The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-23

IT Is true that the Northern people have
been in great degree separated from the
South by the government policy of distrust
and persecution Of the Southern people,
Dispatch.
The Dispatch must agree with us that
this is but moiety of the truth as it should
be told. Admitting, for the sake of what
we wish to say, that the policy of the gov
eminent has been what our contemporary
represents, how is the account of "distrust
and persecution" balanced by the South
ern side of the political and social sheet?
In this State, where comparatively
fair policy has been pursued towards
the recently enfranchised citizen, the
Dispatch will agree that the ac-
ton of the government has been far
from 'distrust and persecution" No
thing of the sort has transpired here, since
the State resumed its proper functions as
an integral and constituent part of the
federal Union. 1t is only in those locali-
ties where the white populations chafed
themselves into Ku-Klux gangs under the
new order of things, and set the Federal
laws at defiance in the protection they ac-
corded to the colored people, that the
strong arm of the government has been
felt in the 'distrust and persecution" Of
which our contemporary speaks.
But has there been no Southern policy
Of distrust and persecution to balance this
alleged action Of the Federal government
Our neighbor may complain, and not I'M
frequently does so, that carpet-baggers are
| in possession Of most Of the Federal
offices in the South. This is all true; bat
BY aohoSe .fauN? Has not the Administra-
ton repeatedly sought to remedy this
cause Of Grievance, by appointing such
Southern men--eyen to those holding the
highest commands in the Confederate
army-as were competent, trustworthy,
and acilliag to accept the positions rendered
them ? Come, let candor and fairness an
swer this question, and let snarling and
asperity cease, if what we write is true.
What has more completely separated the
Northern people from the South, since the
close of the war, than any one thing, is the
distrust and social ostracism the mos
effective sort of persecution which every
where greets them on their coming here
and not any policy on the part of the Adj
ministration. We speak Understandings
on this subject, and can confidently chal
lenge contradiction from the columns o
our contemporary. We will modify gu
assertion this much, however, that little
if any, of this distrust and social ostracisi
manifests itself in the conduct of the me
who fearlessly accepted the issue!
of the late conflict, and resolutely re
sisted the Federal power till all hop
of success ceased. These men 1--WE pu
posely emphasize the term) with scarcel
an exception, extend q cordial, and +
l doubt genuinely-fet regard and persons
, welcome, to all Northern gentlemen con
: ing here to identify themselves with the ii
l terests and welfare of Virginia. But tn
t "distrust and persecution" strikes deep
into the social system, and touches tn
sensitive chord in the breast of ones ma
hood which responds to the slightest ind
!, nifty as constituting the highest insult.
: slight in the social circle is equivalent to
j. brand in the public forehead and this evel
5 man, sensitive alike to his own honor al
1 the courtesy due to his wife or daughte
! feels as burning wedge of division driv,
/ between himself and the social circle of Il
n South. Does not the chief fault lie here