The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-10-14

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Is hope for the country when such a
fre-sstsE rs Pryor pTociAims himself
thorough going Union man, and is
willing 10 bring forth fruits meet for re-
pentauce. His Language In n late let
ter to the Richmond Wing is quite DIFF
ferent from that used in his Atheueum
speech in this city in 1890. He is now
resident of New York City where he is
practiclng law. He writes that "on
"the downfall of the confederacy be re-
''nounced forever every political aspira-
''tion, and resolved henceforth to adj
"dress himself TO the care of his family
land the pursuit OF his prOfession:"
but for all that have not repudiAted
the obligations OF good citizenship.
When renewed my oath OF allegiance
to the Union, l did so in good faith and
without reservation; and as l under
stand the oath, 1t not only restraints me
from acts of positive hostility to the
government. but pledges me TO do my
utmost for its welfare and stability.
Hence, while / am more Immediately
concerned to see the South restored 10
its former prosperity, am anxious
that the whole country, and all classes,
may be reunited on the basis OF COM
mon interest and fraternal regard. And
this object, IL appears to me, can only
be attained by concediDg TO all classes
the unrestricted enjoyment OF the rights
guaranteed them by the laws, and OBJ
literRIing as speedily and as entirely as
possible the distinctions which have
separated the North and South into
hostile sections"
The following words in regard TO the
negro are creditable to Mr.. Pryor
They are calculated to do good at the
South:
While pretend to no part in politics,
have not hesiLated, in private dis
course, to advise my friends in the
South frankly to "Rccept the situAtiOn;"
TO adjust their ideas to the altered state
of affairs; TO recognise and respect the
rights Of the colored race; to cultivate
relations of confidence and good will
toward the people of the North to alb
stain from the Profitless agitation of
political debate; and to employ their
energies III the far more exigent and
usetut work OF material reparation
and development. Striving, out of re-
gard to the South to inculcate this les
sou OF prudent conduct, have urged
such arguments as these: That the
negro Is, in no sense, responsible for
the calamities we endure; that towards
us he has ever conducted himself with
kindness aud suboTdinRtion; that he is
entitled to our compassion, and to the
assistance OF our superior Intelligence
in the effort to attain a higher state of
moral and Intellectual development;
that to assume he was placed on this
theatre us IA reproRch to humanity and
n stumbling block TO the progress sof
civilization, would be to impeach the
wisdom and goodness of Providence;
that considering the comparative num-
bers of the two races in the South, II
would be the merest madness to pro-
woke "A collision OF caste; in word, that
Il Is absolutely essential 10 the peace,
repose, and prosperity % the South that
the emancipated class should be undis-
tuTbed in the enjoyment OF their rights
under the law, aud should be eniight-
sned to understand the duties and inte-
rests OF social order and well-doing.
Further on in this letter Mr.. Pryor
discourses in regard to the present difii-
cultiss Of the political situation. On
this head he says:
"But IL has appeared to me that the
chief obstacle 10 a complete and cordial
reunion between the North and the
South Is found in the suspicion and re-
sentiment with which the people of these
sections regard each other. Hence,
while ON the one hand assuring the
northern people Of the good faith with
which the South assumes its obligations
10 the Union, have thought 1t not
amiEs on the other to protest to my
southern friends that the mass of the
northern community are animated by
far more Just and liberal sentiments to-
wards US than we are apt to suspect.
And thus, leaving to others the ostensi-
bic part in the work of reconstruction,
and abstaining nssiduously from all
political connection and activity,
have hoped in some measure and in q
Quiet way to repair the evil / contribu-
ted 10 bring upon the South, by avail
ing myself OF every appropriate private
opportunity to suggest these counsels
OF moderation and magunnimity. Pas
sion. to which in truth we had
abundant provocation, precipitated us
into secession, reason must condpct US
back into the path OF peace and pros.
al whatever rick of personal oblo-
ouy, and at whatever sacrifice of per-
sonal interest-and you know IL In
wolves both obloquy and sacrince to
talk as / dol am resolved TO employ
All OF energy and intellect may com
mand in the incessant endeavor 10 pro-
mote peace and good Will among the
people OF the lately belligerent states.
What the country needs, what IN
most especial manner the Sontn neeoss
Is repose; freedom from the threes oi
political agitation, and leisure 70 rect uiI
ftsaxhausted energies. The experience
on the past six years should have inn
pressed ON the mind of the American
nation this most Ralutary lesson-a les
son sooner or later learnt by every ma
tion in The development OF Its own
hfstory-that civil war IL the sum
and contamination OF all hu-
man woe. Protesting solemniy
the integrity OF motive by which