Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-09-12

army has been school, and hundreds
of thousands of men have gone home
to preach q truer and nobler view of
human rights. All the industrial in
terests of society are moving with in
creased wisdom toward intelligence
and liberty. Everywhere, in church
es, in literature, in natural sciences,
in physical industries, in social gues-
tions, as well as in politics, the nation
feels that the Winter is over and a
new Spring hangs in the horizon and
works through all the elements. In
this happily changed and advanced
condition of things, no party of the
retrogade can maintain itself. Every
thing marches and parties must
march.
/ hear with wondor and shame and
scorn the fear of few that the South,
once more in adjustment with the
federal government, will rule this
nation The North is rich-never so
rich the South rs poor-never SO
poor. The population Of the North
is nearly double that of the South.
The industry of the North, in diversity,
in forwardness, and productiveness,in i'm
all the machinery and education re-
quired for manufacturing, is half
century in advance Of the South.
Churches in the North crown every
hill, and schools swarm in every
neighborhood while the South has
but scattered lights, at long dis
tances, like lighthouses tvinllling
along the edge Of the continent Of
darkness. In the presence of such
contrast, how mean and craven is the
fear that the South will rule the pol
icy of the land That it will have an
influence, that it will contribute, in
time, most important influences or re-
straints, we are glad to believe. But
if it rises at once TO the control OF the
government, it will be because the
North, demoralized by prosperity,
and besotted by groveling interests,
refuses to discharge its share of polit-
ical duty. In such case the South
will not only control the government,
but it ought to do it,
1t is feared, with more reason, that
the restoration of the South to her
full independence will be detrimental
to the freedmen. The sooner we dis
miss from our minds the idea that the
freedmen can be classified and sepera-
ted from the white population, and
nursed and defended by themselves,
the better it will be for them and us.
The negro is part and parcel of south
ern society. It's evils will rebound
upon him. It's happiness and rein
vigoration cannot be kept from his par
ticipation The restoration of South
to amicable relations with the North,
the reorganization of its industry, the
reinspiration of its enterprise and
thrift, will all rebound TO the freed
mems benefit Nothing is so danger
GUS TO the freedmen as an unsettled
state Of socity at the South On him
comes all the spite and anger and ca
price and revenge. He will be made
the scapegoat of lawless and hcartles'
men. Unless we turn the government
+ into vast military machine, there
cannot be armies enough to protec
: the freedmen while southern society
remains insurrectionary. lfsoutherr
society is calmed settled and occupied
, and soothed, with new hopes anc
s prosperous industries, no armies vii
' be needed. Riots will subside, lawlesi
| hangers on will be driven off or better
o governed. and a way will be gradually
: opened up to the freedman, through
c education and industry, to full citizen
+ ship, with all its honors and duties.
i Civilization is a growth. None can
o escape that forty years in the wilder
h ness who travel from the Egypt ofig
o norance to the promised land of civil
ization. The freedmen must takel
@ their march have full faith in tn
It result. If they have the stamina Z
d undergo the hardships which ever,
It uncivilized people have undergone il
their upward progress, they will il
l. due time take their place among ut
J. That place cannot be bought, nor be
n queathed, nor gained by sleight Q
9 hand. 1t will come to sobriety, virtue
l. industry, and fi'ugality. As the ma
? ton cannot be sound until the Sout
G is prosperous, so, on the other extreme
h healthy condition Of civil society /
l. the South is indispensable to the we
= fare of the freedmen.
Refusing to admit loyal Senator
d and Representatives from the Sout
l. to Congress will not help the freeC
d men. 1t will not secure them tn
b, vote. 1t will not protect them. |
IS will not secure any amendment OF on
4, constitution, however just andwise.
Ie wilonly increase the dangers and con
ic plicate the difficulties. Whether W
It regard the whole nation, or any sS'
W tion of it or class in it, the first d'
d mand of our time is, entire reunion.