The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-07-04
Condition of the South.

We extract below few passages from a
private letter written by an exceedingly intel
ligent physician in Southern Mississippi. He
is not a politcian--took no part in the rebel
lion against the Union-and having nc
thought of writing for publication, will be
surprised to see these extracts in print. lie
is thoroughly honest man, however, and we
should accept his statement as readily as We
would that of any honest man We know OF
under oath:
That the South can have no prosperity under
radical rule is already proven. Decentralization
and dependency have settled like midnight
pail upon our people. Every interest is para
lyzsd. We can see nothing but gloom and op.
preston before us vengeance and spite all
around w. When we surrendered we thought
we were yielding to magnanimous corguerors,
who, though differing widely and uncompro-
misingly with rs, yet sympathised with rs in
what they considered our errors. We gave up
the time-houcred institution, in which consisted
all our wealth, with great reluctance it is true,
but in good faith and having done so, we in
obliged no pucrile regrets, but were willing to
put our shoulders to the wheel and our hands 10
the pillow, willing to do all in our power to sus-
tain the Government which our fathers made,
and to which we and our children, and our chill.
drens children, must look for protection, and
which We never did learn TO hate, the statements
of demagogues and political gamblers to the con.
trary notwithstanding. ! will assert, without
the fear OF successful contradiction, that there
has always been as much love and veneration for
the Constitution of the United States, and all
laws made in accordance with its letter and
Apirit, in the South as in any other portion of
the country. If there were many among us
whose confidence in those who, having nothing
at stake themselves, demanded the sacrifice of
the source of all our prosperity, prompted them
to oppose the course Of the South, more recent
developments are fast convincing them of their
error. 1t is patent TO all observing minds here
that the supporters of radcalism in the South
are a set of hirelings, bribed by the prospect of
official position and power. They would sacri-
flee every principle OF honor and their country's
welfare to accomplish their ends anu If they
could see their accomplishment in an opposite
course, they would be Jealous opponents. do
not allude to the negro; he is mere passive,
irresponsible tool in the hands of a few, who.
without the support of the government, civil
and military would not be felt in the commune
ty. but with that support they rule our destinies
l will give you an example of our prosperity!
From the first day of May to the first day Of
June the tax collectors called on me We times
paid the four first; the last is not yet paid
There are now two or three dozen tax collectors
riding through this county. Where they cannot
get money, they seize the effects of she people
Our reconstruction convention,j so called, set
nearly four months, and cost the State two hun.
dred and fifty thousand dollars whilst the five
prior conventions held in this State, cost only
forty thousand dollars in the aggregate This
enormous sum OF money is raised by special
tax levied by themselves upon everything we
have Clothing Of ourselves and family, all
household and kitchen furniture, all stock, tools,
books, instruments, indeed everything we pos
sess, all the contents OF our smoke houses cribs
and barns, are included In default of payment,
they ordered the sheriff to sell US out in three
days, but our merciful king extended the time 10
thirty days. Yet we are forced to pay it by L.
S. bayonets. All this in our ruined and desoa-
lated condition, and we allowed no voice in the
government, either state or general.