The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-09-04

scorn, the fear of few that the South
once more in adjustment with the Fed
eral government will rule this nation
The North is rich, never so rich; the
South is poor, never before so poor. The
population of the North is nearly dou.
BILE that of the South. The industry of
the North, in diversity, in forwardness
and productiveness, in all the machinery
and education required for manufactur-
ing, 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 twinkling along the edge of
a continent Of darkness. In the pres
ence of such a 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 contri-
butte, in time, most important influences
or restraints, 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 groveling interests, refuses
to discharge its share of political duty.
In such case, the South not only will
control the government, but it ought to
do it
2. 1t is feared, with more reason, that
the restoration 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
hn 81 tod hn
white population, and nursed and de-
Tended by themselves, the better it will
be for them and US. The negro is part
and parcel of Southern society. He can
not be prosperous while it is unpros
pered. It's evils will rebound upon him.
It's happiness and reinvigoration cannot
be kept from his participation. The res
toration of the South to amieable rela-
tions with the North, the reorganization
Of its industry, the reinspiration of its
enterprise and thrift will all rebound to
the freedmen's benefit. Nothing is so
dangerous to the freedmen as an un-
settled state of society in the South. On
him comes all the spite, and anger, and
caprice and revenge. He will be made
the scapegoat of lawless and heartless
men. Unless we turn the government
into vast military machine, there can
not be armies enough to protect the
freedmen while southern society remains
If Southern society is
calmed, settled, and occupied and soothed
with new hopes and prosperous indus
tries, 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 freed
men through education and industry,
to full citizenship, with all its honors
and duties.
Civilization is a growth. None can
escape that forty years in the wilderness
who travel from the Egypt OF Ignorance
to the promised land of civilization. The
freedmen must take their march. have
full faith in the results. If they have
the stamina to undergo the hardships
which every uncivilized people has un-
dergone in their upward progress. they
will in due time take their place among
us. That place cannot be bought, nor
bequeathed, 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 prosperous, so,
on the other extreme, healthy condi-
tion Of civil society in the South is in
to the welfare of the freed
men!
Refusing to admit loyal Senators and
Representatives. from the South to Con-
gress 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, howev-
er just and wise. 1t will only increase
the dangers and complicate the Difficult
ties. Whether we regard the whole pa
tion, or any section of it or clause in it,,
the first demand Of our time is, entire
reunion.
Once united, we can, by schools,
churches, a free press and increasing free
speech, attack each evil and secure ey-
cry good.
Meanwhile the great chasm which
rebellion made is not filled up. 1t grows
deeper and stretches wider Out of it
rise dread spectres and threatening
sounds. Let that gulf be closed, and
bury in it slavery, sectional animosity,
and all strifes and hatTeds
1t is fit that the brave men, who, on
sea and land, faced death to save the ma
tion, should now, by their voice and
vote, consummate what their swords
rendered possible.
For the sake of the freedman, for the
sake of the South and its millions Of our
follow countrymen. for our own sake
and for the great cause Of freedom and
civilization, l urge the immediate re.
union Of all the parts which rebellion
and war have shattered.
am truly yours,
HENRY WARD BEECHER.