New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-01-16
Thoughts for the South.

The political conflict of the past decade
has been settled again and again by the
country, and nothing is surer than that the
country will reiteratc its settlement as often
as there shall even seem TO be a party clial-
longing il. IL was the profound conscious
ness OF this fact that led the Democracy TO
lay aside its standard and do battle under
Horace Greeley. The last national verdict
was the strongest conceivable one against
Democracy. because il was rendered over
whelmingly against Democracy, even in its
cloak of ey-Rcpublicanism The iudg-
ment against the Democratic party is final
ity. This nation will repeal the Declaration
of Independence as soon as it will repeal any
one of the later amendments TO the Constitu-
ton, or relinquish its determination to en-
force them, If necessary. by the laws OF
Congress AMI the whole power Of the Gov
eminent.
This is the statement of a simple fact
The part of wise men is to recognize and
adapt themselves to facts. The grand estab-
lishcd facts in human affairs are divine insti-
tutions. One of them is government. Another
OF them is law in its severe equity to all
regardless of color or previous condition OF
seryitude.' 1t is the fact which has become
immovably rooted in the foundations of the
republic, and can never be uptorn but in the
hISSpiutioh vi tbc ItpuDliC All Tic III
ilucnccs of civilization. the theory and teach
ings OF Christianity, the principles of juris-
prudence, the philosophy, poetry, and aspir-
ations of the age, the public sentiment OF
every enlightened land. and the military and
political decisions of this people. have fixed
and rivetcd and clamped the finality of equal
civil and political rights for the white man
and the Colored man. Only one Of two things
remains 1t remains for the whites, who con-
aiitu,c in numbers about half the population
while the cOlored men compose the other halt
in certain States, and who form but one large
portion, while the colorcd people form another
large portion in every Southern State, to &C.
ccpt the fact and make the best of it or to
continue disastrous contest against the in
cvilablc. Republicans everywhere look with
regret upon any indications of the latter
course, but the conduct of the Southern peO-
pie in the case concerns mainly themselves
The national decision is incXOrably taken.
\ cordial and rational policy in consonancc
Herewith will fill the Southern section with
a prosperity never before known to it. That
policy should be simply to take the colorcd
man by the hand, in fullest acknowledgment
OF his new estate, and to seek to fit him for
his privileges, without in the least proposing
TO abIidge them.
In saving this, we would not be understood
to say that there is not among Southerners
an extensive disposition to do thus. But it
will lie scarcely denied, and it is only to be
expected, that there is also a contrary dispO-
sition, and what-in all courtesy and friend
liness-we would point out is that the sole
solution Of the race problem in that section
lies in misunderstanding the contrary dispo-
Stion. and make the former one prevalent.
Old IDEAS and associations and the Demo-
cratic politicians staple teachings dissuade
from this course. The Democratic press,
North and South, by its steady and violent
warfare upon the enforcement policy, dis.
suadcs from this course. But these old ideas
and associations, however worthy of consid.
Grafton because they are such, and especially
these incufcatiOns of Democratic politicians
and journals, are the enemies of Southern
peace and prosperity. They are the curse of
the South. Their cOunsels can never alter
the resolution of the popularmasses, and can
only array Southern men and communities in
vain and helpless contest against that oft.
resolved resolution, which will still reent
lessly confront them in the United States
laws, the United States courts, the United
States Executive, and the United States bay.
onets. The naked fact is, however unwcl
come, that the sentiment Of justice to which
the loud politicians Of the South propose tC
continue their appeals is in truth the sense OF
justice, and as such can never be made tc
forget, or to cease to defend, the equal civil
and political rights of the freedmen
Louis Globe