The loyal Georgian. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1866-1867, 1866-02-24
From the Nationalist.
A TRIUMPH OF ideas.

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The fallacy that the position of the
whites Of the late slaveholding States is
that of asulugated people, was exposed
in my last communication. 1t was there
shown that they represent only a defeated
system. The logical consequences Of the
fallacy fall, of course, With 1t. Attention
is called to some thus overturned, whose
workings have had most hurtful practical
effects.
Oh the view that the North regarded
the South as a conquered people, it was
natural to look upon the freedom of the
negro as the symbol of Northern mas
terry The consequence is, that freedom
has become. the object of unmerited
hatred. Il was, however, shown that this
war was not simple rising against gov
ernment, but the effort of slave labor to
overmaster free labor, and bring the con~
tinent under its feet. The negro, as a
slave, sym olized the Southern idea as
freeman, he represents that Of the
North. A disloyal press here paints, for
effect the North triumphant, as if unit.
Nothing, however, is farther from the
truth. As there were few here, who
opposed slavery so, at the North, there
were millions who went hand in hand with
it in its struggle, aud feel its defeat to-
day as bitterly as the South does. The
conflict was that of ideas, and the negro
has been throughout only a symbol in
others hands. His freedom now is no
mark of triumph. That freedom was
the issue at stake, when the first gun was
fired, FIVE years ago, Northern politi-
clans, it is true, tried to blink this fact
out of sight. No man Of sense, however
was ever for moment deceived. TIE
tinid tried long to eyade meeting it, but
higher powers chastised them into taking
courage.
The North suffered. defeat so long as
it cut itself eff from the strength that
ideas alone can give to the sword, and
acted simply in the name Of violated
forms of law. 1t was without sympathy
throughout the civiIiz d world. Had it
persisted in this course few months
longer, the South would have secured re-
cognition, and with it victory Adams
in England, and Dayton in France, earns
eBtly and persistently urged decree Of
emancipation, as the only buIwark against
foreign Intervention. And what was the
meaning of the emanc'p patton procIama-
ton, but declaration that this war was
not mere rising of disseminated people;
that something more was involved than
the abstract right to secede; that in
truth, it was slavery in battle with free
Institutions; and that this, and not scces., I
sion, was the enemy whose attacks were
to be overcome.
Let us, then, accept the freedom of the
negro for what it is--pot as that creation
of disordered fancies, the subjugation of
the South-but the overthrow of slavery
Let us not Cypress the eolored man with
special legislation, with vagraut acts and
draymen ordinances; but rather gene
rously lend hand to lift him, as quickly
as possible, into the positions in which
he may become the most useful member
of the state. His lot, once for ali, is
with us here. A higher power has de-
creed that it shall be SO. His interests,
therefore, are not different from those of
the community in which he lives. What
is good for the people as a whole, that is
also good for linn What is bad for him,
is equally hurtful to them. The state
viii be loser, 10 proportion to his ignor-
ance and dcbasement. 1t will be gamer,
according as he is intelligent, industrious
and prosperous. 1t is the part of Wis
dom, therefore, to give the freedmen edu-
cation, that he may be enlightened ), a
free path. to 60 where there may be call
for his handiqork; and security to enjoy
the fruit of his labor, that he may be
encouraged to thriftiness. =. u.
Chief~Justice Chase received visit,