Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-01
The Loyalty of the South.
Observationsa and Conclusions
of Gen. Granger

ODSOA s~eASAAa eNANA NfOAOAS-SA
Of Gen. Granger
From the report Of Major General Coz
DON GRANGER, to the President under IN
structions ''to examine carefully into the
disposition Of the Southern States toward
the Government of the United States" We
take the subjoined concluding paragraphs;
Had a policy Of wise and statesmanlike
Cancellation been followed out Immediately
after the close Of the war, il is more than
probable that the condition and disposition
Of the people would now be far better than
they are But on the subjugation Of the
South the national authority in the lately
rebellous States was divided and broken up
into opposing factions, whose action greatly
hindered the re-establishment Of civil law
and good order, 40 much needed among peO-
pie demoraIized by the most demoralizing Of
all agencies-eivii war The country was
flooded with Treasury agents who, with
their accomplices and imitators, feeced the
people right and leh, returning into the
United States Treasury fer all the enormous
amount Of property they seized and contis-
Gated barely enough TO pay the cost Of con-
fiscation. Agents Of the Freedmen's Bureau
stepped between the planter and the laborer,
stirring up strife, perpetuating antagonism,
and often adding their quota OF extortion
and oppression. On every hand the people
saw themselves robbed and wronged by
agents and self-appointed agents protesting
20 act under the sanction Of the United
States Government Need II be wondered
at that among a community thus dealt with,
powerless 10 resist and too weak and pros
trated for successful complaint, some bitter
ness and ill-feeIing should arise None,
but a brave and well-meaning people could
have endured Increasingly all that the
South has undergone.
In prosecuting this inquiry ! hardly
deemed Il fair 20 ask more than what had
been the actions Of the people Of the South
toward the General Government. With their
private opinions, their sympathies and their
prejudices, / had nothing 10 do. \ ct for
more thorough understanding Of the ques-
tion ] made il a part Of my mission TO inves-
tigate even these. ! found they had uni
versally complied with thecOnditions granted
and accepted at the surrender Of their armies
and cause. ! found that they were carrying
out with good faith and alacrity the require
ments of the constitutional amendment abol-
ishing slavery. and that Ia all the State,
except Mississippi and Texas, the famous
civil rights bill had been anticipated by the
action of the State Legislatures previous to
7ts passage by Congress. Further than
this, / found that in the Reputation Of every
dollar known as the Confederate debt, the
same prompt action had been taken by the
State authorities, and had been universally
endorsed by the people; and ! neither saw
nor heard any disposition, or anything that
pointed towards disposition, to repudiate
the national debt, or TO revive the institution
Of slavery.
But while ihe Southern people are thus
loyal, and have fulfilled all the require
ments asked of them by the Federal Gov
ernment, il is impossible to disguise the fact,
and the better class Of citizens do not at
tempt 20 disguise il, that there is among
them a deep feeling and strong appre-
hensiOn rs to the cause OF their long
continued exclusion from Congress. They
believe that il is part Of a set plan for per-
petuating the existence Of the political party
now in the ascendent, and that the question
Of suffrage, readiustment of representation,
and taxation are excuses for still longer
delay. Thus regardless Of the great inter
esls. not only Of the suffering South, bat Of
the whole country, burdened with debt and
laboring under severe embarrassment,
found the prevailing opinion among the
most intelligent citizens MS well as among
those most anxious for an early restoration
of the Union, 10 be- that If representation
and an equal and Just cooperation in the
administration of Federal affairs were much
longer withheld from the Southern States,
feeling Of Indifference would spring up to-
ward taking any part in filling Federal Off
ces. and more particularly toward retlling
their seats In Congress; that the people, in
fact would stay away from the polls, and
allow the election TO go by default 20 the
great detriment OF the country at large.
This feeling Of indifference, indeed, is already
manifesting itself and is rapidly increasing,
so much so that were il not for few per-
sons in each Southern State who have found
il necessary for their existence to live upon
aud hold Office, and whose haunis and occu.
pations have hitherto been at the Federal
capital. / do not believe that any clamor ioi
representation would be heard.
What is needed TO restore harmony and
prosperity TO the entire country, both Nortl
and South Is closer and otter acquaintance
with each other. / have been astonished to
notice how little people, even whose socla
relations arc all Southern, know Of the true
state OF leellhg ~ ttitt hcOtiu'i y. t'N ''NJ
We need greater political, social, and com
mercial freedom, more frequent intercourse
and a kinder appreciation Of each others pc
cnliarities. The advantages TO the countr,
in It's present financial stress Of reunion q
hesrt and sentiment would be beyond emu
meralion. The broad lands Of the iertil
South are now lying almost in waste 70
want of means and capital 60 cultivate them
when every acre Of the beueRcent soil nigh
be a gold mine 20 It's p0ssessor, were the po
litical relations Of the people better under
stood and acted upon.
have the honor 10 be, your most ob'
dient servant GORDON GRANGER,
Brevei Major General, L. ). \.