The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-11
Letter from Roger A. Pryor.

The Richmond Rhig of yesterday publishes
letter from Roger A. Pryor, dated New York,
October 5, in which the writer gave his views
of politics and reconstruction. We quote as
follows;-
In the first place, then neither with politics
nor parties have the least concern or connec-
ton. On the downfall of the Confederacy /
renounced forever every political aspiration,
and resolved henceforth to address myself to the
care of my family and the pursuit of my profess
sion. But for all that have not repudiated the
obligations of good citizenship. When re-
newed my oath of allegiance to the Union did
so in good faith, and without reservation; and
as / understand that oath, it not only restrains
me from acts of positive hostility to the Govern
ment, but pledges me to do my utmost for its
welfare and stability.
Hence, while | am more Immediately con-
cerned to see the South restored to its former
prosperity, l am anxious that the whole country,
and all classes, may be reunited on the basis OF
common interest and fraternal regard. And
this object it appears to me, can only be attained
by cOnCeding to all clrsses the unrestricted en-
joyment of the rights guaranteed them by the
laws and by obliterating as speedily and as en-
tirely as possible the distinctions which have
separated the North and the South into hostile
sections.
With this conviction, while pretend to no
part in politics, have not hesitated, in private
discourse, to advise my friends IN the South
frankly to ''accept the sltuation;"to adjust their
ideas to the altered state of affairs; to recognize
and respect the rights of the colored race; to
cultivate relation of confidence and goodwill
towards the people of the North; to abstain from
the pro6tless agitations OF political debate; and
to employ their energies in the far more eXigent
and useful work of material reparation and de-
velopment. STRIVING, out of regard to the
South, to inculcate this lesson OF prudent con-
duct, have urged such arguments as these:
That the negro is, in no sense, responsible
for the calamlties we endure; that, to-
wards us, he has ever conducted himself with
kindness and subOrdination; 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 develop
ment; that to assume he was placed on this
theatre as reproSch to humanity and STUN
bling.block In the progress of civilization,
would be to impeach the wisdom and goodness
| of Providence; that considering the compare
| tive numbers of the two races in the South, it
would be the merest madness TO provoke a col
lision of caste; in a word, that it is absolutely
essential to the peace, repose, and prosperity of
/ the South that the emancipated class should be
undistuTbed in the enjoyment of their rights
under the law, and should be enlightened to
| understand the duties and interests of social
order and well-being.
But it has appeared to me that the chief
| obstacle to complete and cordial reunion be-
| tween the North and the South is found in the
| suspicion and resentment 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
| resumes its obligations in the Union, | have
| thought 1t not amiss on the other to protest to
my Southern friends that the mass of the
Northern community are an mated by far more
just and liberal sentiments towards us than we
are apt TO suspect.
And thus, leaving to others the os ensible part
| in the work of reconstruction, and abstaining
| studiously from all political connection and ac-
| tiVity, have hoped in some measure and in a
| quiet way, 10 repair the evil 1 contributed to
| bring upon the South, by availing myself OF
every appropriate private opportunity to suggest
| these cOunsels of moderation and magnanimity.
| Passion, to which in truth we had abundant
| provocation, precipitated us into secession
| reason must conduct us back into the path oI
| peace and prosperity.
! AT whatever risk Of personal obloluy, and al
whatever sacrifice of personal interest-aud you
| know that 1t involves both obloquy and sacrifice
| TO talk as dol am resolved to employ all OF
| energy and intellect l may command in the
| incessant endeaVOr to promote peace aud good
will among the people of the late bellgerent
| States. What the country needs, what in q
| most especial manner the South needs, is repOsC
| freedom from the thTOes of political agitation
and leisure to recruit its exhausted energies
The experience of the past six years should
have impressed on the mind OF the American
nation this most salutary lesson-a lesson sooner
or later learned by every nation in the develop