The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-12-30

hand it to you for publication. It gives the
views of one, who by virtue of his residence
in Washington, is fully posted as to the po-
litical sentiments and agencies which con-
cern us of the South. The writer's too well
known here for me to say more than that
his views will receive most respectful con-
sideration from his old constituents
Yours respectfully,
J.P. THOMAS.
WASHINGTON, Dec 8.
COL j. p. Thomas DEAR SIR TN pur-
'suance of my promise to you, propose
briefly to give you my impressions as to the
political situation.
did not sooner comply with your request,
because thought the time was not propi-
tious. The passions engendcred by the pre-
sidential election did not permit calm con-
sidcration of events The election of Gen.
Grant settles much of the past and opens
new future to u.s. General Grants election is
the ratification by the people of universal
suffrage, subject to the fourteenth consfitu-
tional amendment, and establishes the legali-
ty uf the existing State organizations South,
which have grown up under the Reconstruc-
tion Acts of Congress. Such being the case,
think our people ought to accept these re-
suits as accomplished facts. The election
of Gen. Grant means yet more. The convic-
tion exists North with the majority of the
people, that opinion is not free South, and
that the political action of both whites and
blacks is subject to duress, proceeding to
the extreme in some instances, to actual vio-
lence and even political assassinations.
The election of Gen Grant is the protest
Of the North against this alleged condition
ofaffairs and means that all the power of
the Federal Government will bc exerted to
put it down. 1t is the danger arising out
of this matter, which strikes me as the most
alarming circumstance of our political
future Unless this condition of things is
suppressed hy the voluntary action of the
Southern States the most decided measures
will, Think, he resorted to hy the Federal
Government to cure the alleged evil; and
General Grant, as President. will, have
no doubt, enforce these measures of re-
preston energetically, with military force
This would naturally produce more revolu-
tion South, and its results might be
series of the most dcplorabc consequences
1
is matter of the greatest importance that
the Southern States should make the utmost
exertinns to remove all alleged causes of
complaint on this subject. and thus anti
cipate and render unnecessary the action of
the Federal Government
As additional inducement to this line of
action on your part. l would remark that
what You want, above all things at TIE
South, is internal harmony Ii you had
this, you would receive large influx of
white population and capital. This would
he of incalculable benefit to you, both in
its influence on your material interests, and
us relieving you from the apprehensions
arising from universal suffrage.
This obstacle to your receiving this popu-
lation and capital now, is the apprehension
which exists as to the anarchical condition
of your society. 1t is a striking fact, that
both the great political parties of the coun-
try. have thought it to he their interest to
represent Southern snciety US in a condition
of chronic insecurity and violence; the
Democrats, in order to show the evils of
universal suffrage; and the Republicans,
to illustrate the disoyal sentiment of the
people. and their consequent untitness for
any part in the control of the Federal
Government Between these tw" sets of
representations the movement of popula-
tnn and capital to the South, is almost en-
tirely checked 1t is your policy to have
it believed. that order rrigns supreme South.
Hence you ought to do every thing in your
power to make order the fact, and to
promulyatc it. You should, think, keep
several ideas prominently in view, as your
policy.
1. You ought to regulate the relations
between the whites and the blacks, So as to
have as much harmony and good feeling as
possible between them. To this end, moth
| iny is So eflicaciOus as kindness to the
blacks.
l. You ought to have perfect tolerance of
political opinion Let every one, whire and
| black, vote as pleases, and trust to your
| tact and natural influence for just share Of
| political power. -
! 3. You ought to extend q cordial and a
kind welcome to the Northern people to
settle among YOU. without regard to their
political opinions Once YOU did this, the
troubles of the future would he largely over
come, and your material progress would be
wonderful. See what immigration is doing
for the North west, in spite of its austere
climate. Think what immigration would
do for the genial South. a t
a. You ought to seek to conciliatc the
Federal Government Remember the Scrip
ture injunction, "Agree with thine adversa-
nv quickly" The Federal Government for
the present. and for years to come, means
the Republican party. Do not wage fran
tic war against this party. Remember that
the Democratic party is not strong enough
| b. q d., l,xn