Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-02-01
Correspondents Of the Free press.l
Letter from Georgia.
REFUGEE Cottage,

Mr.. Editor Of the Free Press:
You are so far North, and 50 little ac-
quainte1 with the true situation Of the South,
except through political representation which
is utterly unreliable, thought would write you
plain matter Of fact letter. which You may
judge Of from an acquaintance of human nature,
so far as impressions can be made from letter.
shall begin by telling you what has caused me
to address you this communication. Ny newly
made friend Dwinell Of the Rome Courier, has
occasionally sent the FREE Pass to my wife.
who is native Of Vermont, and by the bye
completed her education at Burlington, but for
the last fourteen years has teen resident of the
South, and no truer citizen does the South con-
tain IN her devotion to its cause and principles
New England radisalism makes her often blush
for her native country, for such principles are
pregnant with evil and not for any good. But
why allude in the least way to politics, a subject
the Southern people have lost all interest in,
and care nothing for. Their whole thoughts and
efforts are bent on their personal welfare. in
trying to restore their lost fortunes to extent
merely to render them comfortable. We have
lost al or nearly SO By the war. We are now a
and all we ask. is to be LEI alone, ani the simple
privilege ef making living by honest and IN
dustrious labor. At least two thirds Of the
Southern people care not even to be represented
in Congress, and elections even for our own
State affairs have lost all interest with US Al
the harm we wish you Mr.. Editor is. that # you
have rery Gmia5Ie Vernon; wife, you would
come down South and settle, and let her try her
hand IN house keeping with freedmen help 70
servants, and if you did not change your tune,
and she her dmiG5iliiy. then We would say you
we're certainly the most consistent peoI lie in
sentiment and action the world ever produced
Bat we apPreheud you would rather be distant
spectator to the great change you have wrought
amongst US. than to participate personally in its
blessings or evils.
We are very much surpri,ed at the general
impression that exists among the northern peo-
pie, that it is unsafe TO come South and settle
among US, or that if they did come, their families
would be treated with indifference or disrespect
Isolated cases may be instanced where such
treatment msy have been shown, but rs a gen.
eral thing the Southern people are friendly,
hospiiable and kind, and would gladly vel
come Northern families in our midst. and
treat them with all the courtesy necessary,
if they were friendly disposed themselves
Such impressions have grown IT Of a set
Of political scribblers who have written for VIC
lent partisan papers, and take greater pleasure
in keeping alive sectional strife and hatred, than
in promoting the good Of the country. All
good people Of both sections should froWn down
such evil minded persons, and do all they can
to bring about peace and confidence throughout
the whole nation
1t has only been recently that / have
moved to this beautiful section Of country
among the mountains Of Northern Georgia.
possessing 4 soil unsurpassed in richness, de-
hghtful climate, beautiful scenery, and the most
ample water power The valley lands are very
fertile and productive, producing any variety
Of crops, corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, peas,
buekwheat, clover, the grasses and cotton. also
tobacco; all those products grow well here, N
der most rough system Of culture Only good /
and experienced agriculturists are needed 20
make it a country Of abundance and wealth. /
The finest fruits are also raised here in any |
quantity. Send me down some Of your best /
and cleyerest Yankees. and I'll show them /
country they must admire, and if they settle in /
If they will not be insulted. We desire good /
and practical farmers among US, to show Us
how to get along with free labor. Lands can be
bought here cheap, aud the prospect for re-
farming Is no better anywhere else.
We have Railroads already established commu-
nicating with the North, East, and West and
South. All We need now is the starting Of cot
ton factories and other factories, 10 make it
prosperous source Of wealth to any who will in
vest IN II. We have the best Of water power
idle, except for few mills for grinding corn
and wheat. We have no capital now to invest
n such enterprises, but send me some honorable.
reliable men who would wish to embark in fac
Ories, and have the water power for such
can assure you, Mr.. Editor, or your read
ars, if Tou think proper to publish this letter,
ave not exaggerated in the less; in my account
{ this fine and beautiful country. nor in the
yell disposed feelings of its citizens. We have
ought your people long and brayely for our In
dependence. We have been overcome by num-
'ers We have laid down our arms and accent
the fortunes Of war, and desire peace and
riendly relations. You found Us in war, true
our cause and principle Tcu will find Us
n peace true to cur pledges and good faith.
Thy We should be still dstrus,ed and maligued
5 fAithless Rebels, when we have sheathed the c
word and sworn allegiance to the Government
beyond conjecture. No maguanimous con-
ueror could demand more than we have already ,
,quiesced in.
Very respectfully,
JNo n IrNr