The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-02-13

nere ana poNSfcel hee Vol. AcOiure nm.
deratand this-that our manners are onr
own. and that our politics are equally
ours 10 settle for ourselves.
The extract closes with criticism
upon the women Of the South. The
men, he thinks, are gradually becoming
reconstructed, but the womenl Here lies
the trouble. Ii
Abiding to the fact that the Southern
people are slow to extend hospitality
even to the most reputable Northern
visitors, and Mat ibis is tie great bar to
Southern regeneration, he says:
"For exercising this fatal influence
over the destiny of South Carolina, the
women are rather to be pitie,l than
blamed. The Northern women cannot
appreciate the sorrows Of Southern wo-
men. Whether real or imaginary, the
sorrow is the same. They have been
reared in the utmost dependence-not
upon themselves, but upon others.
They were taught, in theory and in
practice, that they were to command and
others to obey-that they were to enjoy
and others to labor. Of the world, they
knew nothing, beyond reaping where
they had not sown, and now they are
bereft of property and service, and are
plunged into poverty, with utter helpless
ness to make it perpetual They dare
not learn to be useful to themselves and
their children, for that would be disgrace
full; they cannot learn, if they would, for
there are none to teach them. The indie
pendent, selfreliant, progressive woman
of the North is an abomination in their
sight, and is Stunned as an unsexed
social monster. Congress may practically
reconstruct the men of the South, but
what power exists sufficient to the task of
reconstructing the Southern women?
When this problem is solved, the worl;
of reconstruction can be completed.
The solution is question of years"
This now involves an unfounded state
ment, with respect to our Southern
women. AS general rule, the ladies Of
the South have adapted themselves with
wonderful pliability, grace and patience
to thcir changed circumstances. Though,
in many eases, reared IL aAucncc. ani1
unaccustomed to help themselves, they
have, very generally, gone to work, sub
mitted, without murmur, to iabors and
privations, and have SO acted rs to com
mand the admiration of all unprejudiced
and fair-minded persons. Well might
this writer have said that if Southern
men have lost their virtues, they have
all found Il resting, place in Southern
women. Self-sacriticing, patient, faith
full always, the women of the Souah are
as far above the slight of this Northern
writer, as the sun is out of the reach oi
the vain archer who woald seek to pierce
his shining sphere.
In conclusion, Colonel NIcC. looks tc
Northern emigration as the only hope Of
South Carolina aud of the South. Ad
NIT the Northern family to our socia
circle, and bring the Northern man down
South, and we will be redeemed. He
says:
Northern capitalists are now gradu
ally possessing the Southern railroads
Factories will follow and employ the fine
water powers and cheap labor so abund
ant here. Farmers will sell their
Northern farms ut $50 to $50 per acre
and buy equally fertile lands, with the
| nOsC lnVltlnS climate, Tor from So &c
SIS per acre, and Northern mechanics
must come to keep pace with Northern
progress. Northern merchants will
settle in Northern communities, which
will have Northern schools and teachers,
and Northern churches and pastors, and
necessity will make the Southerner nd
vance. The present generation will
move slowly, but the next will be glad
to accept Northern ways and respect
Northern energy. The hope Of the
South is in Northern emigration, and
the sooner it comes the sooner will the
blessings of peace and prosperity hea
the wounds and restore the desolatcG
places of the sunny South"
In relation to this point, we are not sc
much impressed MS Col. McC., as to the
paramount necessity of Northern mer
here. But we say, let them come! Lee
them come with their money or theil
muscle. The land is open to them
We promise them fair field. We shall
learn from them, and perhaps they will