Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-29
THE POOR WHITES OF THE
SOETTH


posed.
Its origin IS probably traceable to the ira
ditional characterization Of the non-slave-
holders Of the South by the negroes, as
poor white trash" white trash" etc. Be-
fore the late war, the Abolitionists Of the
North sought to infame this class Of our
population against those whom they denomi-
mated the slave aristocracy," by APP
pealing 10 the most degrading passions
Of our nature, and endeavoring to show
an antagonism of interest and social
caste. This utterly failed The war came
on, and the non-slaveholding white men
Of the South became the bone and
sinew Of the Southern armies. Their
sacrifices will rival, in degree and unselfsh-
ness, the most noted in the worlds history,
while their endurance and faith, their devo-
ton and courage, their heroism and perse-
verance will evoke the admiration Of man
kind, in all ages and countries, where the
virtues Of honesty of purpose, heroic bra
8
the severest trials, are repeated and ap-
plauded.
The history Of the poor whites" of the
South, before, during, and since the war-at
the baliot-box and in the feld-wherever
they have been called upon, will, if properly
written, continue to be read with interest
and with appreciation and pleasure every
where. No people, no class of people, not
under compulsion, in any country or for
any cause, ever displayed in a greater de-
gree the higher attributes and nobler
qualities which God has given
to His children 10 their honor, than
those who are now the subject of contemp-
tuous scorn and vulgar sneers of the North
ern Radicals. Habitually selfreliant, indie
pendent in their habits of thought and &C
ton, Injured from birth TO honest and virtu-
GUS industry, they only ask now the protec-
ton Of just and equal laws in the tolls Incl
dent 10 their respective vacations. Trained
in the school of temperance and economy,
of the political and social bandits who
brought the Union to the verge of extreme
peril, and who now seek to elevate the negro
above them, they only ask to be allowed to
assert their manhood and honor under re-
publican laws and institutions. They pro-
test against the violent and unjust encroach-
merits of that temporary power which threat
ems at the same time TO ovcrturn the laws of
God and TO subvert the essential principles
Of the Government under which they are
reared. If they are not allowed this, then
public liberty, if not already ended, will
speedily reach its close.
If the "poor whites of the South have
ever been distinguished, as a class, for any
thing, it has been for honesty, sincerity and
directness and simplicity of purpose. 1t is
to such people that every free government
must look for its strength in time of invasion
and danger. These now abused people are
as true and faithful TO the Constitution and
Government of the United States as any
within its borders. If we are to continue
united people, these same men and their
children, will add as much strength to the
nation, and present as willing and solid
wall of flesh in is defense in future perils az
any other equal number which it can count.
II should be recollected however, that the
military strength of all popular governments
depends more on the affections than on the
numbers Of their people; and if those who
are 10 constitute the future defense and re-
source of this country are to be tainted,
jeered and spit upon by the use Of vulgar
epithets-degraded by exclusion from the
usual and necessary rights Of freemen-
placed, by legislative enactment, in the scale
of life and society below, and at best but the
equal of, the negro, how is it to be expected
that their confidence and affections can go
out in warm embrace of that government
whose beneficence is thus demonstrated
These are thoughts and facts which seem
not to have found entrance in the brain and |
heart of the Radical leaders of the North, or
the same class of men who seek to become
so in the South. They obstinately shut |
their eyes TO all such considerations, and |
madly pursue that line f thought and ac-
lion which, if successful, will make the de-
'truction of public liberty a condition prece-
lent to a more perfect union.