Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-08-30
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
WILMINGTON, N. G., AUGUST "a, 1866.
Labor.

One of the results of the has disclosed
the fact that Southern chvalry does not prescribe
labor. as it has always been falsely contended at
the North, and by indifference andsilence, in some
degree admitted at the South. The history OF the
world does not furnish parallel to the cheerful
ness and zeal with which people, who having
staked and lost their all in the issue of battle went
to work. as has characterized the people of the
South. Failing in one undertaking they do not
become discouraged, but Immediately set about to
test the probabilities of another To excite their
greatest enthusiasm and call forth their greatest
energies, the work must only be honorable
Ex-Confederates at work all over this Land.
The mightiest chieftain among them-the consum-
mate military leader, who with half clad, poorly
fed and equipped army, never more than third,
and frequently less than fourth, the numbers OF
his adversares, for four years kept one OF finest
and best furnished armies ever organized at bay
and on more than thirds of the battle fields re-
NAMED master of the situation, now adorns the
presidency of college with all the ability and
zeal that distinguished him as military leader;
and to-day, in his more humble position, COM
mands the respect of mankind in q greater de-
gree if possible, than when in the battles around
Richmond he compelled Mcclellan to seek refuge
under the guns of his fleet, or drove the magnif-
cent army of Hooker from its Notifications upon
the heights of Charlottesville, or from the Will
derness to Petersburg, made the overwhelming
legons of Grant pay the terrible cost of their con-
fdence and temerity.
The illustrious example thus set has not been
lost upon the subordinate officers and men OF our
armies To-day throughout the South every grade
of employment is filled by men who have distin-
guished themselves in the service, and while we
point with pride to the noble soldier who fills the
Gubernatorial Chair of Mississippi, still we can
see the badge of honor ornanenting the soiled
and worn garments. "faded gray of men in the
most humble employments their badges telling
so eloquenty of the past, are not surer evidences
of future success than are their contented faces
and manly earnestness. These men are the true
heroes of the war and are as muchto Recommended
in private life as they wero deserving of praise on
the battlefield.
The avidity with which all classes at the South
have gone to work is no feature Of the South
ern character, although they have heretofore
been regarded by the majority of the Northern
citizens as adverse to manual labor. Previous to
the war, with very large class with us, work was
not necessity, consequently it was not done, and
as the North saw the South in great measure
through the wealthy visitors at their watering
places, at Operas and Ball Rooms Of their cities,
and at the counters of Stewart, opinions had been
formed relative to our wealth and social life, and
the temperament and general manners OF our peo-
pie, which were adverse to habits Of industry and
labor Many regarded this section a great plan
tation, and the title of Southern planter was
synonym of all that was and is desirable in life.
Theterm conveyed to their minds palatial residen-
ces, beautiful groves, extensive fields whose hap
ply owners spent the winter in luxurious ease and
social enjoyments and passed the summer in cost
~ idleness, amid the mazes of the dance at Sara
toga, hunting and fishing at the White Mountains,
Or enjoying the breezes and baths at Newport
Such, indeed, was the Northern view of Southern
life.
Better would it have been for the unity OF the
sections and the prosperity of the country, had as
large proportion of the Northern people visited
the South as the reverse. Happy would be the
influence of the present influx of Northerners
among US, were they not for the greater part
the quintessence of Radicalism, sent as political
missionaries and fnanciers to teach the freedmen
hostility to the whites, and improve political
theories at expense. Certainly there
are among who come IN good faith, that have
learned much of Southern character, which must
have favorable influence upon them. Business,
if not social intercourse, must have developed the
fact that energy and labor not antagonistlcal
to Southern habits, and that work regard
ed as honorable among us, but most are determin-
ed to reap the reward promised the faithful labor