The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-03-30
THE STANDARD.
THURSDAY. MARCH 80. 1915.
lFrom the independently
The Spirit Of the South.

take up my pen to record some OBJ
servations and impressions that are sug-
gestive and worthy of notice. ! was
present at the opening of the Forty
fourth. Congress, and observed that most
OF the newly-appointed officials of the
House of Representatives were unable to
take what is called the iron-clad oath.
In other words, that Union soldiers and
other loyal men were replaced by those
who had been engaged in voluntary re-
bellion against the Government of the
United States. A few days afterward ]
noticed In Richmond that similar offices
in connection with the Legislature of
Virginia were filled by MANNED or mutt
lated officers and soldiers, every one of
whom had suffered in the robel service.
The spirit which is thus indicated is
manifested in almost every possible way.
In Richmond, Savannah and Augusta,
policemen and State officials wear uni
forms Of Confederate gray. In Colum-
bia, Charleston and Jacksonville they
wear the National blue. The leading
men of the South, with few exceptions,
are no more in sympathy with the Uni
ted States, as q nation, than they were
fifteen years ago II ! werent liberty TO
repeat private conversations and give the
names of the speakers. this statement
would not b. questioned The truth Is,
they never believed in popular govern
ment or in Democratic institutions.
They still stoutly maintain that the man
who labors must be socially inferior to
him who Is exempted from this necessi-
ty; that this large class ought to be dis
franchised; and that the few whose su'
periority is proved by their ability to Sc
cure livelihood without manual labor
should be recognized as the sole govern
ing class" These being regarded as
fixed and eternal principles, as immuta-
BILE az the law of gravity, they look upon
the present condition OF things as abnor-
NAL and temporary. Instead of testing
it by experience, making the best of it,
or accommodating themselves to it, they
submit to it as temporary evil, OF which
they hope soon to rid themselves, and
which they will throw off the moment
the restraining Of the General Gov
ernment is removed. They predict that
within ten years they will again be mas
ters Of the situation, when the sovereign
ty Of each State viii be recognized, and
each one will be left to regulate all ques-
tions pertaining to civil rights and the
elective franchise in its own way i
have been told more than once that the
words nation" rebel, and loyal had
no right to place in our political no
menclature-that we were-not and never
could be nation" but confederacy Of
sovereignties. The large immigration to
Florida Of permanent settlers from the
North and West and the increasing num-
Der Of visitors from the same quarters,
who find its winters like northern sum-
mers, will ultimately revolutionize the
civilization of this State. One sees and
feels the tokens OF this change already.
Labor is not held in contempt. Res
pectable and respected white laborers
are more common up and down the st.
Johns River than in any other State
South of Pennsylvania. In the older
Atlantic States, with thin and impov-
erished soil, with far less attractions oil
climate, with fewer undeveloped resour-
ces, with traditions and civilization not
only unlike that Of the North and West,
but in many respects antagonistic to
theirs, the change must come slowly, II
il comes at all. Their circumstances are
far from prosperous and hopeful The
old governing class feels its humilia
tion; but it keeps alive its spirit by
dwelling upon the past and by cherish
ing the hope OF a speedy return to their
former civil and social conditions, VIII en-
capital will virtually, If it does not for
mally, own and control the labor it en-
ploys.
PmATKA, FLA.