The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-07-02
TIE sOUTHERN SITUATION.

''The situation Of the people of the South
ern States deserves the serious considera-
ten of the leading minds of the whole coun-
try. Their condition is anomalous in the
worlds history. Before the war the inhabi-
tants were divided into three classes;
'sFirst. The highly-educated, wealthy,
and refined whites, of aristocratic preten-
sions, claiming social eminence on account
of a long and distinguished ancestral IL
neage, and such others as, on account of
either culture, native talents, or other at
tractive qualities, had gained admittance to
the foregoing circles. From this class was
selected local and State officials, Senators
aud Representatives in Congress, and other
dignitaries connected with the National
government.
Second The mass of the whites, who
were generally poor and unlettered, but pos
sessing enough pride of race to be eaisly led
in political affairs by their more fortunate
neigbbors.
'sThird. The millions of colored slaves,
who were totally destitute of political and
civil rights, and were controlled by their
owners as completely as if they had been
domestic beasts, with the exception that
nominally it was murder to put them to
death at the caprice Of the master. These
slaves performed the bulk of the labor of
the South.
''From. this brief statement it will be
readily perceived that comparatively a few
families governed the Southern States, and
by harmony of action, occasioned by har-
mony of interests, also controlled the policy
of the United States, and monopolized a
large proportion of thepositions of national
distinction. ~ Washington Chronicle
From the manner in which the writer be-
gins the above article, one would think that
he had some sympathy for the Southern
people, and desired to call attention to their
real condition. If such was his intention,
the rirus of abolition hate, which plainly
ranlxles in his breast, pointed his pen, and
turned the powers of the writer against the
unfortunate people Of the South. In it, VIC
find the usual amount Of gall and bitterness
which was thrown into oil the articles Of the
old-timc abOlitiOnists. The article is totally
untrue, and is intended to keep up the fires
Of sectional hate. AS if the editor Of the
CRFoaicle feared that the statement Of the
condition might lead to steps being taken
to relieve such States as South Carolina
from the cesspool Of Radical corruption
and wrongs, he prefaces the article with
the assertion that the colored slaves
were controlled by their owners as
completely as II they had been domestic
beasts, with the exception that, nosniadlis
tthe italics are cur own, it was murder to
put them to death at the caprice Of the mas
ter Now, the writer must either know
that such statement Is absolutely false, or
he is too grossly ignorant to conduct a pa
per. We know that the negroes have been
set free, and that their servitude is at an
end; but We cannot permit such malicious
representations to pass for the truth with
out contradiction. There were various
reasons which induced their owners to treat
them well-humanity, Christianity, self
interest and the statutory laws Of the differ
cnt southern States protected them to such
a degree as to make them the happiest and
most healihy race upon the face Of the
earth. The natural increusa Of people
Is considered the most psEfcc, test Of
lheir condition whether they are Well.
treated o. liro uoll; whether they are prop
erlv fed and clothed; whether they AZ.
uropsrly cared for and uursed in sick.
ness and old ases and whether they
are treated IS the beasts Of the field
o. ia the most humane manner. Tined b