Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-03-16
FROM THE SOUTH.

Especial Correspondents of the Fremont Journa.l
Mn. REDwAY-Dear Sir: Having of late
been mixing pretty freely among the physical
and political elements down here in Dixie, /
seize upon few moments to give you hasty
sketch. Within the last ten days 1 have con-
versed freely with lawyers, doctors, judges,
ex-rebel officers, large and small planters,
"white trash and the inevitable "nigger," " in
the States of Kentucky, Alabama and Tennes-
see. l viii give you some deductions from my
observations, drawn with as little prejudice as
am capable of And frs l will say,
tnat it is difficult to find man who will not
tell you he was strenuously opposed to seces-
sion until his State went out of the Union; af-
ter which and on account of which he support
ed the rebellion in good earnest and in good
conscience. There are few of more principle,
who say that when their State went out they
could do nothing for the Union and did as lit
tie for rebellion as possible.
But thereis one great fact looming up in the
vision of every Southern man, woman and
child, which is that there has been WAR, and
behind that war a great North. So much is
conceded on this point that you do not have to
argue it even with the bar-room bragadocio.-
Yet the latter claim that they stand precisely
where they did before Lees surrender. heard
a man remark, who was on his way home from
the Nashville Convention, or mass meeting,
held on the 23d ult., in support of the Presidents
policy, ''that State if it saw fit had the right
to secede, and though God knew we have had
fighting enough, yet if my State should secede
tomorrow, would go with her and fight an
other four years; but if Government will give
us rights, am willing to let the thing res" !"
The same man remarked "that year ago he
would have been for hanging Andy johnson to
the first limb, but since he has given it to the
abolitionists with such good pluck, 1 be Id
if he aint about as good a man as we could
have" This sentiment among the young chiv-
airy prevails so far as l have observed, and all
those who were the most bitter in cursing Pres
ident johnson one year ago are those who now
laud him most highly; not only for his veto
message but more especially for his speech on
the 22d ult. How that speech is regarded at
the North l know not, having had no access TO
Northern papers; but confess never read any
thing emanating from President so humilia-
ting.
"The niger is stillin the wOOd-pile." can
see no difference here between Unionists
Or others in regard to the negro He is uni |
versally loathed and hated. Being especially
in their eyes designed by Providence for slave,
outside of that relation is only an object of con-
empt and persecution. To draw out the very |
Iuintessence ofther abhorrence, it is only neces-
,ary to see darkey in uniform. Had he been
made a voter at the surrender of Lees army,
he South could have hated the negro no worse
Tor loved the North any less. The great mis-
axe of President Johnson S reconstruction plan
vas in not making loyalty to the Government
he test of suffrage, instead of the color of the
kim That the Bureau bill has failed can be little
natter of regret, since it was only an excuse for
ot doing justice to millions of loyal people
here is high degree of excitement prevailing
t the South. The impression seems to be uni
ersal that their surrender TO the government
1as all that could have been asked of them for
reinstatement into the old compact. They
eem to be entirely unable to see any reason
Thy rebel with hands all red with the blood
f those who have been murdered for their coun-
~, should not go right into Congress to help
overn those they could not destroy.
All classes, except those who stand with Par
IN Brownlow, seem wholly incapable of doing
nything for the interest of the freedmen and
I'd day indeed will it be for the latter if Con- !
ress turns them over to the disposition of their