The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-07-17
Southern Invitations for North
CrEs Egstes prise.

From Frank Lesl;e's Illustrated Newspaper.
The leading question before the
try-the reconstruction of the Southern
States in such way as to harmonize with
the other portions of the national Union
is nov fortunately, in such a pratical
shape that the whole community may
find abundant opportunities for promot-
ing the good work in ways suited to the
various tastes aud energies of people III
all localities, South and North. Con'ro-
versies en- the political topics involved
in the rebellion are happily giving way
before the industrial and social object OF
making the best Of the situation.'
Though opinions cannot be changed as
readily az garments. the Southern pco-
pie to I great extent, are wisely over
looking, if not forgetting. the antago-
n;slns Ut former years, and are inviting
Northern people to combine with them
i'll promoting Southern Prosperity. with
t which the welfare Of the whole country
is iuseparablv intcrtwined. The recol~
struc'i"n we mean is not alone political
+ t"ymalit,, but Il praciic%l. materials liv-
ing rralitv-lLp spirit that brea,hvs iifr
and beauty among the dry bones Of the
Southern valleys.
Right heartily i" we congratulate the
people, of both s. ctin1IS on thi, auspici"us
>tate OF til, g. We know # no way
for promoting he general welfare mere
rtf"ctuaI!y than by urging the enterprise
and Cal iial # the North to co operate
with the Southern landowners in repair
ing the wastes of war, in ~Irmo.ing
educational and religious improvement;
i'll developing the varied and vast resour-
ces of the regions below the Mason and
Dixon boundary, which is happily now
no longer a dividing line b,tween slavery
and freedom.
Thousand and ten thousands of the
most enterprising people OF the North,
hitherto prevented from settling in the
South, are now resolving to carry out
their loug-chrrished dcsires-the great
barriers which formerly depressed them
having disappeared with the extinction
Of >laverv. Many have already exchang-
ed their Northern homes for farms and
workshops in the sunny South, and "the
cry is, still they come" This sign of
the times is rendered the more cheering
by the fact that the Southern States are
now formally inviting the immigration
they formerly repealed. Commissioners
for promoting immigration have actually
been sent to the Northern States, as we'll
as to Europe, by several Southern
States, in which Virginia furnishes a
signal example, in sending Northward
a gentleman like General Imboden, an
ex-oficer of the Confederate army, to
show most forcibly, as it We're, the chang
ed feeling that now invites Northern
settlers to aid in developing the immense
natural advantages of the Southern sec
ton ofthe Union.
And, talking of resources, what region
of the world possesses greater advanta-
ges than the vast country between the
Potomac and the Mexican gulf, between
the Atlantic coast aud the western boun-
daries of Missouri, Arkansas and Texas?
Climate, soil, farming products. min
eral deposits, with navigable and rail-
way facilities for promoting intercourse
and bringing the farmer and mechanic,
the merchant and the manufacturer
within easy reach Of the best markets,
are not all these advantages possessed
by the Southern States to a degree un-
surpassed in any other region of equal
extent under the canopy of heaven?
Such attractions, now fairly presented,
and freed from the features that hereto
fore checked emigration from Europe as
we'll as from the Northern States-such
vast and varied attractions as the South
possesses, we repeat, must soon be i'm
proved by capital and labor from the
North and from Europe, to an extent
which will satisfy our Southern friends
generally that the change in their con-
dition, however saddeni"g the means by
which it was effected, will in it's results,
be productive of benefits surprising all
the dreams of real greatness ever indulg-
ed by the mo- enthusiastic Southerners.
But let US all remember hat social
harmony and industrial cooperation are
Indispensable for a full realization of
this cheering prospect. Let those who
go Southwark remember that it is neith-
er generous nor polite to indulge in
feelings or language that might medlessly
increase the sadness or bitterness which
not unnaturally fingers in the minds of
many Southerners. Courtsey and good
fellowship at all times forbid the need
less discussion of unpleasant topics; and
while we would be among the last to
favor a time serving course, or to advise
the suppression of honest sentiment when
self respect requires manly assertion
thereof, WI earnestly urge upon all,
from South and North, to "let by-gones
be by-gones, and bury their prejudice
with their hatchets in the grave of the
defunct institution that c~ngendered our
troubles. Never was there better OPP
.portunity on both sides for the exercise
Of Christian charitv-for the magnanim-
ity that characterizes the lady and
gentlcman-and for the quiet influence
of that courtesy and kindness on which
the happiness of society everywhere
Southerncrs and Nor;herners should
ever remember that true heroism is al
ways generous. that chivalry, in its
proper sense, includes the Modest quail
les of our nature. Victrrs in honorable
should seek to assuage the all
;uish Of their opponents; while the AN.
may rnnohle& themselves by
bearing adversely, hy rvipcing