The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-05-14
Senator Wilson ON the Political Ne.
eessitIes of the South. nan
NEwBERN, N. c., April %, 1867.
10 The Edttor Of The IndependerE \ IL,

eessitteS Of she SOuth. fi5tf4f
NEwBERN, N. c., April %, 1867.
10 Lhs Editor Of the Indepelders xftF
Ny DEAR SIR: You will remember
our conversation at our last meeting,
regarding the opportunities we OF the
North now have to do good to our
countrymen of the South. Every step
I take, everything Esee and hear, con-
firms the views then expressed. OPP
portunities and duties go together. Op.
portunities invite to actions, and duties
bid us act; twill be source OF regret
in coming years five ofthe loyal States
fail now to'improve these opportnni-
ties, and to perform these duties. Never
did men inspired by patriotism, liberty,
justice, humanity and religion, have
before them II field of labor so inviting,
In this field ofaetion which God, in his
providence, has opened to us, the loving
heart, the tender conscience and the
enlightened reason can work out great
results for the country, for humanity
and for God. '.''Flj : ~
Congress having laid down the condi-
tions of final settlement, those oondi.
ti0IlS lciu be accepted. 1t Is of vital inn
portance that these States should pass
into the control Of men who are for the
unity of the Republic, impartial free
dom, equality of rights and privileges
In law and In fact, for the education OF
the people, and for their Improvement
and elevation. We of the North have
won In the field, have won in the pub.
lie councils. Ideas, principles and pol
tcies which we deem vital to the coun-
try are embodied in the conditions we
have required our countrymen of the
South to adopt. We have sought not to
dlsnonor or degrade any, but TO protect
and lit up the oppressed, the poor, the
dependent. TheIonE contest OF tiustica
in conflict with aVarice and oppres-
ston, !" In the words of Jefferson, is over,
The passions, prejudices and bitter
memories engendered. by the great
struggle should be forgottenin this day
OF our triumph. In the long conflict OF
ideas it was duty to country, to man
and to God to meet the men of the
South front to front, face TO face. When
war came, il was duty to demand its
vigorous prosecution. When hoStilities
ceased, It was the highest duty ever i'm
posed upon us to see that the peopleWe
had made free in name should be free in
fact-that they should be citizens, with
equality of rights and privileges. That
great duty has been performed By the
adoption Of terms and conditions that UiLL
be complied NTH.
Now noble work may be accom-
plished by the people OF the North, who
have saved the country and the cause
ofliberty. That work can only be ac-
complished by the PRONUNCIATION of
truth with intlexible firmness, but in
love, charity and patience. This people,
l am sure, need that the causes of the
rebellion, the responsibilities of the re-
bellion, and the results of the rebellion,
should be presented to them from the
standpoint of truth in the spirit of
kindness. They have been, and con-
tiuue to be fooled to their cost. at is,"
said John Quincy Adams, ''among the
evils of slavery, that 1t taints the very
sources Of moral principle" (" Establish. :.
es false estimates of virtue and vice."
"perverts human reason. Slavery
did its perfect work among our coun-
trymen of the South, and the truth in
Rlli integrity, proclaimed in loving
kindness, can alone restore this ltper-
verted human reason" Efforts to adj
vance the cause Of national unity, or
universal freedom and equality of
rights and privileges, of impartial JUS
tice, of education for all races, and of
general progress, will be met with OPP
position from those who mourn over
the "lost cause, ,"'Or by coldness. indif.
ference or contempt. But, If our peo-
pie are firm, persistent, patient, for
bearing, we can achieve great work,
which patriotism, humanity and reli-
giOn will approve.
1 deem it of vital importance to have
the issues clearly defined aud sharply
drawn between unity and secession,
loyalty and disloyalty, libsrty and
slavery, equality and privilege, educa-
cation and ignorance. The good OF the
and the interests Of the rebel
States imperatively demand that these
issues should be made at once, and that
men should go where their principles
lead. The eUer loyal men, Ilile.tentHS of
the freedmen, many compromised bv the
7'ebelLiOf-Irith Il, but not of iC-GMd some
rep eIltGnt rebels. ICikI act together, stand
ing square on the Platform of the Union
Republican Party. The SeCessiouists
evidently fear and dread contest in
which they already see that they must
go down where their "lost cause" has
gone. If the friends of the country,
emancipation, civil rights, suffrage,
and education will aid In speakers,
workers, papers and means Of infor-
nation, I am more confident than ever
that these States will send true men to
Congress and put progressive men in
control of their affairs. They can do 1t
If they will work. This is not a mere
partisan work. Every thoughtful man
who sees the condition of these States,
who cOmprehends the pressing needs of
this people, who wishes to see peace,
law, order, prosperity and ffaternal af1
fection prevail, and our country be-
come the leading Christian nation OF
the globe, may contribute to advance
this work. Northern capital is needed
TO develop the material interests OF.
these States and make the wasted fields
bloom again. Northern labor is requir-
ed 10 enlighten and instruct. The
Christian people Of the North, whose
arms have triun.rRed and whose ideas
have conquered, have now q glorious
opportunity by the blessing of God, to
confer lasting benefits upon these States
and this people. trust they will hail
and improve 1t. Ever yours, A
= 7sfl --- HENRY WILSON. d
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