The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-30
THE DUTY LAID UPON THE SOUTH.

From the Nashville (Tenn.) American, April GIL
Upon tho people OF the Southern States now falls q
responsibility which they have not had heretofore So
long as a government In which thcy were scarcely
represented assuming deal with and settle local
questions through organized arm alien to the peo-
pie, hostile to their interests, and having object but
power and plumber the white people in the South
excusablo for feeling that they relieved great
from responsibility They have shown great
courage and fortitude, remarkable calmness, all
things considered. They have had their faults and
committed their bnnders. They have not been saints
They have been men under burning sense of wrong
and humiliating and exaspcratng sense OF impotence,
but they have struggled with heroic patience and
noble nope. Tns peculiar surroundings saed
formed by the best clements and los
tered that OF the worst wnero the best
elements Of Southern society powcress TO act to
law abiding sentiment law, poweress to make
public sentiment or 10 do anything but heroicalIy TO
by law, by patience or hope for the fu-
ture. All this at end IL was the inevitable re-
suit OF war, itself inevitable thing IL should all
DO forgotten. The past cannot profit US now. The
future is our own TO make what We will of 1t. The
questions DO settled with reference TO ourselves
alone 1t Is well that we feel our perfect independence
and deal with them with OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
by what people may think here, there or elsewhere
uncontrolled by any OF any obligation owed to
anybody elsc We have been already too much accus.
toned 10 have asked among ourselves ..What effect
will our have upon our political prospects, or
what will Tom, Dick Ut Harry elsewhere say 20
Such a rule OF conduct Is degrading
and contemplate and the best reason for hope 10
that has bad the slightest effect IL has been
rejected and scorned We have now the opportunity
to follow a better rue--thc PLAIN, practical OF
strict right, OF exact justice To all mcn-the golden
OF DONG unto others would have others do
unto US. As mere matter OF selfish policy the most
enlightened seinshness could never have framed Tor
It's good alone better rule Exact justice, strict
and equal enforcement OF the laws: the protection OF
the weakest aud humbiesl, tho growth OF strong
public sentiment in favor oil equality before tho
law Will conduce 10 our own prosperity IL Is this wo
have to attain before we are prosperous, orderly,
law abiding pcopebefure enjoy all the blessings
oil law and order and tue iull measure oil prosperity
The sooner are about II the better.
There Is no longer any excuse Tor tho want OF law.
abiding spirit, or FOR the presence Of lawless GLASS;
able times 10 break over all restraint Tho law 10
now able everywhere IN the South to protect all;
must restrain nL In every community the law abid-
Ing aud moral class create strong public senti-
ment ia favor OF law and order and OF equal
Justice IL ID for their protection and we'll being,
aud without II can have no permanent prosperity.
The abiding and orderly, the moral elements must
grapple with other class, the disorderly and the
rash and splenetive, and trampe thcm under foot,
even II they be crushed and annihilated to be
corrected.
lhc South has escaped the danger OF reactonary
sentiment and policy IL has only reached the period
where the better elements Of society control the
reactonary and compel tho enforcement OF those prin
cples which necessary TO our future peace, sabiI
NY and prosperity. The hardest part Of work has
lust begun. We have just mad own salvation and
iuture development committed into our own hands
Fortunately IN tho long struggle Tor the attainment 0f
this end have acquired patience and iortitude and
calm scfreance. We arc better prepared for pursu.
Ing the next cnd-rightly using the liberty have
to build up the most orderly and prosperous COM