Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-20
Letter from the South.

gentleman in this city recently received
private letter from friend In the oonth, irom
which We are permitted to copy the following
QUINCY, Florida, Sept. Sd, 1876.
The country here is delightful, as far as climate
goes. In fact, every prospect pleases, and you
can supply the rest
have no fault to find with any individual. In
fact, have in every instance been treated with
the utmost courtesy by individuals but the
masses are Objectionable. ! am reminded oil
what Shepard Carey said, when rendered nomi-
nation by the democratic party 81 cannot accept
it, Individually, you are good fellows and IKE
you, but collectively, you are a set OF ID scoun'
drcls and can't stand for you. Even cahui-
dates of the chivaly are polite but the AR Is ioui
with wholesale abuse of republican Candidates
and all who dare support them. The fact Is they
never have forgiven us fully for the threshing we
gave them, and would like nothing so well as to
show us their full appreciation of it. This feeling
Won must remember is with those unlike any
classes you ever met men whose will has been
law, both to white and black; men who have been
accustomed to control the right of domicle aid
give everyone whose views were Objectionable
one days grace; men who for thirty years la
bored to bling on the war and when 1t came forced
the poor whites into the ranks, aud now say they
have not been whipped.
OF course not; but if they foment second
broil they themselves will have full opportunity TO
change their minds. / am not surprised that the
men who have come down here on visits go back
with favorable impressions, for the people are po-
lite and hospitable; but if you will pick out
hpra tn
settle and allow him TO remain for two years. /
will send him back republican or engage to pay
his expenses. The ignorant arrogance with
which he would come in contact, and the views he
would hear expressed, would cffectually cure him
Of his folly.
You can hardly appreciate the state of affairs
At the risk Of being prosy, will give one exam
pie: The ex.Chief Mag istrate of the State came
into my Office, and as my wife was present, gave
introduction He found she was from New York,
and began to descant on the rcfnements which
now surrounded her. Said he, There is one
place which, perhaps excels this in intelligence
and REORGANIZATION, South Carolina; but
search the uorid and you will not find the equal
of that place" These towns are not larger than
West Waterville, when we knew l.. And doubt
If there is one man or woman here that would be
rated with you as well educated. When such
dense ignorance of the outside world exists, with
a consciousness of superiority which comes from
the habit Of control exercised without limit over
servile race and the poorer class Of their own,
with nothing to guide them but passion, what can
you expect of them in hot pcliticnl campaign ];
they are not restrained by fear force there is
nothing to which they will net resort to accom-
plish their purpose.
listened all day recently to their speeches and
heard nothing but general abuse. with proofs
of any fault. At last one of the speakers said,
1--WE must and shall carry this election. A dead
Niger is of more value now to the North than
ever live one was to the South, and l have no
doubt that Chandler & Co. have their emissaries
out to furnish him. Therefore l advise that no
killing be done, but every means short Of that is
justifable to prevent their voting the republican
ticket" And they cackle over the "lost cause
as noisily as hen over a new egg.
l would like to smoke pipe with you and give
you my impressions in ertenso. may do so soon,
on larger sheet than this. Send me some papers
occasionally and read the last speech of Garfield
in the House for exact idea of the situation in
the South.