New-York tribune., 1869-03-27
4 CATHOLIC At THE SOUTH.

We take pleasure in making some extracts
from private letter, written to Charles A.
Lane, esq, by his friend, the Rev. Thomas
Farrell of st. Joseph's Catholic Church of this
city, who is sojourning in the South during the
Winter for the benefit of his health. The let
ter is dated Green-Cove Springs, Florida, Feb.
81. 1t is a remarkably lucid statement of the
case, and. coming as it does from Roman
Catholic clergyman, than whom few can be
found more jealous and devoted in his calling,
it must be potent if not to remove, at least to
shame once more the base prejudces and paltry
subterfuges of those who labor to keep whole
people in antagonism with the legitimate pro-
gress of the American Nation:
DEAR Mr.. LANE II very often difficult to disproye
what is asserted boldly and In general terms to the dsad
vantage OF others In such cases. We can suspend our
Judgment untl obtain the information necessary to
form correct opinion Such has been my position In re-
gard to the Coloed people Of the South and resolved
the first opportunity that presented ITSELF to visit them
and Judge for myself Experience taught me to dsbe-
leve many things said against them both on account Of
tho source whence they proceeded aud the unworthy
contempt and unehrtan hatred manifested toward that
oppressed people. Before Emancipation. we were told
they were not t for freedom but we were never told
when they would be 1T. person Is not ut to read m lie
learns nor to practice most cangs till he is taught
remember an aged clergyman who, In speaking against
their freedom used to with great gravity and show
OF wisdom, per- ought not TO 20 into the water TIL
no knows how to swim" IL was sad To sec his Juniors
laughing at the obstinate stupidity and prejudice Of age
and yet they obstnatey stupid on that subject
as he was or any one could be.
And now after all the observations could make and
all the information could get have no hesitation In
saying that they will the franchise just as ntegenty
as the same class OF persons In Newfork was once
very we'll satisfied with free lom for the Colored people
without the right to vote But an esteemed friend con-
yinced me that they could not without 1t protect them
selves In their rights Now satisfied that the fran
chise is absolutely necessary for them aud that In re-
pubcan government, is for the poor
man than IL ia for the rich IL makes prospect himself
and makes others respect him. Without It, that defer
ence which soohes the hard lot Of toll would not DO paid
him. The statesman the lawyer, the divine, and the
politician would never erect their rOstrums in the slums
of our cities the schoolmasters of the labor
dpg classes II they had not the right vote Before
Emancipation it was predicted that the negroes would
come North aud away the employment Of the Whites
But they did not come and yet fasy OF the predc
ton did not stop the mouths Of the prophets Of evil
They next foretod that they would not work and that
we would be taxed to support them in ideness Well,
IL they had little ideness for the years OF toll during
which they supported and kept others in idleness 1t
would be only just compensation and would like TO
see little Of IT, II only show how It enjoyed. But
the fact h that the labor done here Is performed
by them and they just willing as other people to
do honest days work for far wages II treated kindly
and paid fairly, should hear very little OF those
troubles between employer aud employed which annoy
much at the North and which tend to disturb the
otherwise quiet aspect OF the South living perma-
nenty at the South would not wish for more indus
trous respectful and obeden aborng people They are
capable any other people Of learning any trade
that may be taught them. There are even now, many
very good carpenters brckayers and backsmiths among
them We constantly hear people talking of their igno
rance and yet find them equally a intelligent with the
class OF people at the North as the laboring
population Of the Old World II Is true that most OF
them either read write. But could this be
peccd when 1t lately crime to teach them, rs IL
was for them to learnt Thank Godl 1t is longer.
They pretty we'll supplied with good schools,
which are well attended aud the testimony OF their
teachers who White and many OF thom natives OF the
South s that the children doce smart and intel
gent the GLASS Of White children II the parents
had been educated, the children OF course would have
greater facilities and hepa In learning understand
that tho Freedmens Bureau TO DO continued somo time