The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-03
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN GEORGIA.


s.tlHie ~--~~--~~>~>~~--~~>~-~~ ft
THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN GEORGIA.
-gat Ia ~---~--~~-~~-~--~~~~~>~--~ rV rrFr1r "a
The Negro Reaction as Seen In the Interior
Why the Carpet-Baggers Are No Longer
Trusted-Poiitical Meetings ind Grenr En-
GRIFFIN, August %, 1868.
When few weeks ago it was asserted In the
HERALD that reaction against the republican party
was progressing amorg the negroes OF the South
the radical newspapers ridicued the idea as prepos-
terousy absurd 1t is true that they have since dis
covered their error and can now count oniy on
Florida for Grant and Co!fax. Even that State
would have almost certainly been carried for
Seymour and Blair had not her carpetbag Le-
gislature passed bill taking away the election
from the people. Although, then, both political
parties at the North are now aware that many
hitherto radical negroes have joined the democracy
but few persons are aware OF how formidable q
nature the reaconis IN the large centres Of popu-
lation stranger cannot discover its extent. He
must visit the country to ascertain how rapidly ana
In what numbers the new voters are quitting their
quondam allies. This county, Spauldng, contains
about seven hundred white to nine hundred colored
voters At the election for Governor last spring the
democrats carried it, after hard fight by about one
hundred majority, and even then they only did so by
run the risk or voting Tor General Gordon. To-day
the whites express unoOunded confidence in being
able TO give Seymour and Blair from three to five
hundred majority. There will probably be not less
than sixteen hundred votes poled in the county, or
which the democrats will cast one thousand and The
radicals SIX hundred.
six months ago q .colored democratn was con-
sidered an anomaly; to-day dozens of them are
pointed out or heard openly avowing their purpose
OF voting the democratic ticket 1t must be borne in
mind, too, that this county which ia now being re-
ferred to particularly Is small one, that 1t has had
more than its share OF carpetbaggers and scaawags
teaching the negroes radical doctrines and although
the dangerous influence of these political incen-
diaries ID about at an end, there yet fingers little or
the leaven In former letters have stated that the
great secret OF the reaction TO be found in the fail
ure Of the radical leaders TO carry out their promises
to their dupes. Here elsewhere this is the causes
but travels further into this part OF the State
where the negroes prep0nderate our reasons Tor tne
change are discovered Falling TO re eeSe, s ns
dependent upon his former master, the negro ID be-
coming dissatisfied ,Dih his freedoa. The last four
words have been italicized because they express
great deal more than appears at frs glance. During
the past two days have conversed with not less than
twenty nine negroes OF this number eleven plainly
syowed the wish that they were slaves again. eight
admitted that freedom had not benefited them,
three believed they were freed too soon while seven
declared they would fight rather than be returned to
slavery, although they too confessed that they were
not as well OF nor as well cared for as when they
were In bondage. Here, then, were twenty-five out
OF twenty nine negroes who either directly indi-
reCty expressed regret at their having been set Free
The most remarkable fact In this connection IS that
these negroes were not selected for conversation.
They were taken haphaZard on the street OF on the
road. And another singular fact Is that while these
unfortunate creatures lamentng the breaking of
their bonds their former owners are becoming more
emphatic In their declarations that under no crcum
stances would they ever own slaves again. From al
can hear and learn, even the people OF the South
originally protested, against the introduction of
slaves into these States so would they loudly protest
against any attempt TO reinstate the Institution OF
negro slavery. Those at the North who imagine
that there exists desire to re-enslave the blacks
mistake the sentiments Of ninetenths OF the South
But q regards the feeling of dissatisfaction with
freedom as mentioned above, II Is probably true that
there has been what might be called ''undue infiu-
ence" used. In the great absorbing work OF getting
him TO vote the democratic ticket the whites have
ts M " snce the Wsr %
The friendly tone, small presents, paternal advice
which he has not known since lie became free have
all come back, and they have made the negro vir.
tual slave once more. SO long as he was looked
upon as freedman he was treated with no more
consideration than are the ereat mass Of laborers
throughout The world. The employer expected his
hired servant to do much work, and 30 long as he
performed 1t was almost wholly If not entirely indlf
1erent to his physical, moral or mental welfare In
the effort to win his vote all this is changed for the
better negro Is sick his employer can now be
found at his bedside, as he could have been In
the days Of the "Unon and constitution they
were" II he needs q little money, an article OF
other. Now more than ever he feels his dependence
upon the white native and this makes him not only
regret his freedom, but also mpes him to forsaxe the
Carpet-baggers and scalawags.
That there Is something unnatural and dangerous
In this alliance OF the negroes with the Southern
whites 10 undeniable. It Is unnatural because the
negro voluntarily unites himself with political or
ganization pledged to destroy has political power:
Il Is dangerous because 1t points to South united
as never before-a South without her element OF
weakness, strong, banded together, the balance OF
power In this republic and the real ruler until the
North again. In $780, revos, when We may have an
other bloody drama without the emancipation scene
and Its practical effects. In few years, whether he
continues to vote not, the negro will be cam0r-
Ing about southern rights" louder than ever his
white master did. Even now democratic negroes are
prating about Northern oppression" OF the 'South
ern peOplen 1t is true that this alliance will not con-
tinue always. No. Just as soon as combination OF
foreign Powers proner the negroes empire they Will
turn upon the Southern whites just as they are now
turning upon the Northern radicals, and stab them
70 the heart. n they can. .
Meanwhile they are attending democratic mass
meetings and barbecues in large numbers, hurrahing
for Seymour and Blair II their lives depended upon
H. and altogether displaying as much enthusiasm for
their part u being played In the mighty drama OF
American republican politics.