Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-24
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PRosCRIBED.

We print on the first page of this paper
an article from the Springfield, Mass,
Rendition. We ask particular atten-
ton to it. That many of the facts it
states are not facts, we have no doubt,
and that it has suggested much that 10
true, we have reason to be assured.
There is NOT any hostility in the South
10 Union men because they are Union
men II there is hostility to a class
among us claiming to be Union men, it
is because of the intoerant, proscrptiVe
spirit they manifest They would deny
to those who have been connected with the
late war on the Southern side, all those
privileges usually accorded to citizenship.
They propose to tax the Southern people,
and yet deny to them the constitutional
right of representation. They propose
an insignificant minority-to govern and
dispose of, absolutely, the interests of
the great majority In short, they pro-
pose, by denying solitary privilege of
selfgovernment to the South, to become
the masters Of 1he Southern people. 1t
is such madness, such wanton assump-
tions az these that make the i'll blood,
and the capital for the Radical party.
Every one of the class of persons we
have referred to is here to promote his
private interest His business, if he has
any, is with the Southern people. 1t is
from them he derives his sustenance and
his wealth. II is true that he has right
to live in the South 1t is true that he
has right to claim the protection of So |
ciety. But he has advanced far beyond |
that He himself claims to be society,
and to have the right TO govern the
people
If there is hostility to such a man, he
is responsible for it. Without the South
ern people, whom he proposes to divest
of citizenship and to rule, he would not
be here at all The country is free to
him, but would he live in wilderness
alone and without profits ? 1t is not
the country, it is the people, the South
ern people, that bring him here. He
wishes to make profits from trading with
them, not from living in the country
And 20 it results, that while men appeal
10 the passions of the-North by assert
ing that their lives are not safe in the
South, the only ground for the complaint
they make is, that the Southern people
denounce their intolerant assumptions
and prescriptions, and refuse to enrich
them. They live in Southern houses, go
TO Southern churches, sell to Southern
people, walk Southern streets, ride on
Southern highways, eat Southern bread,
and yet complain that that they are un-
safe in the country. We wish TO as
sure them that they are quite well
come TO live in the country. They may
plunge as far into the forests as they like,
and remain in perfect safety. They have
the right TO do so, and the Southern peo-
pie will protect them. II is not the coun-
try they are excluded from They are
here on account of the people, the rebels,
as they style them These rebels own
land and grow cotton. Cotton makes
our cities, creates business, brings our
population together, and forms society.
The Northern merchants come down
here 10 trade with the rebels The school
master and mistress come down here TO
teach Southern children and earn rebel
money All classes come for purposes
Of gain, not 70 be had out Of the country,
hut from the rebel people But for the
rebel people, they would not be here
Now these persons, living among us, and
deriving their gains from US, assume to
disfranchise us and thus, while we feed
them, receive at their hands a mark Of
degradation.
We do not wish to be misunderstood
We have no reference to Northern people
generally. 1t ia only to an intolerant
class. The great mass of Northern peo-
pie in the South who do not persecute us,
but who identity with us, are recognized
SIS brothers They will be patrOnized, and
received into society on a footing with
Southern people How is it in Mem
phis7 Is there any attempt here to pro-
scribe such men as Judge WILLIAMS,
Judge PrRrrss, Capt CAMERON, aud
of other Northern nen2 They
DO not wish to prescribe us The inter
IS, of the Southern people is their inter
.st. and there is no sort Of conflict, but
he very best of feeling. The same is
rus Of the whole South. We desire
northern emigration. We want North
,rn eperry. But we dstest those who
.Ould prescribe US, aud then complain
hat We dislike them.
M AND MRS. DAVIS.