Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-09-13
The SOnth Degraded aud Barbarissd-
Strong Views Against Negro 6OY.
eFnnent-A Statesman's
Review.
From the New York Herald.l

| terday, the next great representative
( Virginian al present in Richmond uponlwhom
/ / called was Mr.. K. n. T. Hunter, whose name
/ is familiar TO everybody at all conversant
with the political history Of the country iol
] the past three decades. Mr.. Sunter was con-
I gresham from this state for number ol
/ terms prior to the war. For sixteen years he
! was chairman OF the finance committee OF tht
United states senate He was a senstoi from
Virginia IN the Confederate congress, and Tor
! awhile filed the position OF secretary OF state
/ in the late Confederate government; AZ the
I last session Of the general assembly OF Nlr-
I gfnia he was a candidate for the successorship
/ 10 81 natOr J. r. Lewis in the United states
/ senate, but was defeated by Lieutenant-GON-
! ernor Withers, who haa local claims upon M the
party, which, at the time, Outweighed the
/ great influence Hunter wields IN the Olu Do
| mlnion. Later during the session, a vacancy
occurring in the once OF the State treasurer
] by the insanity OF the former incumbent,
Mr. Hunter was rendered the position,
] and having signified his acceptance OF IL ne
was unanimously elected and he now DreSldeS
! over me financial department OF this debt
! ridden state. Mr. Hunter, though about sixty,
| is stiil a hale, hearty and vigorous man. Wltn
the fiorid complexion and appearance OF a
healthy granger Of forty. found him in the
treasurer's ONCE engaged in the discharge OF
is official duties, and, having signlhed 70 him
the nature OF my mission ne expressed Ms
willingness TO be interviewed ami asked me
/ TO be seated. He had read the II raid article
| Of the fourth instant, and l asked
what are your opinions Ia relation 10 the
4 subjects treated Of in that editorialc"
Mr.HunteT-It would require more time and
consideration than could give the SUBJECTS az
! this time 70 do them full Justice, II, indeed, i
! could render IL at all. / was much struck by
/ the wisdom, and what is much better, II pos
| sible, in such cases, the good spirit which II
manifested toward people who have mol
! been treated either with justice or good policy
heretofore believe that if the government
! had been guided by such views in It's conduct
toward the south heretofore snd since the
war, IL would have been better for all parties
concerned, whether those parties are oonsid-
SECTIONS OR RACES.
Correspondent In what respect do you con-
slider the recent policy of the government to-
ward the south defectivee
Mr.. Hunter-When government was studi-
ously placed in the hands Of the worst and
most incapable elements OF society, as was
done in the south in so many cases, and such
action was justified on the ground Of punish
ment Of those who were most capable OF
meeting the difficulties OF the case, and when
those persOus whom IL was most important
10 conciliate were so treated as 10 be con-
WINGED that there was purpose TO
DEMORALIzE FOR THE DESIGN OF DE-
GRADING
them, what could be expected but ruin--so-
cial political and personalH There is no safe
foundation for free government and seli-goy-
ernment but the self-respect OF people. TO
destroy this proud and conservative feeling in
the breasts OF q people, of purpose and by de-
sign is an act for which its authors will be held
accountable, nOtODly here but hereafter. The
full measure of responsibility is 10 be neck-
oned not only in this world but in the next,
Z
mated and more justly appreciated.
Corrsspondent-Do you mink the south has
been dealt with more severely than any other
conquered rebelliOus provinces?
Nj. Hunter-I would say that history re-
cords no such instance previous to our case,
except the treatment OF the
HELOTS BY THE SPARTANS;
but refrain lest it should be deemed extravs-
CANT BY the many who believe that would be
fmpOssible but pass from the consideration
OF ourselves and our own troubles.
CoTespOndent-Is Il your opinion then that
the people Of the north have suffered, as We'll
as those OF the south, from the effects OF recon-
Mr. Hunter-The picture OF ruined people,
a demOralized system CT labor and grown up
fields, the gardens once OF cultivation ami
civilization, II confined only TO the south
might not excite interest enough to awaken
attention. The resumption Of empire by the
Jungle and the wilderness implies such a
waste OF the elements Of refinement and civil
izatiOn as must be felt to be realized. In the
south we know what II is may II be long be-
fore the north
SUFFERS FROM THE SAME CAUSES,
will not say 10 the same extremity. The
Herald seems to realize the fact that the north
is already beginning 70 suffer something nom
the same causes, and In this article il wisely
warns the people against the reflected misery
which is sometimes occasiOned by gross mis-
takes and reckless misconduct.
CorrespOndent-In what way do you con-
slider the north suffers from the effects OF the
mistaken policy OF the government toward
the sOUth2
Mr.. Hunter-It Is now nearly a year since
panic occurred in New York, which it was
then said would not last iOng. II was Ocoa-
stoned, Il was asserted, 5y some oVertradlngi
a little imprud INT Indulgence n railroads, a
certain degree Of confidence In the banks
Confidence would soon be restored and credit
would be revived. Almost year has elapsed,
and confidence has not yet revived under the
spirit of enterprise or with united energy. A
vast amount OF capital had been destroyed In
the Wal much Of il wasted since in partial
Z a. rurrrOvfdRnN leriglafiOn. THE south. once
50 potent an agent in the production OF Wealth
and the restoration of credit had been striek ken
down, and was now
COMPARATIVELY PowERLEss.
