New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-05
Reconciliation.
PAPER |.

you alludc, have determined to submit fc W
suggestions upon this important inquiry.
Questions touching the relations of the
two classes of citizens in these States are
fraught with momentous consequences to the
well-being and prosperity Of the whole
| country. For the interests involved are
greater than that Of any individual, greater
than that of any class, greater than that of
any political party; they lie at the founda-
ton of our social system. Hence, when We
come to look into these relations, patriotism
passion, Of prejudice, and every remnant of
partisan feeling. 1t is in this spirit that
shall attempt to point out the means by
which unity of feeling and unity Of purpose
may be secured between all classes of our
citizens.
1t seems to me that the basis of this unity
OF feeling between the two classes is to be
found in a proper appreciation of the changed
relations of our people. think 1t may be
truly said that the intense excitement and
bitter feelings cngendcred by our social revo-
luton rendered both classes incapable of
comprchending their true relations to each
other, and thus each, to some extent, has
mistaken the other. But the great obstacle,
as L conceive it, in the way of harmony
among our people is an unwillingncss on the
part of a large portion Of the white people
to concede the full results flowing from the
changes in our social order, and manifest
desire to retain as much as possible Of the
old state Of things. Theys seem to entertain
vague hope that somehow the present con-
dition of things will be overturned, and seem
determined to accept as little as possible.
Now, this Is not only injurious to society,
but is based upon false hypothesis. RevO-
lutions, though sometimes slow and some
times sudden, are always complete. Emilio
CASTELAR,, the most eloquent and one of the
Of social changes, says: "Great historical
events determine the life of an epoch and
are like the germ of wide series Of social
revolutions. Where has caste once destroyed
reappeared: What restoration has been
Identical with the social form it intended to
renew: And what reactionary revolution
has not precipitated the triumphs of the
IDEAS which it proposed to extinguish?'
Here the principle is clearly stated that any
attempt to retard the progress of those re-
suits, which necessarily flow from rcvolu-
ton, will serve only to increase the volume
of their velocity. And is not this the mis-.
take that the Southern people q mean the
white pcople) have made all along? Have
not all attempts at reaction for the last seven
years precipitated the triumph Of ideas, the
have been better for society? If this be
true, and l think the history of the times
proves it, what is sound policy now? Clear
ly, that all of our citizens should accept
cheerfully the present status Of things. Re-
cognize the colored man as he Is, not as what
they think he ought to be. Recognize him as
a citizen, entitled to all the rights and privi-
leges of a citizen, as well as recognition for
his past devotion and services. This being
done, we shall have laid broad and deep the
basis of that peace and harmony for which we
all so sincerely long. Another thing that
will tend toward allaying strife and cOnteH-
ton, and producing harmony and good will,
is the proper adjustment Of the relations of
capital and labor. That is to say, that the
relations between capital and labor must be
recognized and readjusted to meet the re-
quirements of free labor, and that our people
must bring themselves up to clear apprecia-
ton Of the new relations. Says writer in a
late number Of the Edinburgh Rerieac "The
great problem Of the South, however, is not
the development Of its mineral wealth, but
the reorganization of its system Of agricul-
tural labor" He then goes on to discuss
the difficulties in the way of the South adapt
ing herself to the requirements of free labor.
Under the most favorable circumstances, the
question of free labor presents difficulties that
puzzle the brain of the most astute states
man, but here in the South these difficulties
are magnified by reason of the former rela-
tons Of the employer and employee. The
minds of the Southern people, with the men,
DRY of their former system Of labor still fresh,
and the introduction Of free labor not of their
choice, lAt against their earnest protest, are
i'll prepaI. | to meet its requirements, With
q sincere ilistrust of its adaptability to their
soil, they arc led to resort to all manner of eX-
peG.nts to avert the disastrous consequences
Of what they deem uncertain and unrelia-
bic labor. Yet free labor in these States
must be maintained and utilized, and the la
borer must be rendered secure and contented.
There must be n just reciprocity between the
land owner and the laborer. Otherwise, we
shall have chickering's, contentious, and strife,
where we should have peace and harmony !;
otherwise, we shall have one class in
Weighing against the interests OF the other.
This question Of labor imports serious con-
sequences to society. Perhaps it is not
too much to say that all the internal dis
cords iomentcd in European countries grow
out of this question. The South will be
wise if she takes time by the forelock,
and settles this question upon sound princl-
pies. Mr.. Mill, in his Essay upon Govern
ment, says "The greatest possible happi-
ness to society is attained by insuring to
every man the greatest possible quantity OF
the produce of his labor" 1t is not improb-
able that by taking the principles here enun-
ciated as the basis Of our labor system, the
Southern people may be spared those ca
lamties that have befallen. other countries,
and unite all her people IN the stronges!
bonds of concord and peace.
Next in Importance is a free and untram-
meled ballot. Here, in the discussion OF
this question, we enter, the political arena
| Still, we need not enter it as partisans, since
the purity and freedom of the ballot are of vita
concern to every citizen. For free ballot is
| the safeguard of our liberties, and where
| there is no free ballot there can be no liberty
| for any one. The superior power may indeed
triumph over the weak, but this is not lib
ertv: indeed, it is the farthest removed from
Thirty. That there have been disposition
and attempts to deprive the newly enfran
ch:snd Of the ballot in some parts of the SOutl
AMI in some sections Of our State will not BIZ
denied. 1t is possible that this did not pro
coed go mach from any innate lawlessness Of
hatred /, the colored man rs from a sincer
conviction that he had no right to the ballot
and that his use of it would be detrimental
to the good of society. Yet thinking mel
must see how disastrous will be the result
of such attempts to Southern society, eve1
not taking into view external influences
And here I would not be understood as al
leging any charge; am only stating an ev