The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-01
A SOUTHERN VIEW.

General Rufus Barringer has written the fol-
lowing letter accepting the Republican nomina@
tion for ElectoI in the Sixth District OF North
Carolina. General Barringer is leading mem
Der Of the bar of his State, of large means and
high social standing He was opposed to the
secession of North Carolina, but after the war
had begun, entered the Rebel army, aud fought
gallantly, rising from the position of Captain to
Brigadier-General. Let every voter read it,
CHARLOTTE, N c., Sept. 2l, s6s.-Messrs.
William Sloan, $. z. Sheriff. James Mcdonald,
Committee, tc,-GentlemeD:-Hou ours OF the 18th
instant is before me- informing me of my uuanl-
nous nomination as the Grant and ColtaX
elector for this district. | have been absent
from the State four weeks, aud this nomination
was made without my knowledge or consent
did not wish 10 take an active part In poltlcs.
l have avoided committing myself fully to any
party. do not live by office or agitation. But
In view of the momentous issue presented by
the Democratic party at New York, / go for
Grant and Colfax with all my heart, and accept
the nomination rendered. l beg to thank the
Republicans of the district for the con idence
reposed in me, and to return the committee my
Obligations for the kind manner in which they
have made known to me the wishes of the party.
Owing to an affection of my voice, may not be
able to canvass very extensively; but shall in
few days enter upon the work before me.
Meantime l give you an outline OF my views,
which you can use as you think best
Early in the summer of 1906 | saw that re-
construction was not impossible, and resolved
to do all could to promote it. meant to do
so, not with mere lip service, bat with an
honest conviction and with a heartfelt zeal.
Why not? had once loved the Union. 1t was
the work ofour fathers. 1t had often protected
me in foreign and far distant lands 1t had
given us untold blessings az home. l had op-
posed the war, but when it came, and saw no
way to save ourselves-no hope to preserve
society, but for all to go together and take our
chances on the field OF battle forgot party,
and went into it with all my soul. While thus
doing my whole duty to my people and to my
section, nothing occurred 10 myself personally
to awaken undue bitterness or revenge. l
knew what the conflict would be before went
into IT. had cherished no prejudices against
the North. | had learned TO appreciate her
wonderful energy, steadlness OF purpose,
enterprise, skill, and genius | gloried in
what fercenesJ and fury free people always
fight. 1t was after all only a struggle between
two opposing theories of civilization, each supe-
rior OF its kind, but each having characteristics
hateful to the other. But with slavery-the
great distinctive feature-5one, the superficial
differences must gradually disappear. Our
theory having gone under, we had no alternative
but TO adopt the other, and to proceed cautiously
and gradually to conform to 1t, or plunge hope
lessly into the vortex OF anarchy and strife.
recognized the fact that great wars settle poiti-
cal rights and principles People, said we were
not conquered, but overpoWered by numbers.
But there are always moral causes that give the
victor his numbers, and inspire them with forti-
tude, enthusiasm, and courage to press on ward
efforts.
What were these moral causes? The unreaec.
tive the selfish, and the vindictiVe are apt to
look only at the surface, and say hate ttnati-
cism, aud the lust of power. But it is fatal
mistake to suppose that these permanently con.
trolls the interest of man, guide the destiny of
nations, or animate the hopes of the world.
Whatever, then, the moral causes were that
triumphed in the conflict, they must go on to
conquer, until they reach their Just and legiti-
mate results. The millions that prayed and
Nprsbb had
this, stop at any halfway house, or turn back in
defeat and disgrace. Until these results are
reached there can be no Iepose. Resistance
teammates them. But once reached all settle
down, and the work of peace truly begins.
Passions die out The wounds of war are healed.
Society is reconstructed on its true basis. Virtue
and intelligence resume their sway. Rents
made in laws, constitutions, aud in all prescrp-
tive rights are peacefully bound up and the
new guarantees become political landmarks.
Nov, all admitted that it was the Republican
party that triumphed in the war. Here at the
South it was ever charged that it was the essen.
tial elements of Black Republicansm that
We're at work North that elected Mr.. Lincoln,
that organized the Union armies, and that led
them finally to victory. The great bulk of the
Democrats North, who entered the Federal
amy. became Re )ublicaus. In May, 1865 the
Democratic party was pollncally dead, and the
distinctive tenets of Repubcanism were prac-
tcallY recognized all through the North For
myself, always telt that these theories lay at
the bottom of the Revolution. | did not dread
them 10 the extent OF others, and l was always
willing to compromise our troubles, if could
have believed that the Southern people were
only in temper to accept just results. knew
they were not, and l was willing, rather than
suougatioD, to fight for their sake. But when that
overwhelming calamity came, | said promptly
and frankly, accept the results of our defeat
adopt Republican theories and proceed in our
way and time to conform to them. will be fran k
now, and admit that the progress of the war, aud
especially nv own experience in the army, dis.
PEELED In some measure prejudices had against
the masses, and especially colored people. As
southron born and as Confederate officer
never can forget the fidelity and devotion of the
humber class of whites and OF the slaves in our
midst. Though 1t comes from myself will say
N:-lf the politicians and upper class at home
who had all at stake, had done their duty, like
those in the army, the result might possibly
have been different. Through four terrible
years / for one never missed O tour of duty
except when wounded, on leave, or la prison.
Nor did my men desert me. No member of nv
old company was ever so much as tried by a
general court martial My regiment was pro-
nounced In official reports "a pattern for Others I"
My brigade entered upon the campaign of 1865
with thrice the numbers of any other in the
service aud in the day OF trial thirty officers and
over two hundred men sealed the last Confede
rae victory with their blood. Let those who en- :
toyed bomb-proots aud civil offices, while brave
and true men battled at the front, call me what
they please am bold to say that the lesson of all
our troubles has given me more faith Ia the
humber American freeman, more confidence in
liberal institutions, and, am not afraid to say,
more respect Tor even Black Republican prnci-
pies. am not ashamed of the cause for which
i fought, nor OF the part played in the war.
But rs God In His mercy spared my life through
seventy and odd actions on the field Of battle,
through three dangerous wounds aud through
scenes OF death In camp and In prison more ter.
rble than fields OF conflict, trust have lived
10 learn at least something by experience, and
That may ever have the nerve and independ
ence to declare for the right. No man cherishes
more than do the heroic courage of the South