The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-09-25

vance of the South. Churches in the
North crown every hill, and schools
swarm in every ncighborhood; while
the South has but scattered lights, at
long distances, like lighthouses twink
ling along the edge of u continent Of
darkness. In the presence OF such
contrast, how mean and craven is the
fear that the South will rule the policy
of the land? That it will have an in
fluence, that it will contribute, in time,
most important influences or restraints,
we are glad to believe. But if it rises
at once to the control of the Govern
ment it will be because the North de-
moralizcd by prosperity, and besotted
by groveling interests, refuse to dis
charge its share of political duty. In
such u case tie South not only will con-
troll the government, but it ought to
do it.
1t is feared, with more reason, that
! the restoration of the South to her full
Independence will be detrimental to the
freedmen. The sooner we dismiss from
our minds the idea that the freedmen
can be classified, and separated from the
white population, and nurseG and de-
Tended by themselves, the better it will
be for them and us. The negro is part
and parcel of Southern society. He
cannot be prosperous while it is un-
prospercd. Its evils will rebound upon
him. Its happiness and refrigeration
Cannot be kept from his participation.
The restoration Of the South to AMIGA
bic relations with the North, the reor-
ganization of It's industry. the reinspira-
ton of its enterprise and thrift will all
rebound to the trcedmcn's benefit. No
thing is so dangerous to the freedmen
as an unsettled state Of society in the
South. On him comes all the spite and
anger and caprice and revenge. lie will
be made the scapcgoat Of lawlcss and
| hCartlcsS men. Unless We turn the Co.
vcrnmcnt into vast military machine
there cannot be armies enough to pro-
tcct the freedmen while Southern socic-
ty remains insurrCctionary. If South.
ern society is claimed. settled and occu.
pied, and soothcd, with new hopes and
prosperous industries, no armies viii
be needed. Riots will subside, lawless
hangers OH will be driven off or better
governed and q way will be gradually
opened up to the freedmen, through
education and industry, to full citizen
ship, with all its honors and duties.
Civilization is q growth. None cal
escape that forty years in the wilder
ness who travel from the Egypt Of ig
norancc to the promised land Of civil
cation. The freedmen must take thei
! march. / have full faith in the results
If they have the stamina to undergo TIT
, hardships which every civilized peopl
t has undergone in their upward progress
they will in due time take their place
among us. That place cannot be bought
, nor bcqucathcd, nor gained by slight o
| hand. 1t will como to sobliety, virtue
: industry and trugality. rs Tie nation
cannot be sound until the South is pros
, porous, so, on the other extreme. q heal
thy condition of civil society in tn
, South is indispensable to the welfare o
f the freedmen.
+ Meanwhile, the great chasm which re
: belion made is not filled up. 1t grow
n deeper and stretches wider! Out of
n rise dread spcctrcs and threatening
;. sounds. Let that gulf be closed, an
n bury in it slavery, sectional luminosity
and all striies and hatrcds!
= 1t is fit that the brave men who, o
n sea and land. faced death to save the nc
n ton, should now, by their voice an
o. vote, consummatc what their sword
!. rendered possible.
f For the sake of the freedmen, for til
n sake Of the South and its millions {
our fcllow-countrymcn, for our ow
= sake, and for the great cause Of fret
4 dom and civilization, | urge the in
4 mediate reunion Of all the parts whic
+ rebellion and war have shattered.
am truly yours,
-, HENRY WARD DEECUER,