What is worse, things are getting but little,
II any. better in this section. II may have As
many arms Is Briareus, but turn where IL
may, or stretch forth what arm IL will, IL Is
! quick piniOned TO its side by the action OF the
! government, and il can do nothing 70 AID ~
self or others until il IS relieved from this
! course Of policy. The,peOple Of the north seem
Z 20 have rendered this necessity, aud the
/ Herald is not afraid to express its opinion In
regard 10 It, o a. SIC 0asfies Had this been the
] case heretofore we should not have been in
our present condition, 70 which we have been
! brought By unwise and passionate legislation
] Observation-Disclosures, in your opinion
might have been done 20 restore the prosper
] ity OF the country Immediately after the war
Mr.. Hunter-When our slaves were enanci-
! pated, without compensation, and our EyslcIn
I OF labor so changed, II not demoraiizeds as 70
/ be almost com psratively worthless, no step
the credit without which 81 could not work
A small compensation, even by way of loan
not more than
PRESIDENT LINCOLN HIMSELF sUG.
GESTED,
would have gone far 20 revive the credit and
stimulate the energies OF a section which fol
80 long had furnished
THE BULK OF THE FOREIGN EXPORTS
ofthe country. Slave property before the wal
had been the basis Of credit 70 great extent
in the south, and II some substitute had beer
offered when that was gone, the northwest
might have retained her greatest customer
with a large power TO commerce, and the
north and east would still have had the
means 70 speed the shuttle or propel the white
! winged sails Of commerce from sea 90 sea Has
that been The case, or Is 10 likely to become so
| under the present .ystem OF government
l GOrrespondent-1our own view OF the sit
uation, Mr.. Hunter, is what would like &c
hear.
. ment and new exhortattOns to a vindicuvt
hate Of the only class which can rule the
south. or aid in re-establishing the Affairs OF
this country. 1.-THE
SEEDS OF HATE AND DlsAFFECTION
be sowed in the hearts Of the whites Of the
south iiy denunciation and oppression, will
I any one be thus benehted2 VIII it help the
negro II the whites are made to believe that
the two races cannot dwell together consist
emily with the liberty ana self respect Of the
latter VIII IL help the cause OF good govern
ment or the prosperity Of more fortunate Sec
/
south 70 such degree that Il will use It's 20.
uticai power TO reach those who oppresss them
ana ssnI.ot 9e punished IN any other way
with shame II he should see any section
forced 10 destroy
ITS LIBERTIES
TO obtain immunity from outrage or oppres
sion.
Correspondent--Are there any circumstan
oes which could Justify such an Impression
Mr.. Hunter-If the south should be willinl
uHE auaH ~ m.raHH
"ii'' THIRD TERM POLICY
would Indicate, to escape the civil rights bill
who shall cry shame upon her II she shoult
| be willing 70 sell something Of her liberties {
escape the
POLLUTION OF INCARCERATION.
Eot I:mucb as am opposed 10 the third teri
1 policy, never expect 70 be driven 70 that ex
| fremity myself 1 have lived In better time
/ and have learned 70 value liberty 100 hlgh I
| no be willing 70 barter IL for immunity froT
| outrage or oppression Will at least endeaN
| on 10 use some other means OF defense. Bu
! cod knows 10 what extremity may b
/ brouqht by the spectacle cf the miseries {
! NV countrymtn. have already been drive
further than expected by such sight.
| Observation-Disclosures do you think Will b
| The nolicv OF the south unoer cOntinuatio
Mt. H1nter-Ii the policy Of punishing u
/ south through the use Of the power OF iegisli
fion and of Ihe government by the north an
| east shall be further pursued, Is u 70 De 50
/ Tosed that this unhappy section viii not pr
tect itself by favoTfng the schemes OF SON
/ ofber and stronger seetiOn2 What, then, b
= ] Comes OF the government, Of the Liberties,
| the prosperity OF the people? Il is not for ID
| 10 depict the consequences OF such a state
correspondent--But ! would like TO hay
, your idea Of IL.
A DISMAL PICTURE.
Mr.. Hunter-The negro is free, but at viii
. cost of money. OF life, OF the social and NOR
elements or national strength and prnsperlt
none have vet undertaken 70 estimate. II
lives that were lost in the war are estimate
, in millions. The money expended, Lost c
l wasted b. IL would have paid for each maj
: woman and child among the slaves at man
! times their market value. The constitutio
Y / has been torn into Ehreds and tatters. Tai
y the remains OF that highest OF all it,sTumen
!, OF human hapPines and government e
] penJe G1aif, tenn. and tell me how many fei
lures you now Ind in that once great ageDc
OF human freedom and progress. How loI
will any Of u remain II we Keep up this wa
: fare, not by arms, but by votes and policies
I, Is far more destructive 10 constitutional II
erty than the former
!, Correspond ent--NoW, Mr.. Huniar. what Z
: you think OF the proposal TO avert such a G.
tasirophe by the call Of national convel
tfonf
THE CONVENTION AyD THE MODEL. n
= PUBLlCi5 MISSION.
p II. Ernser-I am glad 70 zee thst the ID
!, aid Is disposed 70 avert such 3 catastrophe.
y. / zuow moi whether any convention could