The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-05-15
The Haisoslal Exeurassn....

IaS kSoasosial 6xourot0u.s>s
Although due and even conspicuous men,
ton is made in couple of New Orleans Pc
pers Ct the. arrival in that city, along with
many other participants in the late editorial
excursion. Of the editor of the Ottawa FREE
TRADER, truth compels us to say that we
were not of the party, though we were not
without representative in it. But beyond
numerous assurances from members of the
party that our representative, on account of
his rare social qualities, did us no discredit.
We have not a word from him personally
shout the great excursion, so that we are loft
to the reports Of Others, or the resources of
our Imagination, for a description Of the
affair. Under the circumstances we can only
say briefly that the party, to the number of
1875 mates, with about the same number of
ladies, met at Carlo, where two DAYS were
spent in holding the annual meeting of the
association and partaking Of the inequalities
OF the people OF Cairo and Mound City.
From Cairo the party proceeded to Columbus
BY steamer, and thence, by the Mobile & Ohio
r. +. to the city of Mobile. Here their re-
iception was made grand ovation. For the
iirst two days they were made the guests OF
the carpet Dagger negro equality city govern
ment, yet so considerate were these author.
tiles that, although quite large proportion
Of the city council Of Mobile consists Of ne
groes, at the state dinners and big suppers
none of the negro officials were present.
For the next two days, the party were tax
en- in charge by the Board Of Trade of Mo-
bile, which is made up of and controlled by
the white, conservative, or s'rebel" element !:
and although it is agreed on all hands that
the carpet Dagger city authorities did the
thing handsomely, all admit that their treat
ment by the other element was simply magni-
fcent. At Mobile the party divided, about
half returning home by the way Of Columbus,
Miss. and Montgomery, Ala, and the other
half by way of New Orleans-each division
being the guests of the cities named respec.
lively, and being treated with generous hos
pitality that amazed them.
Inc excursion, however, would have been
worse than useless waste of time and dead
head tickets and sinful consumption of
oysters, champaign, claret and cigars, had its
only object been pleasure trip or spree,
and its only results the usual headache and
e'nm. But we are charitably to suppose that
these editors went with other and higher aims.
Many of themIhad heard and written good
deal about the people of the south, but had
never seen them. They went to see for them.
selves, to come in contact with the southern
people. talk with them, learn to understand
them, and to judge for themselves of the ca.
liabilities and prospects of the country. And
we have the encouraging assurance of one of
the most intelligent and at the same time most
Intensely radical editors Of the party, s'that
they have returned with new and amended
opinions on all these subjects" 1t is to be
hoped that this is true, and that the radical
press OF Illinois, instead of following their old
trade of misrepresenting and ylllifying the
south, will show willingness hereafter to
concede that even men who were once slave
Holders and rebels, have Some claim to be
treated as human beings % ts'