Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-02

talsehOOdS and the most treacherouS mis-.
presentations of the people among whom
he dwells. Ia the idea Of the Southerner,
the ''carpet-bagger" is the impersonation
of everything mean, unmanly, false, and
treacherous.
Let it be understood, however, that this
is not the idea entertained of all Northern
| men who take up their dwelling in the
South, or who travel there for purposes of
business or OF pleasure. I have penetrated,
as a missionary priest, through the most
inland sections [ have travelled by steam
boat and by rail from city to city have
| conversed with the people in the interior
OF the States from Alabama to the Carroll
mas and whether in hotel or on planta-
tloD, whether in company with the refined
| and elegant gentleman cr in contact with
the brawniest and toughest of the popula-
ton, have everywhere witnessed the ma
tnral openness and hospitality of the peo-
pie everywhere have REMARKED the char
acteristic good fellowship with which the
Southerners greet the presence of a stran-
ger. This good feeling is extended to all
who, while travelling OF sojourning in the
South, have the decency to observe the
common prophecies of life in their inter
course with others. Nay, it is remarkable
to witness the forbearaDce Of the people in
regard even OF those who violate without
decency or restraint the ordinary forms of
ctvility, and who take every opportunity
OF irritating the deep and painful wounds
that tester on the people. Any man may
travel without insult through that country
who will not wantOnly break those rules of
good behavior which it is requisite to OBJ
serve in New England or in New York.
Through Louisiana. throughout Alabama !;
on the railroads, on steamboat, and in
stage coach through Mississippi, Tennes-
see, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia
everywhere have [ met and conversed
with Northern men, some seeking lands to
locate on, some wishing to observe the
state Of the country, many rushing from
city to village as the representatives of me-
chaLical and commercial firms from New
York, Philadelphia, Boston, and other
Northern cities now seeking to re-establish
their business on the basis of Southern
trade ; aud these gentlemen gave all the
same satisfactory statement Of the courte-
sizes they experienced on every side.
Let honest-minded Northern men go in
among the Southern population, and but a
brief experience will be needed to dissi-
pate the prejudices disseminated by heart
less politicians and by braWling pulpit SLAM
derers
And why not hasten thither ? Does any
patriotic man wish the continuance of en-
nifty Who does not desire to fill up the
yawning chasm between North and South
which has been forced open by the selfish
efforts of intriguers What man is not
willing to throw his feelings into the gulf
that separates Us, and to rush with gener-
Gus impulse into the arms of This bleeding
brother ? Outraged honesty will curse the
rating bigot that would tell Us not to scat
ter flowers Of peace on the graves of our
o.
never flourish on the tomb whose tenant
when alive forbade Us in the name of re-
ligion or of country to scatter blossoms on
the bones of our chivalrous antagonist -
Living slaves OF Arlington Heights deny
the tribute of flower to the sleeping war
riOr, aud this act will be accursed when
Chattanooga will have forgotten its bitter
ness. On the battle field, it is the soldier
that grapples with his like. On Airing
ton, it is the grovellIng creature of revenge
that stamps upon the lifeiess form of his
master. soldier could not do it When
swords flashed and cannon blazed, it is the
patriot that bares his breast against the
living When words are to be whined
and flowers to be strewed, it is genera
ton of vipers that spit their venom into
tho earth that loves its inmates.
Let Americans be no more made cruel
wolves Let us remember that if we were
great in war, our glory will become more
brilliant in proportion as our peace is en-
nobled by generosity.
And if generosity will not prompt us to
manly forbearance, remember it is our in
terest, North and South, to hush for ever
the accents of hostility. We want one
another We will be great nation when
we are united people. The exhausted
finances of the South need the teeming
treasures of the North. We, in turn, want
the rich and varied products of the South.
They want our money to work their fields :;
we want their products to load the ship
ping that runs into our harbors in search
of the great staples Of American commerce.
The South wants the resistless energies of
the North to bringits broad lands into cul-
tivation and to turn It's bounteous waters
into channels of manufacture. We need
the great estates Of the planter to act Us an
offset to the bloated capital that strains
our Golfers and is making of us a people
overgrown in luxury and becoming cor
rupt in the spread OF social and political
rottenness.
It is only narrow -mindedness that can
fancy nothing good beyond the boundary
of it's own contracted vision. 1t is only
the open, the intelligent, the comprehen-
sive view that takes in the broad and mul-
tiplied avenues by which north and south
stretch themselves towards the goal of our
national honor and prosperity. Though
chivalry and high-mindedness have ever
been awarded to the southern people, they
cannot be ignorant that bravery and gene
rosity find manly hearts to dwell in along
the shores and over the fields of our north
ern and western country And whatever
be the faults discovered in the southern
character, our northern men are to obser-
want not to perceive the glorious qualities
of head and heart that distinguish the
southern populations, and make of them
high-toned people-a people that give
dashing elegance to American life, and
have always added SO much grandeur of
intellect and eloquence to the bar Of or
country and to the Legislative halls of the
nation.
Yes, we want the south and the south
wants us. We can bring them sinewy arms
and the needy money, with our CONNER
cial and manufacturing experience, to
work their wondrous resources into streams
of profit. They, on the other hand, will
give us fertile lands, and dashing streams,
and perennial sun, and hearty welcome,
with manly and generous cooperation. to
make the nation rich, and make our peo-