The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-06-04
sIGNTRIcAnT BACrs-Is THERE
UNION BETWEEN THE SECTIONS.

~ ~ now Hlhc years SthCc hStifc HOstiiA-
ties ceased. Much has been said and writ
ten about the actual condition Of Affairs
and the feeling existing in the North and
South. food men who desired the kindest
fraternal feelings TO reunite the sections
have Iabored uncessautly for the consumma-
ton Of their desires. There have been oc-
casionalIy developments which caused the
belief that the bitterness engendered by the
war was passing away, and that soon the
conflict and awful deeds which were perpe-
trated during its existence would be only
thought Of as things Of the past; that they
would no longer roll before us with their
bloody and fmcrcai drapcry. But it now
seems that this was a mistake-that still
there are causes which prevent the people
OF the two sections from coming together as
brethren having common interest and
common destiny. We are no alarmists, but
desire always to present facts as the foun-
dation Of our conclusions. It ID not our de-
sire to keep up the strife and hot blood be
tween the ections-for, although we are Of
the South, Southern in feeling and interest,
and DESTROYS that eyen-handed justice may
be meted out to our enemies, still, as q mat
ter Of policy as well as of duty, we believe
that every good citizen should endeavor to
remove the-bae blood which still exists,
We know that It il difficult to DO this, il we
suffer our minds to scan the events Of the
war. But that is past and tho problem Of
our future weII-being and status in the gov
ernment should be looked to. Be this as it
may, it is evident that unifcation
does not prosper, and that there
are very serious difficulties which
intervene and keep open the wounds which
might have been healed by common-sense
treatment Not only the course of the party
in power but sectarian feelings have had
much 70 do with the question. Had the
Radical party used the opportunities wisely
which they had under their control imme-
diately after the war and for years stree, the
effects upon the churches would have been
very potent, and the influence which they
would have exercised over the minds and
inclinations of the people generally would
have been most salutary But that party
drunk with success and believing that they
had a prescriptive right to the government
Of the country, aud that the results of the
war had 10 completely destroyed the power
Of the South that twas not necessary to pay
attention to the rights or wants of this
scction-ignored the future, reveled in
the .spoils of place aud randered to sec
: tionaI prejudice and hate Appeals were
8 made to them in vain. The South was
treated as subjugated province. The
divisions in the churches we're, therefore,
not healed and to-day tho trees Of their
planting are bearing the unhappy fruits of
iach. a policy. sf
The general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, which was held
Ia Louisville, Kentucky, recently, adjourned
the other day WITHOUT being able to agree
upon terms Of reconciliation hetween the
two branches Of. the Methodist Episcopal
Church North aud South It win be re
membered that previous to the war a diyi-
.sion took place in this denomination,
and tina. that separation hiil much to
% 81 haslening tho secession Of the
southern States. There was also
separation between the churches Of the
Daptist dissemination, which was also
vtgy powerful "a driving the people Of
tho South 10 the conclusion that there
could not be union between the sections
longer. So, also. with the Presbyterian
AID other denominations. But since the
war, It was believed that Christian love and
regard for each.ather would soon heal the
sohisni and reauise the churches The ut
ter failure. therefore, Of the two branches
8 The Meihedist, Church to agree upon
s some terms by winch the old f,ud could be
4 buriod end brolherly love and good feeling
restore the unity Of the chureii, has caused
surprise and profound thought. Can it be,
ro,sibla that after all there IS 70 be no re-
,union ofltho sectionsf Can IL be possible
lRsi tl6 alienation which preceded the war
ana continued during the conflict has only
erysialzed about he hearts OF the people,
ava that hencsforsh va are 10 .lie two peoples
a feeling, thought lncliuatioh and inter
est i seems to be the only le climate con
clnzion. i the ohalches cannot agree, II
nsnhos q he same dissemination cannot
D foFsot tbe past and co-epeFato Fof and in the
tl6so 81 Chslafiapisy, how can The expected
that men Who do mol subscribe to fhe doc
1ines oi thocpseoiks and lowly Nazarene
VII succeed betttf The sAnie differences
continue between the two branches in each
81 tie other denominations. Rfforls have
bta haadS for reconciliation ip each, we be-
LEM. with about the same results. Now
ihe,o are significant facts; and present IN q
1i.1tli1r light TIE depth % tie chasn BE-
ls6on lAo North and South. Il seems that
tlsss ). - peace. no real cordially 81 ioel-
,nd unity Of purpose no confidence
AID desire Is burg the dead past 0ut q
ghk Il IS theEeloEe tine that the
hea 81 thought and porpos e should see
iouly % work u order p Eeuovs The
vail q parii,ion which lo.day exists
between ne seclioaa And "a urder % do
a.. iAtie must b eanai almiisloh a
lle dl1nn ana their ctsses. In the
t plaza. ne North l6ust rcslofs tne peo-
=, ofihe South to shsirazis aillsn sighss a.
nenllE IS possible. wiihthe exlserlion 81 the
he1 Slaves G1s6 must - mi
ann The stat must b lef,
ne b Nork cut their own dlatiny, sQliccl
c,g 6 t1s nnilalions q lhe Consiitulion.
xr r 5. Alpt b 30 pa. q
ebfefEmaat % lprce toeaspfe'
- sa Ths on sipa q peb'i.