The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1868-09-25
LETTER FROM A NORTHERN CLERGY
MAN

/ 49, - - - --~~--~-
MAN.
The Norfolk Journal has been shown
private letter from an intelligent cler-
gyman of New York, addressed to a
brother clergyman, well known in Vir-
GINA, from which the following interest
ing extracts are made, bearing upon the
political condition of the country:
"You apologize for introducing politi-
cal questions. Had you been writing to
most of our Northern ministers, it might
have been infpolite; for most of them
are of the Radical school. Radicalism
has been popular, and many have adher-
ed to the stronger party more out of in
terest than principle. | would not have
you infer that favored secession, or
that | was in favor of slavery. / think
the people of the South made great
an unfortunate mistake, when they re-
solved to secede. Had they remained
in the Union, they might have depend
ed ON the Conservative men at the North
to aid in protecting their rights under
the Constitution but when they decid-
ed. to secede, they lost this hold upon
the Conservative men, and united all for
the maintenance of the Government.
There were many men here, like my
self who were anti-slavery in principle
that is, who regarded slavery as wrong,
but who were opposed to its forcible
abolition by Government. They con-
sidered that the States were entitled to
manage their domestic Institutions in
their own way. But when the results of
the war worked out the freedom of the
slaves, we had but little pity for the
South. The South should have foresecn
this result. We had hoped for the ex-
tinction of slavery in quiet and peace
able manner-under circumstances in
which both the slave and master would
have been better prepared for it, and
without the expensive and bloody con-
sequences that have resulted. As it is,
the North and the South have both been
sorely punished; but, in my opinion,
the black race is destined to extinction
in this country. They may be enfran-
chiscd and the power placed in their
hands, but this will only hasten their de-
struction.
The great object of the Radical party
is to retain power. They care no more
for the interests of the black man than
for the imam in the moon." The en-
tire Southern representation would have
been admitted at the opening of the last
Congress, if they would have acted with
the Radicals; and the great struggle
has been to disfranchise until they could
make Republican States out of them !;
and even now they dare not trust those
States that have been reconstructed. |
not only agree with you that the hope of
the South is in the success of the Dem
oeracy, but / feel that the hope of the
entire country depends upon such a re-
suit. In the present crisis, | feel that
there is no better man in the ac0yld for
President than IIoratio Seymour.
These arc sentiments that | openly
avow, even in the midst of extremely
Radical ministers, and many have been
the hypocritical meanings and regrets
because of my position. But | am con-
tent to bear their reproaches, and trust
that time will demonstrate the correct
ness of my position. think the true
policy is moderation, but firmness in re-
gard to equitable rights, carefulness
about running into extremes, making
the most of what educational means she
can command, that her young men and
women may be qualified for duty at the
proper time. The Acknowledgement will
work evil but few years, and it relief
is not afforded in other ways, it may be
secured by the next generation. But |
have strong hope in the overthrow OF
Radical power, and the return Of good
feeling and general prosperity. | have
strong desire to visit the South, and
have sometimes marked out in the pro
grammc of the future that [ will do so,
but see no opening that way at pres
ent."