The national Republican., 1867-12-31
SUFFERING IN THE SOUTH.

There is, according to all accounts, much dis
tress and suffering In the South, and not few
people who were once In affiuent circumstances,
and knew no such word as want, are now actually
in need OF bread and clothing. These roverses
occur In all communities, and none can plead,
however wealthy to-day, complete exemption
from such freaks Of fortune. Riches may take
to themselves wings and fly away, and there is
no man who can boast that he, whatever be his
propertyat this hour, is above the fate which
awaits ordinary mortals in this regard. In the
South, II all accounts speak the truth, II Is not
In the ordinary course OF human events, that q
few unfortunate people, once in the possession OF
abundance, and enabled to command not only
the nccessaries of life, but all the luxuries are
new reduced to poverty and destitution. But
this class has become so numerous that II no
longer partakes OF the chsracteristics which
make the exceptional and rare occurrences In
human society; but In our southern country
what is in other communities set down as an
exception has there become the rule. Poverty
and destitution is the general condition of affairs
in those States and all classes or at least all the
old inhabitants who are ''natlve and to the man
or born" now appear TO be the victims of
relentless and crushing poverty which carries
In Its train an untold amount Of suffering. While
we would not indulge for one moment in that
spirit of retaliation and censure which per
mcates to some extent portions OF our northern
society, still 1t is not inappropriate that we
should in this connection mention or allude to
some things which our southern friends, II they
would prosper, would do well to forget-some
errors Of education and habits OF life that they
would do well to correct.
There Is no Disgusting the fact, that many Of
these people are as proud and imperious as ever.
1t matters not that they are out at the elbows,
and thst their garments are so seedy that 1t
would be extremely diflcult to discover the
original material of which they were made
Their tables also are but poorly supplied; still
they are as dlctatorisl in their demands, and as
nippant and vindictive In their denunciation of
the Yankee as ever. They should know that this
arrogant and imperious spirit does not, as gem
eral thing, win favors. clustering and dena ance
may be pleasant pastimes, and the rich and inde-
pendent may afford these kinds of luxuries, but
the poor can Ill afford this costly indulgence.
II disposed to indulge In ridicule-as we are not
we could represent many Of these people in a
highland do 1t truthfully, too-which would
scarcely be exceeded by any OF the graphic
scenes brought to light and developed In "Don
Quixote." The renowned knight Of La Maneha
never, in any Of his extreme moods Of mind and
conduct, appeared more ridiculous than some OF
these Southern people in their frenzied denun-
citation of the North. Whatever the politicians
may do in respect to reconstruction, or whether
these States should be admitted soon or remain
long while rs they are, 1t Is nevertheless fact
that the great mass Of the Northern people wish
their Southern brethren well, and will do all in
their power to aid and bless them. II they want
bread the North Is ready to divide the loaf with
thom for the feeling among the masses here and
In the North is that the North and South must
live together as brethren. We must, therefore,
forget and forgive, and where there is human
suffering we must do all in our power to relieve
II, notwithstanding the temper OF the recipients.