The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-12
Sound words From a Former southern
Leader.


Leader.
sovAR as present wisdom can atone for past
fol,v Mr.. Roger A. Pryor is evidently deter
mined TO do all that he can in reparation of
his former course. The letter on national
affairs which we yesterday republished from
his pen Is one of the most sound, manly, and
creditable declarations of opinion and senti-
nent that we have yet seen from any OF the
Southern leaders. If his spirit, as evinced in
that letter. actuated the majority of the
Southern people, or some of the Democratic
party of the North, the work OF restoration
would at once be completed, and we should
witness ''more perfect union" OF these States
than has ever yet existed. The fact that so
many still cling to the old order Of things
which has forever passed away, that they
cherish the spirit Of oppression while slavery
Itself has been abolished, that they still foster
prejudices and sentiments born of that terrible
evil, is one of the most discouraging features
Of the times. Yet it is fairly Offset by the
growing number of those who, like Mr.. Pryor,
have wisdom and patriotism and Christianity
enough to appreciate the changes that have
passed over the country, and to seek to reform
the social and political elements in accordance
with the great principles of freedom and equal
rights.
We can but commend to our conservative
readers the comprehensive and truly states
manlike views of Mr.. Pryor upon the vital
point in the reconstruction problem, namely,
the relation which the two races shall sustain
TO one another in the Rebel States. 1t ought
to be evident to the commonest apprehension
that the peace and prosperity of the South
cannot possibly lie in the direction of per-
petuation of the spirit Of caste. All history
proves the contrary, and the deepest princi-
pies in human nature make the teachings of
history on this point authoritative for the
future. community divided into two races
Of nearly equal numbers, cannot exist peace
fully and prosperously in a condition which
constantly incites to oppression and outrage
on the one side and to anger and resistance
on the other. Sooner or later a conflict must
ensue of the most bitter and revolving charac-
ter. Most especially must this be the case in
country where the doctrines of equal rights
and of government by the people form the
very basis of its whole political structure. The
disfranchised and oppressed class find in these
doctrines a constant reminder of their unjust
degradation, and perpetual incentive to re-
sistance. Hence we consider Mr.. Pryor as but
uttering the words of truth and soberness
when he says "that, considering the COM
psrative numbers of the two races in the
South, it would be the merest madness to pro-
woke collision of caste in word, that it is
absolutely essential to the peace, repose, and
prosperity of the South that the emancipated
class should be undisturbed in the enjoyment
of their rights under the law, and should be
enlightened to understand the duties and inte-
rests of social order and well-being." These
are the words of true craftsmanship. They
grasp the problem before the country in the
spirit of humanity. They point out the only
path which leads to true peace and prosperity
There are other points in Mr.. PryCr's letter
which are worthy of comment and commenda.
ton. 1t is full of wisdom and good counsel,
and we trust that it will be widely read and
pondered, not only by the Southern people, to
whom it is more particularly addressed, bu
also by our Northern Conservatives, who are
IN equal need of its humane and statesmanlike
teachings.