The New York herald., 1867-04-22
GEORGIA..
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of the HERALD.

Political Feeling and Sentiments In tho South.
orn Sections OF Alabama and Georgia-A
New Class OF Southern Citizens Springing
Up-The Causes Of tho Fabian Policy In
These States-The Last of tho Fire-Eat-
ing'' Elements-Clearing Of the SOuthern
Stage-A View Behind the Scenes-Poverty
Of the People and Lack Of Spirit Among the
Planturs-Fine Political Prospects, &c.
SAVANNAH, Ga, April is, 1867.
As you move towards the Gulf southwark, and then
eastward towards this city, in tour through Alabama
and Georgia. it grows plainly apparent that you pro.
crossing into region where money has once been very
plentiful IL 1t be longer, and where the cuti.
va,ion Of mind which wealth can always assure has
prevailed. But, beautiful as the scene
may be- perfectly the verdure may decorate
homesteads conceal tho graves and blood OF tho
slan and fair may appear the fields and groves OF the
grand plantations Of the olden time, will not be long
before We discover that wandering amid ruins
and that all the beauty Of nature or the paaal grand
Of the arstocrac mansions but mask for those
ills and that the poignant from their
conccalment But few Of the plantations are fully
worked-not that the freedmen cannot be obtained or
will not work assduously when laboring for them
selves but because the masters Of these lands are
themselves unused TO controlling large business
OF any kind They have tact gonerslshp,
idea Of economy, and unless negro comes
W mhsttf, anu takoS COutfOl OF MS
AFFAIRS disentansing him from the complications and
difficulties into which he has fallen through ignorance
the plantation shows indications Of ruin 10 only
partly cultivated, and finally falls altogether when the
helpless finds nothing left him TO do but TO cooy
await his fate
There are many Of these unhappy men in the South.
but they are rapidly growing less In number They
the old men one meets his journey through The lower
section OF Alabama and Georgia; the silverhaired
who are always TO be seen seated under the shady
porches Of the grand mansions. Those are the
sad wrecks Of the past-the last Of the
princes who lorded In mighty grandeur
race. But fcw, indeed, OF these are eft the last
the observant traveller remarks toterng from the
scene The change from afIiuencs 70 poverty, Or q
them OIL but in their place elements both political
and social are being raised 70 promnence-elements 90
fresh and young aud favorable that despite the efforts
Of politicians 10 the contrary We viii soon have nation
moro homogeneous In general tastes and political prcd.
lections than dreamed Of in the marrow phi
so This vast Southern stage whereop We have lately
performed our great national meodrams, with Grant and
sherman IN the heroic leading business Butler IS heavy
villain" and crowd Of polica ow' comedians In the
this stage whereon have given at IN immense
outlay the most sansunary OF tragedies Is now beng
cleared Tor new style OF performance. The raps Of
politicians and Others which have scanned and disag
ured this vast STAGE are being removcd-she scenery -
being retouched and remodelled by nature,
There has been much delay in the contamination OF
the most desirable results with tho pIable population
which was lett In the South after the storm Of war had
passed over II owing 70 the lack Of promptness In the
action Of the North. NJ . Il IN
This sensible and wholly subdued class which forms
10 truth the body OF the small and scattered popu-
lation OF the South, was willing and snxious
for immediate reconstruction by the adoption OF
any final measures that Congress night have
dictated They preferred peace TO wrangling They
had felt the power OF the government and all knew what
evils attended the marching OF hostile hcrdes through
the country Therefore s not TO be wondered at that
they were opposed 10 turmoil and political disorder
One planter with whom conversed In the course of my
trip through Southern Georgia stated that a. rst he
had been In favor OF abect submission 70 the govern
ment because no expected nothing loss for his share Ia
the treason The was private soldier In the rebel army
Than poaiton Of almost absolute seTfdom bst - sooa