern society is Gained, settled, and occupied,
and soothed, with new hopes and prosperous in
dustres, no armies will be needed. Riots will
subside, lawless hangers on will be driven Off or
better governed, and way will be gradually
opened up to the freedman, through education and
industry, to full citizenship with all its honors and
duties.
Civilization is growth. None can escape that
forty years in the wilderness who travel from the
Egypt of Ignorance to the promised land of civil
cation. The freedmen must take their march.
have full faith in the results. If they have the
stamina to undergo the hardships which every un-
civilized people has undergone in their upward
progress, they will in due time take their place
among us. Thatplac cannotbe bought nor be-
queathed, nor gained by slight of hand. 1t will
come to sobriety, virtue, industry and frugality.
AS the nation cannot be sound until the South is
SO, on the other extreme, healthy
condition of civil society in the South is indispen-
sable to the welfare Of the freedmen.
Refusing to admit loyal Senators and Repre-
sentatiYes from the South to Congress will not
help the freedmen. 1t will not secure for them
the vote. 1t. will not protect them. 1t will not
secure any amendment of our Constitution, how.
ever just and wise 1t will only increase the dan
gers and complicate the difficulties. Whether we
regard the whole nation or any section of it. or
class in it, the first demand of our time is entire
reunion
Once united we can, by schools, churches,
free press and increasing free Speech attack each
evil and secure every good.
Meanwhile, the great chasm which rebellion
made is not filed up. 1t grows deeper and
wider Out of it rise dread specters
and threatening sounds, Let that gulf be closed,
and bury in it slavery, sectional animosty and all
strifes and hatreds
1t is fit that the brave men, who, on sea and
land, faced death to save the nation, should now
by their voice and vote, eonsdmmate what their
swords rendered possible,
MFor the sake of the freedmen, for the sake of
the South and its millions of our fellow country
men, for our own sake, and for the great cause Of
freedom and civilization Iurge the immediate re-
union Of all parts which rebellion and war have
shattered am truly yours,
HENRY WARD BEECHER.