The Van Buren press., 1873-09-16
The South.

OF the conf CT which terminated eight
years ago, and the vast political, social
and financial changes which that conflict
wrought among those who adhered to
the losing side. it must be admitted that
the Southern people, as mass, have dis
played qualities since the war which even
their warmest friends did not believe they
possessed, and which entitle them to the
respect aud admiration OF the world 1t
is comparatively easy to be hero when
stimulated by excitement and danger,
and encouraged by tive prospect ~ tlnai
victory; but il 10 exceedingly hard to die.
card prejudice aud passion. and follow
the dull path of reason and common.
sense when excitement and danger have
given way to humiliation aud discourage
ment, and the light of victory has been
quenched forever in the dark waters Of
defeat. As the American rebellion eur
passed all others IN magnitude, so it sur
passed all others in tho consequences
which 1t cntailed upon the vanquishcd
party The South was not merely beaten.
but at FIRST sight she seemed to he utterly
destroyed. Her pride had been fearly
BUNDLED; her prospects blasted; many
OF her bravest and beat children lay
wrapped in bloody shrouds; the emanci-
patton of her slaves had completely ovcr-
turned the industrial system and inyro-
dnced new and embarrassing feature
into politics; and to complete and con-
firm the colossal ruin. the pressure OF
public and private debt threatened uni.
versal bankruptcy Had the South been
what tue North claimed she was, the
spoiled child of prosperity and slave la
Dor, and incapable OF tax ng care herself,
much less of making head against great
disas.cr--she would have sat down in
sackclot'i and ashes, and fallen victim
TO that indifference and inactivity which
are the natural fruits ofhopelcss despair.
But, being made Of sterner and nobler
stuff, she vested no time IN vain regrets
and useless lamentations. but went reso-
lutcly to work in the right direction. Tho
past was teyond her reach, but the pres.
ent might be SO wisely improved that tho
future would bring harvest OF blessings.
In spite OF opposing influences from
without and from within; in spita Of the
folly Of injudicious friends,
and the unscrupnlous tyranny OF impla.
cable enemies in spite Of the innumsrabIe
drawbacks which always follow In the
wake of misfortune and poverty, the
South has slowly aud steadily risen from
ae ,ss SssisDa sa ulo now sns loesIng back from
not set recovered. hut ultimate recovery
is certain; heavy yoke still gals her
mock, but she shas learned the lesson al
that sublime patience and unconqu"rabIe
before which the heaviest aud the
harsbest yoke must finally bend and
break.
What is the key note Of that policy
which has accomplished so much already,
and Is destined TO accomplish more here
after! Three words express it--deccpf
The situation. The leaders OF the South
orn opinion, with few Insignificant cx-
csptions, have adopted this motto; and
the Southern people, as a whole, have
sanctioned IL Accepting Tie situation
does not imply a confession Of wrong on
the part Of tho South, or an acknowledg-
mcnt that the principles and practice OF
the North have been. or are, right. 1t IL
simply quiet recognition Of stubborn
facts; manly acquiescence III the mex
orab.e determination to improve every
favoring circumstance Beauregard, Wise,
Moshy, and many more whom we might
name, are unquestionab!y as intensely
Southera ia their ideas and sympathics ~
when they led Southern soldiers to hat
tie. They are not repentant sinners beg
ging forgiveness at the feet OF federal
power they are sensible, patriotic men,.
who, because they love the South, are
ready to make any sacrifice which prom
iscs for the South regeneration and re-
establishment. They see the ineffablc
stupidity and madness Of endeavoring 70
revive what IL thrice dead and puckei
up the roots. and they comprehend tho
imperative necessity Of abandoning oil
hereditary theories which stand in the
way OF substantial good Hence, instead
OF spending their breath in apothcssizing
"ihe lost cause" and predicting its ulti-
mate triumph; instead OF venting their
spleen in dcnouncing reconstruction and
abusing the negroes; instead Of doing
and saving everything to make bad mat.
ters worse, they advise harmony and con.
ciliation, the putting OF, Of sight Of old
and exploded issues for the sake OF new
and vital ones. Beanregart showed HIM
self not only patriot but statesman
when he expressed, not merely willing
ness. but strorg desire to unite with
the blacks OF Lonisianauin Kidding the
State Of carpet. bag rule Wise and
Mosby have raised themselves in the cs-
tima,ion Of parties by mani'cs,ing q
disposition TO join with the ndministra-
ton in all measures which seem likely to
advance the peace and prosperity ofthcir
section.
We are glad to believe that, notwith-
standing the persistent efforts OF some
fools and many knaves, genuine con.
servotism is growing in the South and
will speedily dominate over malice do
mestic and foreign levy;" over the strife
OF faction and the blunders of Bourbon.
ism. Among true and honest Southern
ers party spirit should be dead and party
lines obiteruted, whenever and wherever
they interfere with that union of hearts
and hands by which alsne the Sonth can
be redeemed and dssenthra!!cd - sasas
Louis Hspabiicdn.
rV A women ut Ironton, Ohio, said
10 her husband: IF you get drunk to
H., ko,at stav'll hr;nv vt,u homo