The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-08-26
EiA naiasrsi TO 30 AvSil,slE.

y .rfo tHy uS9pfyhlt Oh pOuttcn anu Social
elements consequent to long war and
vai elements, there are certain dangers to
be avoided. Especially is it 30 in q vast
country like ours. inhabited by peoples
almostas distinct in their personal and
national characteristics as if they had
sprung from different races. In the
game >pf f'stoop to conquer" which the
weaker party is sometimes compelled to
play, the greatest oircumspection should
be, used, lest it should undergo some
moral metamorphosis in the course of
the contest that shall seriously impair its
native force and character.
Our friends in Virginia, Tennessee,
mississippi and Texas-we coll them so
because no man will dare question their
Integrity and devotion to the. South
have found it necessary, in order to re-
cover their rights as freemen, to form
for the time being a political union with
men with whom they do not agree upon
the questions that have of late agitated
the country. In other words, they have
agreed to suspend for the time their
honest convictions of public policy, that
they may regain their liberty and put
themselves in a position to be seen and
felt in the great movements of govern
ment. They do not sacrifice those con-
viotions, but simply agree to make them
no longer bone of contention since
they have become powerless to give
them practical effect in the Govern
ment. They are just and true in theory
and vindicated by all experience, and
as such the day for their resurrection
may be looked for with confidence.
There is nothing clearer than the propo-
sition that this Government cannot be
successfully administered upon the prin-
ciples laid down by the radical party.
They contain within themselves inha-
rently the elements of disintegration and
fiual expulsion. It is not our purpose
now to elaborate them.
But while true Southern men thus
unite for n great public purpose with
those who agree with them on certain
vital points, and differ on many others,
they should be careful that the character
of the union be clearly understood bv
themselves rs we'll MS by others. Assimila-
tion is principle of human nature.
When once in association with men, we
are apt to adopt their vices as we'll as
their virtues. What may now appear
opposed to all correct views of reason
and right, may, through familiarity, ap-
pear in time less odious, if not positive
ly tolerable. This result is to be guarded
against rs we value our character and
our peace. ., We want no Northern ,isms
and heresies engrafted upon Southern
stocks. Above all things, we should
shun what they boastingly denominate
'New England civilization" as the great
est enemy'to truth and our own happi-
ness. If we yield temporarily to false
theories and principles, let it only be
that they may have full scope to work
out their utter destruction. Such is the
destiny of error of every sort. Expe-
rience is the great test of truth and
eliminator of facts from fallacies.
In the second place, let Southern men
guard we'll those distinctive characteris-
tics that have always drawn broad line
between them and the people of the
North, and made the former, as people,
despite their faults, the admiration of
the world. That lofty independence of
character, that love of truth. that chival-
rous spirit that will do and dare anything
for the right, that contempt for every
thing that is mean and selfish and eroyel-
ing, that proud sense of equality with
the highest and magnanimous respect
for the weak and lowly--let these noble
traits OF Southern character be guarded
as religious trust, OF which neither
ovorawing power nor subtle temptation
can ever deprive us. Never sink your
identity with men who were never your
equals in the field or council, and who
were cowardly enough to Cypress you
after you had laid down your arms.
We advocate hate for no man or peo-
pie; we condemn and eschew the vices
and folliea of the North. The fortunes
of war have decreed that we live together,
and we would do so in peace, and even
in friendship, so far rs we may be allow
ed; but we protest against the surrender
of Southern tone and character, and til e
transplantation of New England theories
and sentiments in Southern soil. The
day we do either we shall be doomed.
SarannaA Republican.
AN ENGLISH Professor
Winlock, of Harvard College, was in
LOuiSyille XIV on Wednac5ov on5 :,