The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-07-08
How the South May Prosper.
[ From the Grand Army Journal

and obtain the recognition of those
principles OH which alone free
country can be prosperous, we are
constantly grieved by learning the
bitter truth that certain districts
are disturbed and acrimoniously re-
bel. For this there must be Il cause,
and as the South has not kept
abreast Of progress, some cause eX-
lists for this also. The condition of
affairs in the late insuuectionary
States can not be concealed, though
discomfort and crime be denied by
interested parties. What is wanted
is pretty broadly made known, but
the reason why the want has not
been supplied is not so plainly
stated.
No one who watches the course
of public events can be ignorant
that Southelners are lamenting the
absence Of immigration and capital.
On these two subjects there is no
lack of impressive writing and
speaking. off we only had," they
say, "the class Of men we need to
help build up the South, and whose
energy and money could be utilized,
we would get on very WELL" And
doubtless they would, if the men
and means were in their midst.
Some men with some means, how
ever, have made the experiment,
and having proceeded to the South
with the intention of settling or
trading, have unfortunately met
with an experience. That expert
ence has not been sufficiently favor
able to Justify them in recommend
ing their friends to follow their ex
ample. To be stigmatized as scar
pet-baggers' and 'scalawags" was
not pleasant. And to be denounced
as interlopers, coming for the eX-
press purpose of seeking Office Or
securing d fortune, was not regarded
as a welcome greeting - especially
in some instances denunciation has
borne fruit, the new comers having
been served with notice to quit by
the Ku-klux, or shot by masked as
sassins without time to dispose of
their property by will.
Did it never occur to the South
that the pet-bagger was the pio-
neer of the immigrant? -? The mo-
tive which induced him to change
his residence was the same that ac-
trates us all. Work, with it's re-
ward, was his principal object, and
in this he was not singular. More
over, has it been forgotten that on
his report others would be influenced
at home? The South has defeated
it's own hope by causing such men
to be sneered at, attacked or slain.
Bold and adventurous as they were
to run such risks, very few would
be disposed to share their fate. No
charm exists in the South unless
there is perfect safety of life, limb,
and property, and perfect freedom
of opinion. People from without
will not accept the chance Of in
creasing in wealth as a compensa-
ton for maltreatment or death.
Whether the South understands this
matter we are greatly in doubt. In
the old days of slavery no man could
speak openly and be unmolested if
he differed from the general senti-
ment. To the justice and propriety
of human bondage every one was
made to bow.
The very slaves were taught to
believe their condition was a bless
ing, and they cunningly seemed to
acquiesce. But if some noble heart
ed son of the North, who had been
nurtured in freedom, spoke as he
felt, he was forced to leave or was
The sudden disappear
ance of opponents of slavery at that
period of our history was a common
occurrence. A line in a newspaper
recorded the fact, and sometimes
the finding of a corpse followed. 1T
is said that the sea will give up its
dead on the great day. On that
same day also. will the multitude be
swelled from the swamps and rivers
and forests of the South by the. brave
and the true-both of men and wo=
could not and would not
be silent in the presence of the own
Ell of human flesh and blood! - IA
Common sense indicates that if
the South expects Northern men
within its borders, it must offer them
advantages of a similar character to
those they would leave. A fair field
and no fayors is all that is looked
for. The manner of life in the North
leads instinctiyely to vigorous tax
ing hold of whatever may be press
ed onward by intelligent industry.
Northern men have been accustomed
to see industry prosper and labor
treated with respect. Thriving com
munities of industrious people have
risen up all around us. And if the
secret of thrift is to be transplanted
to the South, it must be left free to
grow. Men who build railroads and
mills, locomotives and steamships,
open up mines, erect houses, or car
ry ON farming as science, must not
be slandered, hindered, or endanger-
ed at their work. The South will
want them forever if it cannot guar
antee quiet home and gentlemanly
treatment. This they deserve, for
they possess that element Of gentil
ity which has blessed the world and
laid it under lasting obligation.
LET the South reflect unnn this