The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-04-15
NORTHERN ESTIMATE OF SOUTHERN CHAR
ACTER

in New York, and has large circulation, we be-
lisve. The article relates to Northern immigra-
ton to the South, and embodies a letter from the
editor of an influential journal of this State.
Without any mock modesty, we desire to avow the
authorship of the aforesaid letter. and to present
some additional thoughts for the benefit of our
Northern cotemporary, who is really anxious to be
enlightened US TO the willingness and anxiety OF
our people on the subject of Northern and Euro
pean immigration
We wish to preface our remarks, however. with
the suggestion that it does become the Southern
people to make loud protcstations Of their "frend-
ship." and neither is it their desire te be under
stood as Offering sympathy with Northern ideas
or prejudces, when we say to them, bring along
your capital and laborers, and build up the waste
places and resuscitate the prosperity struck down
by four years of ravaging warfare. We turn aside
from "sentiment,' and are looking practical
question sauarey in the face. But it is most
assuredy true. on the other hand, that during the
last few years, jnsteel Of sympathy or friendship,
or peace, the South hns received only kicks and
bruises from the conquerng power; and when q
those who love her most and have proven their de
vo,ion on enssnguined fields cannot refrain from
giving expression to their thanks, and manifesing
an unmixed appreciation of the manly courage re.
quisite to plead in her behalf before the prejudices
and hate of reviling horde.
| And this brings us TO examine the statement of
our editorial brother, who declares that "ths po-
itical action of the Northern people in no
sense one of hatred OF ill-fccing" The past tense
here indicates the action taken by the North in
coerciug their Southern brethren into the Union.
1t cannot certainly be applied to the legislation OF
Congress for the past wo years. nor to the appeals
made during the late Presidential canvass, when
the cry Of "rebel" was heard all over the land,
and every opprobious epiihet heaped upon the
party with whom the white people Of the South
were affiliated. Had there been no ill-fceling or
hatred engendered by the bitter partizan legisla-
tion and malign influences brought 10 bear upon
the subject Of reconstruction, other questions
would have cngrosscd the attention Of the North
ern masses. But this was the prominent idea kept
before them, and the flame was being continually
famed by startling reports Of "rebel outrages, "
when in point of fact the South is to-day just as
peaceful and law-abiding rs at any time during
the progress of reconstruction and not moro so.
There has been no change of public sentiment We
are uncompromisingly opposed TO the political
machinery now ruling this State, and will not
relent that opposition cease TO denounce its u.s.
urpations and high-handed acts. We know and
/ Sc u, ,l,o hyt r..
venturers proceed from their hatred and lfceling.
because forsooth respectable people will not hold
social or business intercourse with them. 1t may
be possible that many Of our people are led TO the
conclusion that these men nre true representatives
of the North, and thus place wrong estimate
we always have contended that they are no more
fair specimens of Northern character than are the
pretended Southern loyalists proper exponents o
the masses here.
Looking ct the other side of the question, and
more directly towards the object we have in view
(Which is to convince our editorial friend thst he
misconceives the action and motives of the South.
fern people,) let us briefly review the position ns
sumed as 10 non-intercourse with carpet-bag
gers" and the ostracism of so-called Unonists
We will frankly admit that sojourners in the
North are treated with civility and kindness. Peo
pie from this section who travel there or elsewhere
are apt to belong to that class known as wealthy
and hence respectable, rs the world goes Their
object is sight. seeing and pleasure, and in proper
ton to their is attention bestowed upon their
wants and comfort. They are received with kind
ness, even cordially and friendship" But new
look at the difference. They are not after proita.
BILE Offices nor seekingto gain politics power over
their temporary neighbors, as is the case with the
class denomina,ed carpet-baggers in the South.
They do not strive to obtain the mastery over The
ignorant and poorer classes in order TO oppress
and dcspoil the people among whom they are DOM
iciled for few months. They are not fomenting
discord and producing dissensions between upper
and lower clnsses Of society simply because their po
stion strangers enables them 10 take advantage OF
domestic feuds In word, their object is to spend
money for the benefit of all classes, and not to
rich themselves. The carpet-oaggers, on the 9TH
er hand. are mere political mountebanks, here to
day and there tomorrow, always seeming the op
portunity of personal aggrandzeEent and merccn.
ary gain Does orr friend wonder that they are
despised and contemned, and that socially and po
litcally VIC have no intercourse or dealings with
them
It s alleged, however, that "eveu SoMherg men
who stood true to the Union publicly ostrn
cised for their sympathies Not SO. Throughout
our acquaintance in this State, in every Federal
office, among the natives who have subscribed ie
the tes-oatl-tte highest proof of their devotion
to the Union-there has been no such proscrip
tion, except where it was clearly manifest that
the profession of loyalty was co-e1istent with ar
nnnnrinniiy 70 enjoy Federal nntronnre Thf