The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-17
THE VOICE OF THE NEW YORK MER.
CHANTS.

At the recent meeting in New York, the Hor
VIM. f. Dodge, one oil the most distinguish
and influential merchants of that city, made tn
following remarks:
l am here tonight not as the representative q
any party, but as one of the oldest merchants Q
the city, to express what honestly think is tn
feeling Of the business men OF the country.
do not come to denounce the general policy 0
the administration, nor the party with which TO
many years have been identified, but to FRANKLY
object to the further interference by the Genera
Government with the legislation OF the Southern
States or in any way to attempt to influence the
votes OF those States, or decide as to the results
OF their elections. Ten years have now passed
since the close Of the war, and there is yer,
general feeling that the time has come when we
should all adopt the language Of the President,
and say, "Let us have peace"
| 1t was not reasonable to expect that such q
radical change in the social system of the South,
by which four millions OF slaves were emancipated
| and then enfranchised, could have taken place
without more or less friction in their local gov
ernlnents. l submit that there has been less
than might, under the circumstances, have been
expected, and that the slaves, as general thing,
have disappointed the people North and South BY
Their quiet and peaceful behavior. Many pre-
dicted that they would not work and thu 1.-THE cot
ton field would lie waste, and this no longer be
the principal country for producing that staple;
but facts have decided the question. The last
Two years have been fully up - the average years
before the war.
What the South now needs is capital to develop
her resources; but this she cannot obtain till
confidence in her State governments can be re-
stored. and this will never be done by Federal
bayonets They must be left to work out this
problem among themselves. The freedmen must
choose for themselves. in view Of all their inter-
ests, to which party they will belong. It would
never do for them to suppose that they are al.
ways to be in opposition to the whites as their
only safety, and that the General Govern ent
will protect them. They must be made to un-
derstand that in many things their interests are
mutual and it will be fer better for them If they
cast in their lot with the different parties, so as
to secure the influence and protection OF that to
which they may belong. rather than keep up q |
constant political war of races.
Many Of US feel that the General Government
has made mistake in trying to secure the peace
and quiet OF the south by appointing many North
ern men to places of trust in the South who have
n their turn been active in securing the votes Of |
he freedmen and making them feel that the Uni |
ed States Government was their special friend |
'athcr than those with whom their lot was cast
'mong whom they must live and for whom they
must work. We have tried this long enough |
Now, let the South alone. Let them work out |
heir own propiem, understanding that only in |
ase OF Oppression or instruction which the State
annot control will the General Government in
erfere. As merchants We want to see the South
Jain her normal position in the commerce of the
country, nor can We hope for general revival of
business while things remain as they now are.
Agaln say Let us have peace"