The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-19
AusTEDT
TUE FEELTNG IN THE SOUTH.

There has been a marked improvement IN
the feelings Of the Southern towards the
Northern people within the last year. And
It is matter Of no little importance. Il
signifies great deal. It is equivalent to
saying that ct last the truth is being dis
covered by the North that error and revenge
are receding there, that the great heart OF
the people is getting to beat in unison with
the true interests Of the country, intelligent
patriotism, infexible justice, and unyield-
ing devotion to duty. We do not mean
that such principles are now the rule Of ac-
ton. but that there is q healthy tendency in
this direction, which is a good indication Of
a return to fraternal feelings. The North
ern people now admit that they have been
grossly deceived; that combinations, for
plundenng the South under the guise Of
legislation, have been successful heretofore
in incorporating the aims, ends and feel
ings of the Southern people; that the most
astounding frauds and robberies have been
in this way accomplished, while the better
portion Of the citizens were unable to help
themselves. A prominent Republican who
went to South Carolina stated, on his return
North, that the Offices in that State were
filed by the same class Of men who were
sent to the prisons and penitentiaries Of his
section. Henry Ward Beecher, who has
very great influence at home, advocates the
sending Of prominent and influential men
to the. South for the express purpose OF
gathering up all the facts that they may be
placed before his section in order that the
real situation may be fully understood and
believed.
The North. having lost heavily by the IL
legal issue Of certain bonds, which are
worthless and can never be collected, is in
condition to examine the facts impartially.
The action of Congress- or rather the de-
bates, have placed very large amount OF
evidence before the country in relation to
the manner in which the reconstructed
States have been governed. And, just in
proportion to the. interest taken and a dis
position shown TO deal fairly with those
States, in the same ratio the public mind
rises to correct appreciation of the neces-
sity Of action in furtherance Of inquiry into
abuses and the removal OF the actors in the
deeds Of infamy. BY such course, the
South feels that there are still men in the
North who have proper regard for all sec
tions, and will stand by the right at all
hazards.
IFo. ,,aors s,,cb ,pos not the case. and II is
not to be wondered at that there was no break
in the feelings of i'll viii which appeared to
crystalize around the two sections. But
''the winter Of our discomfort " is passing
away, and with it fraternal feelings begin to
return. 1t is not surprising that such q
condition existed for so long time. His.
tory repeats itself. Long years have been
necessary to unite and cement together, in q
common brotherhood, two people who had
opposed each other in the deadly breech
and on the bloody field. Just the othel
day, upon the burning sands of Africa, the
English troops and the Scotch Highlander:
stood in battle array, shoulder to shoulder,
and fell side by side in the struggle Of
death. But England and Scotland, OF
more than one occasion, met in the shock o.
battle, and warred against each other fol
many long years with the bitterest hatred
and the most determined efforts, the one t
overpower, the other to be free. Now a
one people, with one aim, they move on II
the great drama of the nations of the earth