The New York herald., 1867-04-18
Progress Of Reconstrucsiea and Affairs In tho
South.

from day to day with the most interesting and
full accounts Of the condition Of the South,
the sentiments of the people and the progress
of reconstruction. In fact, that section Of the
country is faithfully photographed, II we may
use such simile, so that our readers can see
at glance the good as we'll as the evil, the
hopeful as we'll as the gloomy state of things
to be found there. Thus the press takes an
important part in helping forward the work OF
restoration by exposing errors and difficulties
and by pointing out remedies. The testimony
of these ubiquitous correspondents shows that
a remarkable change has taken place within
few weeks in the sentiments and conduct Of
the late rebels The reconstruction acts of
Congress are doing the work intended effec-
tually. A few ignorant swaggerers and blatant
village politicians still curse the Yankees
and mutter treason, but they have little infu-
ence, and there are not many such. The mass
of the people and the most intelligent portion
of the community accept the terms prescribed
for them. They know resistance would be
both useless and dangerous, and they are pro-
foundly impressed with the necessity Of early
restoration in order to save them from greater
evils than they now have to endure. They
az yell aware that the only way to restore
'no'' 'ndus.Ii~i and domestic well being and
10 save themselves from continued political
disabilities is by promptly Conforming 70 the
reconstruction plan of Congress and cordially
assisting to carry it out
There is one feature in the political, social
ana moral revolution now going on in the
South worthy OF particular notice. We refer
to the position and new horn ideas of the ne
groes. Of course these people unsettled
and excited, and hardly know what to do or
who to follow in tn.ir sudden elevation to
freedom and political rlgSts, and of course
there is good deal of ignorance among lem .assm
But they are much better instructed than many
suppose. The Southern whites have always
talked about politics very much in fact, poll
tics always was the staple OF their converse
ton. The negroes heard and learned from
this both before and since the war; Besides,
they are inquiring and manifest considerable
shrewdness. As proof of this we learn from
our correspondents that when asked who they
are going to vote for or what party ehey will
support, they inquire, before answering, what
party or section of country their questioner
belongs to, and suit their replies to the answer.
If Northern man makes the inquiry, they
speak well OF their Northern friends il it be
a Southener, they manifest the best disposi.
shrewdness, with embarrassment aud uncer-
tainty as to what they will do in their novel
situation. Still, on the whole, they are in
clined to seek counsel and guidance from their
former masters. They seem 10 realize the fact
that their interests are identified with the
South and the Southern whites. This has been
shown in many instances lately which we have
heretofore noticed, and we see from the ac-
count Of mass meeting held in the theatre at
Richmond, published in yesterdays HERALD,
that the negroes called upon the whites for
advice. The call was signed by thirteen influ-
ential and Intelligent colored msn to Marma-
duke, johnson and others, asking for impartial
and salutary advice, which, as the signers say,
eve so much need, finding ourselves sur
rounded by circumstances both novel and en-
barrassing." Thus it appears from the dispo-
stion of the negroes generally that the white
people Of the South will be able to control the
negro vote and hold large balance of power
in the politics of the country.
While the Southern blacks are seeking advice
rom the whites, we think a little advice to the
whites themselves may be useful. We confess
they are showing a great deal of good sense
in general, and are going along very well
but there is too much Of their old State rights
dogma sticking to them still. They seem to be
dcsirous Of accommodating them selves to their
changed condition and the new order of things,
but are unable to eradicate their old notions.
Now, it will be well for them TO understand
that there can be no going back to the old
State rights theory and controversy. The
progress of the country and the tremendous
war we have gone through have given an
Interpretation to the constitution that will be
unchangeable and final. Ii, therefore, the
Southerners should attempt to revive their old
theory Of government, and ally themselves
again with the copperhead democrats of the
North, they will make great mistake. This
theory has become ncurably odious, and no
great party can hereafter be formed upon that
as platform. They should either unite with
the conservative republicans in opposition to
the radicals and copperheads, or with an inde-
pendent party founded upon the new issues
that must arise regarding our national finances,
the tariff and territorial expansion. With such
a new party will be the place for them for on
all such questions as those we refer to the
great West and all the vast agricultural inter-
ests of the country will become united against
the selfish and narrow policy Of New England.
The West and tha South together may govern
the country tor all time to come. The high
tariff and protectionist school Of politicians of
the Eastern States would become powerless.
The moneyed power Of this section. which IA