The Placer herald., 1866-10-13


tw'nkling along the edge of continent Of
darkness. In the presence of such 4 con-
trast how mean and craven is the fear that
the South will rule the policy Of the land!
That it will have an influence, that it will
contribute in time, most important influen-
res or restraints, we are glad to believe.
But, II 1t rises at once TO the control of the
government, it will be because the North,
demoralized by prosperity, and besolted by
groveling interests, refuses to discharge its
share of political duty. In such case the
South lot only will control the government,
but it ought to do il!
2. 1t Is feared with more reason, that the
restoration OF the South 70 her full indepen
dence will be detrimental to the freedmen.
The sooner we dismiss from our minds the
idea that the freedmen can be classified, and
separated froli the white population, and
nursed and defended by themselves, the bet
ter 1t will be for them and US, The negro is
part and parcel Of Southern society. He
cannot be prosperous while it is unprosper
Gus. Its evils will rebound upon him. Its
happiness and renvi goration cannot be kept
from his participation. The restoration of
the South to amicable relations with the
North, the reorganization Of is industry,
the reinspiration of It's ett rprise and thrift
viii all rel ound to the feedmen's benefit
Nothing is so dangerous to the freedmen
AS an unsettled state If society in toe South .
On him comes all the spite, and anger, and
caprice, and revenge lie viii be made
the scapegoat Of lawlesss and heaitless
men, unless we turn the government into a
vast military machine there cannot be armies
enough to protect the freedmen. While
Southern society is claimed, settled and OF.
cupled and soolhed with new hopes and
prosperous industries, no armies will be
needed Riots will subside, awless hangers
on will be driven off or better governed, and
way will be gradually opened up to the
freedmen, through education and industry,
TO full citizenship, with ali its honors and
duties.
Civilization is a growth. None can es'
cape that forty years in the wilderness who
travel from the Egypt of ignorance to the
promised land Of civilization. The freed
men must lake their march have full
faith in the results. If they have the s,am-
ina to undergo the hard,hips which every
uncivilized people has undergone in their
upward progress, they will in due time take
their place amo g us. That place cannot
be bought, nor heqnea,hed. >. nor gained by
slight of-hand. 1t will come to sohriety, vir
tue, industry and fluga'ity. As the nation
cannot be sound until The south is prosper
Gus, SO, on the other extreme, a healthy con.
dilion of civil society in the South is indis.
pensal'le to the welfare of The freedmen!
Refusing TO admit loyal Senators and Re.
rr-senat YES from the South to Congress
will not hell the freedmen. 1t will not ST.,
cure for them the vote. 1t will not protect
them. 1t will not secure any amendment Of
our Constitution, however u>t and wise. 1t
VII only Increase the dangers and compli-
cate the difficulties Whether we regard
the whole nation. or any section Of it or
class in it, the first demand Of our time is
entire reunion.
Once united. we can, by schools. churches.
free press, and increasing free speech, att
tack each evil and secure every good
Meanwhile the great chasm which rebel
lion made is not filed up. 1t grows deeper
aud stretches wide,! Out of it rise dread
spectels and threatening sounds. Let that
ou.f be closed, and bury in it slavery, sec
t'onal ~imosly, an all sIrfes and halreds!
1t is Fl, that the brave men, who, on sea
and land, faced death to save the nation,
should now 10y their voice and vote, consum
mate what their swords rendered possible.
For the sake of The freedmen, for The
sake of the South and it millions OF our
felowcountrymen, for our own sake. and
for the great cause Of freedom and riviiza
lion. urge the immediate reunion of all
The parts which rebellion and war have shat.
tered. am truly yours.
HENRY WARD BEEcHER.