The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-08
PLAIN TALK TO PLAIN PEOPLE.


the prospects were all bright and en-
We were surrounded on every
side by rosy-hued evidences of returning
The war was over, the
soldiers were returning
home, all protesting their eagerness to
forgive and be forgiven, and only asked
to be permitted to enjoy the quiet COM
forts of peace in the pursuit of happi-
ness They were glad to be released
from the dangers and hardships of their
enforced service in the ranks of the
conquered army, and rejoiced that the
war was over. Their frank professions
of friendship were met in the same gem
erous spirit by those who had been
the staunch and loyal sup
porters Of the Government, and all
mingled together in the most pleasing,
social and familiar intercourse Feuds
and animosities seemed to be buried, and
we had hoped were forgotten. All par
ties entered fully into this pleasing COM
promise, and appeared to be determined
to perpetuate the reign of good feeling
and mutual concession. We had, i'll
fact, formed sort of mutual admira-
ton society here in Virginia, and the
only rivalry seemed to consist in who
could most admire and most praise the
other. The returned Confederates were
delighted with the magnanimity of the
loyalists, and the latter were equally
pleased with the modest bearing and
friendly tone of those who had so re
Gently been in arms against their coun.
try. This state of good feeling among
the people had the happiest effect upon
aur com nnereial and material interests,
both at home and abroad. Business IN
all departments took courage, and new
life was impaired to all branches; and
capitalists abroad, learning how happily
all our differences were being adjusted
and settled upon the basis of mutual
forgiveness of the past, rushed lither
to invest and make their homes among
us. Men of capital and enterprise Hooked
to the South from all sections of the
North to view the richness of the land,
and were pleased with the appearance OF
things, and many determined to remain
and make this their future abiding
place, while we were daily Hooded
with inquiries for information as to the
prospects of business here from men
who desired to seek more southern
homes. For few months we went
on prospecting, and to prosper; Norfolk
was on the high road to fortune and to
greatness. Capital, and energy, and
industry, and talent of every descrip
ton and grade, We're about to flow in
this direction.
But the prospects were too dazzling,
and like the blazing glory of the SUMS
full rays, they blinded some who had
not taken the precaution to guard their
ewes by the lenses of common sense and
prudence, and these people adopted the
most extravagant and chimereal ideas
of the suddenly acquired importance OF
this section. They at once conceived a
notion that capital and population would
rush in upon them too fast, and that the
old popuiation here would be sup
planted by the cunning Yankees, and
that their Virginia aristocracy would be
contaminated by coming in contact with
the plebeians from the Northern States.
The oyster-bed aristocracy was afraid OF
the Goldfish and shoddy infusion, and
so they began to cast around them for
means TO keep back the Northern hordes
that were expected to invade the land,
change the indolent habits of the peo-
pie, and demoralize the patrician society
of the first families. They went to
work earnestly to get up strong feeling
against the "detested Yankees as they
style the Northern people, who have
dared to exercise their constitutional
right of coming TO .Virginia--as they
would to go to Calfornia-aud settling,
They would render their residence in
the State intolerable at least, if they
could not drive them forth either by
law or by force. They would subject
them to social annoyances and inconve-
niences, and make them feel their infe-
riority to the native Virginian, and
throw all the obstacles possible in the
way of their business success. A dis
elimination should be made between
the yirginian and the Yankee, and, il
would be considered a great crime to
patronize a Northern man or TO encour-
age him. They must be starved out
The property owners put up their rents
and asked such exorbitant prices fol
their unimproved land, that none but al
insane person w0bld think of renting
or purchasing. Then they began te
grow insultingly disloyal in their sentl
ments aud actions. Every concession
made to them by the Government they
seized upon as mere act of justice, fol