Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-05-07
GD6Io Statesrnart,
Ministers Of VVraIh.

LFrom the Macon (Ga) Journal and Messenger,
April ISL
Ministers Of SVraIh.
The NdshuiHe Banner, in the course of
very judicious editorial reflections upon
the state of the country, says:
1--WE have observed since the close of the
war, that il a Southern writer or editor de-
sires to see himself quoted by the press of
the North, he must be violent. Thought
full, liberal, well considered essays, reflect
ing the sentiments OF the larger and better
part of the community, are passed over In
silence, whilst the spiteful snappings of
peevish, and tor the most part insignificant
politicians, representing that small body of
malcOntents which exists in all times and
countries, are caught up with avidity and
produced with cclat. By this process, rab-
III newspapers in one section give strength
to rabid newspapers in the other; the cross
fire is of mutual and equal advantage"
Every newspaper reader who has had
opportunities for comparison will bear wit
ness to the force and truth of this remark.
The Northern radical press, from Memphis
and Nashville to the PenObscot, in the
opinion that vital party interest is staked
on perpetuating the civil disabilities OF the
Southern whites, catch with the greatest
eagerness at every expression of bitterness
and i'll temper in the Southern press, as so
much added to the stock of proof that the
South is still inimcal to the Union, and,
therefore, policy so agreeable to their
own views of party interest and eXpedi-
ency, Is not the less defensible upon con-
siderations of the general public welfare.
They consequently lay hold upon these es-
eapades OF Southern editors with the clutch
of miseT, and parade them in all the prom
incnce of capitals and italics as so many
evidences of the eineXtinguisba hatred of
the Southern people to the Federal Union,
and the unconquerable repugnance of the
| inhabitants South to those of the North;
and 10 give the greater weight to this vol
unteer testimony, they eXaggerate the i'm
pOrtance and credibility of the witness
while they repel his charges and insinua-
| tiOns against the North with equal venom.
Then naturally follows a rejOinder by the
Southern editor in the temper of the reply,
or perhaps even little worse, in the course
of which, to justify the character of his an
imadversion, he quotes from hisantagOnist;
and thus personal dignity and consistency
are enlisted to furnish the radical press
with still another batch of proof hot from
the oven of southern disunionism," to
show that people, in such a temper, are
| wholly unfit to be reconstructed citizens of
| the Federal Union.
In this delectable see-saw, the great sub
| stantial interests of the South and the cOun-
try are sacrificed to pets and passions as
empty and as windy as the cholic. In the
course of these unlucky contentious, and,
sometimes, wholly outside of them, we
have noticed that the parties occasionally
manifest a strong disposition to display
their wit and acrimOny at the expense of
the people of each section In general. This
Is very mischievOus; and particularly so,
when the subjects ofanimadversiOn become,
as they have lately, to considerable ex-
tent, the lCOnen of either section. The Rad
ical press have lately given us some strong
writing upon the bitterness and malice of
Southern ladies, responsive to which, and
generally as commentary upon an appro-
pirate text, we hear something about the
cOarseness, vulgarity and mercenary spir-
1t of the Northern ladies'. What can be
more intiammatOry than such stuff? ? There
Is no subject upon which an intelligent and
enlightened people are justly so sensitive
as the character and reputation Ofther wo-
men, and surely there is none upon which
the public press should be more cautious
and reluctant to venture. 1t is a practice
far more ineXcusable and irritating than
any general assaults upon the masculine
representatives in general of either section,
although these are by no means lacking
Both have tendency, swift and strong, for
evil and particularly for evil to the South,
as the weak and defcnseless section.
All this pabulum of hatred is eagerly
devoured in either section, because the evil
passions discharged on paper are so much
more piquant, racy and exciting than the
sober words of kindness and charity. A
biting sarcasm-a sweeping maledictiOn
may be conveyed in the dash of pen; but
kinder thoughts take more words and art
far less attractive and sensational.
Now we have an honest and earnest con.
viction that the great body of the Ameri.
can people desire to hush up this quarre
at once and forever, and to make the bes
possible future for both sections. But the
radical politicians are arrayed against then
in this disposition, and the latter pull every
string to confuse and bewilder this honest
purpose. Why should any portion of tn,
Southern press suffer itself to be used anC
played upon in this interest? Certainly
none of them permit it upon consideratt
assent or purpose; but there is no more
natural impulse than to return railing fol
railing.
We would most earnestly suggest ;
course of caref |, systematic self-restrain
in this particular. The order of Providence
has merged our destiny in that of the grea
American people; aud whatever resent
ments may exist from the past, or be eX
cited in thepresent, there must be genera
harmony of substantial interests South anC
North. The good or evil fortunes o
either section will be retroactive, and to {
large extent mutual. We have one coun
try-one future; and If we wisely and reso
lutely decline to keep up sectional quarrel
In any shape-it we oppose dignitied ST.
lence or calm remonstrance to spiteful in
vective-coOIness to passion-calmness tt
l-temper-moderatiO to wrath, we shal
soon sguelch this unlpcky contention. i
takes two to make or maintain quarrel
and as we abandoned our side of it, wher
the South laid down her weapons, So let he
knights of the quill carry out the spirit o
the capitulation, in declining to keep up {
tilt of words for the editication and prof
of the Radical press and party. .