The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-04-09
Reconciliation between the Sections
Hon. ". D. Porter's Address

The Charleston News Of Saturda,
contains ap admirable address, o
tho Honorable W. D. Porter, dcliy
cred on the previous Wcdnesda,
evening, at a reception rendered b.
Col. Richard Lathers, Of the city, t.
the Hon. Wm. C. Bryant and Hon
lloratio Seymour, Of New York, ant
which, giving expression to nool'
thoughts, in elegant and appropriate
divtiou, is chiefly noteworthy in as
signing the truo causes Of the es'
arrangement which moro or less exists
between the North and tho South
and hence in furnishing the most
proper remedy for the evil. The true
cause Of the estrangemeut is mutua
misunderstanding, and the true rem
edy is a better understanding Of each
other. On the payt Of the North it
is misconception Of our past and OF
our present rand, indeed, the last
grows opt Of the first. Before the
North can do Justice to the present
attitude,of the South, sho must appre'
ciate her past, and do justice to the
motives which prompted and sus'
tanned ber il tho great struggle. The
South does not ask, and has pever
asked, the North to pass judgment
upon the right or wrong of secession
Upon that question, we suppose that
mon will differ as long as VARYING cir
cumstances lead different minds to
opposite , conclusions. But We have
asked, as we think we have a right to
ask, that justice be done to the depth
and sincerity Of our convictions, which
prccipitated US into the late war, and
which sustsined Us through disaster
and defeat until its bloody close
Urti! this is done, thcro will be the
want of that mutual esteem and re
gard WHICH form the only basis o1
.truo and lasting friendship.
And what more can be demanded
of US than the past already furnishes,
to prove. our sincerity? Those only
who were brought face to face with
each other in the great struggle, and
who met each other in the carnage OF
tho battle field or in the prvations OF
the camp, can fully realize and appre,
ciato the heroisw and solt.sacrifice
which furnish the best evidence OF
sincerity. = It was in privation and
peril that tho contending armies learnt
to respevt each other, and hence it
was among soldiers and in the camp
that, the germs Of peace and reconcil-
iation found their most congenial
soil. Had the work Of reconstruction
been left TO the soldiers, and not to
the politicians who snuffed the battle
fom afar, The ugly wounds of section
al hate would have been long since
healed, and peace and amity restored.
THAT estrangement exists, arises then
from misunderstanding of our past,
and inability to do justice to the
depth. of our mutual convictions.
The first step to reconciliation is in
mutual respect. The Northern man
who is disposed to do justice to our
past record, can have no difficulty in
approaching tie present position OF
the South. AS he believes US sincere
in assuming arms. he. will regard us
as equally sincere in tho assurance
that we have laid them aside forever.
Our sincerity in the past is a pledge
of our sincerity in the present. and Il
due recognition Of this Iact can only
give lasting peace and reconciliation.
Mutual respect must groW out Of
frequent greetings and moro extend:
ei intercourse, and when we know
each we will resepct and love each
other the more. The distinguished
and eloquent speaker we'll said:
These, friendly visits will bring us
all to a better understanding. There
was an Gun pleasantncss" once; that
is over but there is q misunderstand-
ing still. l do not mean to say the
f,Ilt is all on one side, nor do ] mean
to deal with any question Of contro-
yortod politics. But | cannot help
thinkiug that the people Of b: No'tA
have not appreciated the honesty
depth and universally Of the senti-
meut that undcrlay the great seces-
sion movement Of the South. 1t was
not only an honest sentiment, but q
deep, sincere and pervading conyic-
ton connected with consideration of
public safety. The cause or ground
Of that conviction is now removed.
Whether it was then right Or wrong,
we'll. founded or il!-founded, is not
now the question. ! am dealing only
with the fact Of its existence and
tho universally Of the sentipcnt or
conviction is the best proof OF lts
1. La, La ut