The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-07-22
THE PLAIN TRUTH.
4 REPUBLICAN, REFUTES THE SIAN
DERS AGAINST OUR STATE.

4 REPUBLICAN REFUTES THE SIAN
DERS AGAINST OUR STATE.
How Honest Settlers arc Received In
South Carolina.
The Baltimore Sun says: "The annexed
letter, in regard to South Carolina, its people,
their disposition and prospects, is interesting,
and gives refutation to much that has been
alleged against the people of that State IN
justification of the continued prosecutions
practlced towards them. It Is from gentle
man who Is Republican In politics, and not
q native of South Carolina, but OF Maryland,
who. being Unionist during the war, has
since made his home in South Carolina"
COLUMBIA. s. c., May 81, 1872.
William L. So,nhard, Esq.
DEAR SIR-Your letter Of the 18th instant
reached me several days ago and would nave
received IN earlier attention but for pressing
official engagements. am glad to nave an
opportunity to give my Views briefly on the
several subjects mentioned In your letter.
And first, as to the climate here. 1t Is mild
and salubrious. do not think 1t surpassed IN
these respects anywhere en- this & continent; Itln !;
while speaking Of climate and mineral waters,
saws: sslt will be gratifying to the Soutnern
community to know that we have IN the States
of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia
as fde climate, perhaps, as can De lounu ~
The world, and mineral waters Wnlcn VIII com-
pare fayorably with those OF the highest ceie,
brity." Diseases, generally, are OF mucn
mIlder form than they are In the more northern
latitudes, and many diseases that are very
nreyalent and very fatal In the North are
almost entirely unknown here. am certain
that neither consumption, pneumonia, pieurlsy
nor any OF the many forms OF catarrn, nor
rheumatic and neuralgia affections, are any
thing like as prevalent or as severe mere as
they are in colder climates, and, OF course, iar
Az to the effect of the climate of this locality
upon Northern people who settle here, can
best answer that question by stating tnat tnere
are about fifty Northern families living IN Co.
lumbia who have settled here since the close
Of the late war, and am sure am safe In
saving there has not been over hall dozen
deaths In these families since their residence
here. Nay, there Is less sickness IN Northern
families residing here than there ls IN the
families of the natives. Whether this ID De-
cause Northern people bring with tnem
healthier systems and more vigorous cGns1Isu- @ nn
tious than the old residents possess, mus ep-
ablInp them the better to resist disease, OF
whether there is something in the habits OF
the Northman that gives him an advantage IN
this respect over the Southron "to the manor
boru," I am not prepared to say; tne Iact,
however, Is none the less true, Whatever may
be the explanation of II. My experience and
observation, therefore, teach me to conclude
that the climate of this region is fully as
friendly to the stranger as ills to the native.
Now. as to the personal safety OF Northern
men who settle here. This Is q subject em
bracing such wide field of circumstances
that might dilate upon It almost to endless
or already 666Q aalQ IN
this connection In the newspapers, pro anu
con, by politicians, for political effect, that the
neople hate learned to look with suspicion
npon everything that is said upon this sub
iect. and to tsk1 the honest views OF unpre]u-
diced minds as mere political clap-trap, thaC
forbear to say more than thal l nave S nvea
hera nearly six years, have mingled as mucn,
perhaps more, with the people than any other
Northern man here; have met with gentlemen
from every part OF the State, most OF Wnom
were most earnest in their support OF the Con-
federate cause, having sacrificed their enilre
fortunes upon the altar Of their political faltn,
and have not heard single expression,
with one or two exceptions, that might be
construed iuto opposition to honest, respecla-
BILE Northern men settling here. l nave Lrleo
to be an impartial observer, and from al tne
data that have been able to collect, my logic
forces me to the conclusion that an nonest
man. be he Jew or Gentle, come from Where
"a nav. and whatever be his creed, who tries
1o make an honest living In decent way
through any of the mullitudinous legitimate
avenues OF business, is just as safe mere from
personal violence as he would be IN Massacnu-
aetts or New York.
know that there have been many outrages
and acts of violence committed here OF lste,
hut these difficulties are purely political. Tne
people Of the South have not been able 70 re-
eoneIle themselves to the new order OF things
here. They cannot believe that It is right anu
lust and most promotlve Of the pubic gooa
that the Ignorant, illlterate and the corrupC
should make and administer tne laws, wins
the Intelligent and educated pay the taxes
bsar all the expenses of the State, without
having sny voice In the administration OF its
affairs. And is 1t surprising that they Should
feel some unkindness toward those VINO tnus
deprive them Of mans dearest privileges
"Loye your enemies, bless them that curse
you. do good to them that hate you, and nray
cute you,n Is beautiful enough IN theory, out
hard to practice. "Do unto others as you
Would that others should do unto you Is. IN
nv opinion, much better advice, and, II foi'
lowed By those who aspire to mould ana di-
rect public sentiment, there would De less
strife between nelghbors, and more content
ment and happiness among the masses, De-
cause more peaceful and more prosperous.
In view of all the circumstances, the deVast-
alton of their country, the destruction OF tnelr
homes by the iron heel Of the war, the loss OF
property, their descent from wealth and ease
to poverty and hardships, defeat In battle,
eclipse of their long cherished and fondest
hopes, their own degradation and the elevation
TO places of power and preferment OF their
former slaves, whom they were taught 10
regard as only fit for "hewers OF wood aad
drawers OF water" the abrldgement or deprlva
ton Of their political privileges, ! think the
Southern people have behaved with GOOD
deal OF torbearance. Though some poEtlcal
outrages have been committed, what people
under the sun, subjected to the same Provocao.
tions, would not have done as much and more
Reverse tho results of the war, andimpose upon
the people of the North the same onerons and,
to them, odious burdens that the people here
have had to endure; in WORD, suppose re trans
ter the whole set Of clrcu INSTANCES undef WHICH
the Southern community has lived since tue
war, and Is still living, to the loyal, laW-abld-
ing North, and think yor that all would pc
borne meekly and tamely, without any eXnl-
bition Of feeling-no parmur against oppres.
siye and unequal government, no breach ol
The public peace Would the Northern peo-
pie seTvileiy stoop and kiss the rod that smote
them? Not II know them properly. And l
ten you that human nature Is the same IN
South Carolina that 1t is In other parts OF the
world. You may say that the Southern peo'
ple afe themselves responsible for theit ils-
fortunes. Be 1t 30. Does that make them any
the less misfortunes, or soften In the least the
-miseries they entail II you cast a stone