The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-10

HERALD some days ago 10 the Bunker HUI
Committee, that they woull do well to give
their celebration a thoroughly national char
acter, by inviting delegations FROM oil parts OF
the country TO take part in it as their guests,
and especially Southern men. we speak Of
Southern men particularly because there are
some signs that tie centennial ear may
easily be made true year OF jubilee and re-
Cancellation. The two sections, Norlh and
South, have been long estranged. They have
not correctly or intimately known each other
for more than quarter OF O century. Tue
men Of the South are misunderstood in the
North; The men of the North are misunder-
stood in the South. We stand to each other
in the relation OF counIymen, living under
one flag and paying taxes 10 q common gov
ernmcEt, but we ore, In fact, nearly as much
strangers to each other as though we were
members OF different and distant nationalities.
Acquaintance must precede reconciliation.
Until we know each other we cannot be truly
friends. There is not the slightest reason to
doubt tnat when the two sections do know
each other they viii become the last
friends which natural situation, common
lineage, common history and common
future make it Of the utmost impor-
tauco they should be. ANY ono who
knows both sections knows that there
is sill good deal OF irritation on
each side toward the other, and not only
4 irritation, but suspicion Of motives. These
feelings are so general that in the North a
man who speaks kindly of the Southern peo-
IL 1. IL
than one instance could be cited where
Southern man, having had opportunity to in
form himself of tie true spirit Of the North,
has laid himself open TO misconception and
criticism at home when he has frankly ex-
pressed his conclusions to his own people.
Nor is this remarkable. Fer many years
bitter political struggle estranged the two
sections. For some years afterward the most
furious military struggle Of modern history
divided us Since the close OF the war grave
faults on both Sides causing bitter political
animosities, have continued the estrange-
ment, until to-day it is absolutely true that
neither section knows what is the real spirit
and intent Of the people Of the other. On
each side the faults or blunders of the other
sent its real and prevailing spirit
1t is for instance, difficult to persuade
the average Northern man that the ypical
Southerner is not q staggering, overbearing
bullying, whiskey- bad-tempered
person, W ho at home mourns over the de-
struction of slavery, longs TO shoot negro and
brings up his children to desire new rebel
lion. 1t is equally difficult to persuade the
average Southern man that the typical North
erner is not greedy hypocrite, who hates
the South and wants to keep its intelligent
people under the rule of ignorance and cor
ruption, IN order that his section may Sc
curely rob and misrule. Now, we OF the
North know that this ideal Northerner has no
real existence We know that the Northern
people, be they republicans or democrats,
have no i'll feeling toward the people of the
Southern States, and that We would not con-
sciously countenance there, more than here,
vile political intriguers or the rule of igno-
rance and corruption. But they Of the South
know also that our ideal Southerner is mon
ster whose reality is as undiscoverable as the
Northern monster which the South has con-
iured up. There are men on both sides who
ans y er to the description in each case. What
ought to be known-what can only become
known by meeting face to face OF consider
able delegations from each side-is
that on both sides the mass of the
people are honest, just, lovers of peace and
order, DESTROYS OF good government, and not
animated by a spirit of hatred toward any
part OF the population.
Wherever, on the occasion of public or pri-
vate festivities. men Of the two sections have
come together, whether in the North or the
South, the result has been o mutual good
understanding, and the conviction that how
ever ignorance or partisan malice may cause
q laundering policy, the real motives of the
mass OF men North and South are honest,
kindly and American. 1t seems to as that
the importance Of making such good under
standing general cannot be overestimated;
the prosperity Of the country is involved in
il. We cannot lie truly and soundy prosper
Gus until We have thorough understanding
With each other. We need, for a re-establish-
ment Of cur industries, the confidence which
can only be inspired by fifth in each section
that the other means not hostility, not injury,
but good will and hclpfulncss.
Nor is il wrong to suggest that the North
shall be the first and the most active to move
in this matter Not only were we the vic,ors
il the struggle between the sections not only
we're We saved from the devastation Of actual
war, but it is our part to remember, what has
been too much forgotten by Us in the strife
and heat Of political turmoil, that we did inn
pose upon them Of the South q change Of
habits, customs and projudces greater than
has ever bela imposed upon any civil
lied people, and that whatever opposition
they may have made to this in the first years
after the var they have now, in good faith
and honorably accepted It; have actually con-