New-York tribune., 1868-07-03
TIE CONDITION OF THE SOUTH
ADDRESS OF THE REV. DIR. SEARS, AGENT o
THE PEABODY FUND.

ADDRESS OF THE REV. DIR. SEARS, AGENT OF
THE PEABODY FUND.
BOsToN. June 30.-The Rev. Barnas Sears,
D. d. delivered an address before the Baptist Social
Unon an association Of the various Baptist Churches In
Boston and vicinity in regard to what he had seen and
heard the South during his recent tour through the
Southern states in connection with the administration OF
the Peabody Fund.- Of which he Is an agent Very much
depended on the course OF action that should be pursued
in bringing the portions OF the country together as
one common nation and civilization He did not stand
s the accuser or apologs OF the South but with
bton to be the candid and faithful Interpreter between
the North the South OF thing he was very GER
TAIN that the two sections OF the country maeTialy
misunderstood and misinterpreted each other. one
great which the South abored under WAS
the existence Of many vile and Nena newspapers wheh
appealed 10 the pTeludices ana bad passions oi reh anu
not In his opinion just representation or the seht
of the majority OF the sober part OF the southern
community. The people generally took thlngs more
seriously and awake 20 the necessities of the hour
great and radical change was going on 10 the minds OF
Southern people and would be carried through 70 tDe
end The abolition of Slavery and the emancipation OF
the slaves has been accepted at FIRST reluctantly aud IN
dignantly, but now there was growing eOhNlc,oh
among sOberminded men that Heaven was 10 De thanked
for the result OF the The tone OF the preaching
this respect changed. there was very prevalent
opinion among both clergy and aly that the abolition
OF Slavery Of those great dispensaions 0f ProY
dence before which every man must bow sincerely ana
humbly The loss Of their slaves had doomed many OF
them 20 their days in poverty and yet ne believed
they viewed things with submission and awnited the DO
vcOpments OF Divine Providence Inc maJofltJ OF th9
Southern people did not want TO have slavery re alcd
Vrginian had told nm that one or TWO lhleil ksnI
practical and enterprisiDg NoTtherners In neighbor
hood would regenerate tyery quickly. He next referred
10 the prevalent idea here that there bitter hostility
to Northern men at the SOUTH ana sald that tnin
did exist AT the close Of the war; but was now pretty
nearly passed away and this feeling always stronger
among those who stayed out OF the army than among
those who fought The business men give assurance thh
new comers will be welcomed not repulsed IL
true that the military not received very well, nor
tbe men Of the Fresdnens Bureau but with those who
came 10 make the South prosperous by settling there At
was "A different thing There was good deal of human
nature down South. Necessity had taught the South
good many lessons and would teach them good many
more In regard tie suffrage question: he said that
the South was opposed 10 Universal Suffrage but was
willing 60 accept Impartial Suffrage. that " a
suffrage based the limitations TO both races-a
imitcl suffrage But he believed that they
would accept Universal Suffrage II II should be
forced upon them.