New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-26

, emolument and usefulness in life. 1t is tn
Tor which we struggle; it is this for whiC
we plead. Nor are we alono in this struc
gle. II is tho same throughout the civilize
world. Says Prof. Huxley, in his lecture o
! Government: "What gives force to the sc
cialistic movement which is now stirrin
European society to its depths is the dete,
mination on the part Of naturally able me
among the pro!etGfe to put an end somehoy
or other to the misery and degradation il
which large proportion of their fellows ar
stepped" L. is this same infiexible purpose
that has driven the colored man into seemin!
antagonism to his white neighbor. Nav
more, it is the same spirit that animates tn,
laboring classes all over this country. I
may manifest itself in different forms, bu
the spirit is the same. They are determined
to ameliorate their condition, and to elevate
man to higher plane. To resist this ad
vance of humanity would be folly. If you
enact laws as barriers against it, it will break
| through them; if you draw State lines against
it, it will obliteratc them; nay, if society be
arrayed against it, it will destroy society it.
self. Upon this point the South has taken
terrible lessons in the bitter school of expe-
rience. She resisted a wave of human pro-
gress, and strove to stem the OVERLOOKING
tide with heroism and a valor unsurpassed
by any people. But it resulted in the de-
struction OF her social system, and the shock
of her social upheaval was felt throughout
the civilized world. 1t is incumbent upon
those in the South who are devoted to local
self-government, and who desire permanent
peace among all our people, to endeayor to
put these States in the van Of human pro-
gress. And this can only be done by secur-
ing to every citizen the full enjoyment OF
every right to which the law entities him.
Another thing that will tend nightly to-
ward harmony among our people is q free and
full interchange of views between the two
classes upon all matters of public concern.
This may seem to our white fellow-citizens
like asking a great deal, and L fully appre-
ciate their feelings Of pride in the matter.
That men composing class of citizens who
have always had the exclusive direction of
public affairs should prefer not to consult
class OF citizens whose experience in political
affairs has been of short duration, and whose
knowledge Of such matters must necessarily
be limited, is perfectly natural. That they
should regard such a step as compromise of
their former position is equally natural But
it is often necessary to make compromises in
public matters, and to make concessions for
the public good is one Of the noblest acts of
patriotism. Mr.. Clay once said that our
Government was Government of compro-
misses. He might have added that every So
cial system was founded upon concessions
and compromises. L apprehend that many
of our differences have resulted from a fail
ure to recognize this great truth.
1t is useless to argue that all deliberations
upon such matters should be left to that class
of citizens which has had most experience in
such things. For there is principle i'm
planted in the human soul that teaches every
man he is the safest custodian of his own
rights, and this same principle makes him
feel that he should be consulted and should
have the privilege of giving his views upon
any line of public policy in which he is ex-
pected to cooperate. Speaking upon this
point, Macauley says: ''Thero is only one
cure for tho evils which newly acquired free
dom produces-and that cure is freedom,
When q prisoner leaves his cell he cannot
bear the light Of day he is unable to dis
colors or recognize faces. But the
remedy is not to remand him into his dun
geon, but to accustom him to the rays of the
sun. The blaze of truth and liberty may at
first dazzle and bcwilder nations which have
become half blind in the house of bondage.
But let them gaze on, and they will soon be
able to bear it. Ifmen are to wait
for liberty until they become wise and good
Are not these incontestible truths, and do
they not apply in our case? For of what
avail would it be for ono class of citizens to
deliberate and determine upon a line of pol
icy, be it ever so wise and just, unless the
other class can be brought to see its wisdom
and justice, ifindeed their cooperation is de-
sired? Indeed, has not this been the great
cause of separation between the two classes
heretofore? Each class deliberated among
themselves and each regarded the other with
suspicion and distrust. This has been our
bane. l am not certain that can point out
the best way to bring about this interchange
of views, but 1 am certain that it must be
done if we desire to have all our people la
boring for the interests Of the country. The
people of the South are entering upon new
era in public affairs, and if we shall wisely
secure peace and harmony upon the public
questions of the day, we shall realize for our
section all that her proudest sons could wish
but if this division and strife should con-
tinue, we have only to expect disaster and
And why should we play the
Roman fool, and die upon our own weapons
Rather let us lay aside prejudice, pride, and
passion, sacrifice them upon the altar of our
good, and soon the South, relieved
of her embarrassments, will DO marching in
the van of civilization to that highest of all
national ends-the amelioration Of man.
JOHN L. QUARLEs.