The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-13


gress, the Southern Senators and Repre-
sentatives Will coalesce with Northern
| Democrats and rule the country. Is
this nation, then, to remain dismenlbered
to serve the ends of parties: Have we
learned no wisdom by the history of
| the last ten years, in which just this
course of sacrificing the nation to the
eXigencies of parties plunged us into re-
beilion and war?
Even admit that the power would pass
into the hands of a party made up of
Southern men, and the hitherto dis
honored and misled Democracy OF the
| North, that power could not be used
just as they pleased. The war has
changed, not alone institutions. but
ideas. The whole country has advanced.
Public sentiment is exalted far beyond
what il has been at any former period.
A new party would, like "a river, be
obliged to seek out its channels in the
already existing slopes and 'orlns of the
continent
We have entered q new era OF liberty.
The style Of thought is freer and more
noble. The young men OF our times are
regenerated. The great army has been
Il school, and hundreds of thousands OF
men are gone home to preach truer
and nobler view of human right. All
the industrial interests OF society are
moving with increasing wisdom toward
intelligence and liberty. Everywhere,
in churches, in literature, in natural sci
ences, in physical industries, in social
questions, as we'll as in politics, the
a new spring hangs in the horizon ana
works all through the elements. In
this happily changed and advanced con-
dition of things no party OF the retro
grade can maintain itself. Everything
marches and parties must march.
/ hear, with wonder and shame and
seorn, the fear of a few that the South
once more in adjustment with the Fede-
raj Government will rule this nation!
fhe North is rich-never SO rich the
South is poor-never before SO poor.
The population of the Nor'h is nearly
double that Of the Sout::... The industry
OF the North, in diversity, in productive
ness and forwardness, in all the ma-
chinery and education required for
manufacturing, is half Il century in adj
vance Of the South. Churches in the
North, crown every hill, and schools
swarm in every neighb0rh0od while
the South has but scattered lights, al
long distances, like lighthouses twink
ling along the edge OF a continent Of
darkness. In the presence OF such Il
contrast, how mean and craven is the
fear that the South will rule the policy
of the land! That it will have an in
iluence, that it will contribute in time,
most important influences or restraints,
we are glad TO believe. But, il it rises
at once to the control OF the Govern
ment, it will be because the North, de-
moralized by prosperity and besotted
by groveling interests. refuses to dis
charge its share of political duty. In
such case, the South not only will con-
tol the Government, but it ought to
do it.
1t is feared, with more reason, that
the restoration of the South to her iull
independence will be detrimental 10 the
freedmen. The sooner we dismiss from
our minds the idea that the freedmen
can be classified, and separated from the
white population, and nursed and de-
Tended by themselves, the better it will
be for them and us. The negro is part
and parcel of Southern society. He
cannot be prosperous while it is UNI
prospered. Its evils will rebound upon
him. Its happiness and reinvigoration
cannot be kept from his participation.
The restoration of the South to anlicabie
relations with the North, the reorgani-
zation of its industry, the re-inspiratiOn
Of its enterprise and thrift, will all re-
dound to the ireednlen's benefit. Moth
ing is so dangerous to the freedmen as
an unsettled state of society in the South.
On him comes all the spite, caprice,
and revenge. He will lie made the
scapegoat of lawless and heartless men.
Unless we turn the Government into
vast military machine, there cannot be
armies enoug h to protect the free Omen
while Southern society remains insur-
rectionary. If Southern society is calm
ed, settled and occupied and soothed
with new hopes and prosperous indus
tries. no armies will be needed. Riots
will subsCe, lawless hangers on will he
driven Off or better governed, and
way will be gradually opened up to the
freedman, through education and in-
dustry, to full citizenship, with all It's
honors and duties.
Civilization is a growth. None can
escape that forty years in the wilderness
who travel from the Egypt OF ignorance
to the promised land of civilization:
The freedmen must take their march.
have full faith in the results. III they
have the stamina to undergo the hard
ships which every civilized people has