Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-09-22
THE WHITE CITIZENS OF THE SOUTH AND
THEIR COURSE IN RECONSTRUCTION.

1t is plainly true that one Of the reasons why
Reconstruction has not produced better.results
IL that the great majority of the white men Of
the South have stood aloof and in opposition.
They first believed that it was but temporary
act OF folly-a freak of politics-the farce that
followed the great tragedy. They have opposed
it steadily, hoping at each turn, to seize power
once more. In this hope, the Northern Demo-
Gratis have encouraged them, to their great in
jury, and to the injury of the country What
has been needed was the help in the South of
more men like Longstreet and Congressman
Hays, men who had character, position, and in-
nuence before the War and who, although they
fought on the Southern side, gaye up their strug-
gle honestly and completely, when they could no
longer continue it. Such men surrendered to
the Union, without reservation, and became, not
it's rebelious citizens but in good faith its loyal
citizens. They did not continue their attitude of
enemies, but yielded to the Republic and its
laws, in the temper of serving and respecting
them
The trouble has been that such honorable and
manly patriotism, the brave act of brave men,
has been denounced and reyiled by newspapers
like the Gazette of this city, and orators such as
the blatant Bob Toombs. Lee exhausted the
resources of the Rebellion, and yielded, but
these sympathisers with it desire to prolong its
bitter spirit. They have the very tongue of
venom for the ex-Confederates who become good
citizens and faithful Sons of the Republic. Pos
zibly newspapers and speakers of the class de-
scribed have too little influence to deter any 70
disposed from honestly dropping the Rebellion
and serving the Union, but their motive and the
character of their effort are, all the same il
shat direction. In 10 far as their voice reaches
they project its worst invective against an,
movement toward uniting the best elements o
the South, and in the supposed interest of thu
theories which the Longstreets and Wick
hams fought for, but which they only blathere(
about and prated over, they insist that tbs
as u race in ostracism and threaten
ing against all who are not white. The
thus impede, to the extent of their ability's tn
process Of decent, clean and honet ReconstruG
ton. In the words of Mr.. Billings of Louisiana
''the problem is to unite in effort those who ar,
really united in interest-the former slave ant
former master" but this union which would b.
complete and perfect if the Southern white mel
would simply join with full purpose of heart il
dong Justice to the Southern blacl. meu, Is i'm
psded, discouraged, and condemned by poopl
who stand outside and seek y partisan advan
sage in preventing ii.
We recognize fully the elements Of worth in
telhgence, and honor that are in the white citi
zenship OF the South. We are filled with n
undying hatred against those who bore the re
pellious flag. 1t is only needed that more u
them should accept this now Republic. which
sot the Republic of the Slave Power. If the
can but yield, in sincerity, to the principles c
Democratic free government, they can be trust
ed with power, and if not they cannot. True
they may incur the name of Republicans by az
cepting those principles, but the free citizens
4 free Union can hardly hesitate for such a RET
son. 1t is.needed, not that they join this or lhl
party. but that they simply consent to iu.t pri,
ciples. This, who can refuse
II thousand OF the best men who fought IN
der the banners of Lee will come down and joi
IN the work Of Reconstruction, IN N, spirit
Observation-Disclosures seeking to subvert Liberi
by some new trick or scheme OF "Whi
League but honestly devoted 10 its maint
nance in letter and spirit-the work of orgat
king good and honest government ut the Sou
will become'praeticable il not easy. All tho,de
men combined in effort will cleanse the foule
American community, aud the trouble at t
South largely consists in the foolish poll
which the majority of the ex-Coufederates ia
pursued. Iu them the policy was short-zightt
but the conduct OF those at the North who ADV
and encourage it is the purhhndnes- Of I
.rickad