Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-02-11
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY IL
COMMUNICATED.
THE sOUTH-By B. Johnson.

+, Much has been said and written 10 regard to
what ought to be the conduct Of the South un
der the anomalous condition which has resulted
from the effects of the late war; and hewever
much personal and individual considerations
may bias the judgment of some in reference to
what should be its course, there can be no dit
ference in the opinion Of men Of intelligence
and principle, in relation to the fact that 1t has
a most important duty to perform, ere 1t can
entertain the expectation Of realization OF
that grandeur, which has ever been the domi-
nant idea of its existence Self respect pro-
claims that duty to be line of conduct which
will cause it to live within itself, and to main
tain positive excusiveneSs ia all that it thinks
feels and does. BY such course, it will attain
an aptitude for its object; and evil will come
TO none, but good to ali; for tad associations
destroy good intentions, and no one has ever
yet been much injured by having as little as
possible to do with an untriendly and disagree
able neighbor The caste of the South was the
fitness With which it deported itself, and its
pride was its studied refusal to NEEDLE with the
affairs OF Others 1t was frank and hospitable;
and so evident we're these characteristics, that
The world called it chiyalrous. 1t meditated
no wrong to it's neighbors, and it thought not,
until it was overly manifested, that It's neigh
bors intended evil to it. Its conhdlng nature
was It's great defect, and its high toned lmagln-
ings pelished of too much confidence IN those
whom it ever trusted as its friends Its neigh
bors have said all of SANDER and deractlon they
could about it, and visited all the harm that
they could VI on it, and all that is now lett 1t,
is it's proud Indifferent dignity. The exalted
tboro CO. nil
and increased energy from undeserVed outrage.
The sting OF burning insult, the anguish OF
wounded honor, and the pain of abused pride,
last for generations, and are taught by father 10
son. What was once but fancy TO it, has now be-
come reality The scenes through which 1t
has passed give signs to its remembrance, and
tear-drops to its thoughts; aud it II Is dead. as
those who revilo it, say it Is, why DO they not
allow it to rest quietly in its grave? And II 1t
has been overrun, desolated and killed, why
do not those who hate it, believe the evidence
Of their senses. and let it lie coG and stalk IN
its bloody cerements, and hot lie continually
tearing the dress Of the tomb from II, and IN
cessan,ly presenting its maagled corse to the
censorous gaze of an uDteeling world? The
foundation principle which actuated i, wos the
,rmutable attributes OF truth and it has no
apology to offer save that OF uDsuccessuincss
It proudly claims to have done n wrong; and
if it has sorrow, it is not from whlt it DID, but
from what its neighbors' conduc rendered pos
sib!e. It asks nought but justice; and desires
no laws hooking the ties OF friendship with
those who have so heartlessl y abused it. 1t
courts no yind;cator but time, aud needs no
shield but its virtue, no fertilization but It's ex-
clusireness, and no light bur Us experiences.
1t has its destiny in It's own hands; and BY
that seIf-reance which puts lis trust in the
faith of the impartial and ultimate justice of
the God Of the Universe, it can alone arise
from the condition to which its enemies con
signed i. Heaven shapes its own way TO man;
and an unseen influence, with gentle touches, is
stirring the aching chords of its dropping heart,
snd bidding them give out again the strains
that were once the music of its cline, ami the
admiration Of the world. Ali that is necessary
10 make the awakening perfect, glorious aud
immortal is, for it to keep itself quietly inactive
10 all but its internal welfare for diguifed
dameanor will do more to repulse the advances
oi its prosecutors, than the sword and when
it is approached by terms Of further degrade
lion, let its communications be, yea, yea,
hay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these
cometh OF evil. y