New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-23
LcOmmunicated.I


SAeNoAJ, AZ kespect 70 pnyPlcal danger
sometimes even to fooIhardiuess; but
they are sadly lacking in true moral cour-
age They seem to be bound by the
opinions and prejudices of Southern So
clety to very unusual extent. They
seem to be unable to rise above popular
opinions SO as to dare to utter adverse
opinions even though they suffer from
the clamors of conscience, and earnestly
wish to reform the current opinions in |
some things and remove unreasonable |
prejudices that evidently stand in the way |
of commercial and social prosperity |
Very few dare urge ideas peculiar to free |
communities, even when convinced of
their utility, truth and justice, and still
fewer dare to print and circulate them. /
would much prefer to give the ideas of this
article to the public through Southern
Democratic papers, to be read where it is
most needed, but editors dare not risk their
subscription list, if they should venture to
utter doctrines that are held by nearly the
whole civilized world besides. There are
many editors who view things much as
do, and who are free to utter them in pri-
vate, in the ears Of certain persons, and
who would rejoice to see some of our So
cial evils abated, but they lack the cour-
age to announce and defend their convic-
tions.
They dread the scorn that would be
sure to follow if they should be suspected
of leaning toward any of those views that
have distinguished Northern people in
former times. They will admit in private
the excellencies of Northern people who
live near them, and even speak admiringly
of them, and yet they dare not treat them
with the same marked attentions that they
feel constrained to accord to equal South
ern strangers. There are very many
among US who now look upon slavery
much as Northern. people, and, indeed,
nearly all civilized people do, both in
moral and economical point of view, who,
for prudential reasons, maintain profound
silence upon the subject, except in very
private intercourse, and who would be all
a1ame at once if Northern man should
ventilate his opinions freely in an open
manner. So severe is this social law of
the South that man who dares to be
frank upon questions that were ever in
issue between the North and the South,
will be obliged to step down, at least, if
not both "down and OUT
It is quite common to hear Southern
men in priva peak very warmly of the
efforts that Northern Christians are max
ing to instruct teachers and preachers for
the late slaves, but it would be very
agreeable surprise that very few of such
teachers ever enjoyed-to have such
Southern men visit the schoolroom to
give the encouragement of their presence
and testimony to the work that is being
done, or openly be on terms of social
friendship with such teachers, much as he
might praise their philanthropy and piety.
Very few intelligentpeople can be found in
the South who would not admit that the
Sunday school is one of the most hopeful
means for securing faithful service, hon.
est neighbors and wholesome citizens,
and yet where are the men and women in
Southern communities who will become
Sunday school teachers in colored
Churches though they will admit that
there are absolutely none to be found in
those churches that are capable of teach
ing? If the repugnance of the white race
to the colored were strictly personal, it
would not be SO surprising; but it is not,
for much closer contact in other relations
is sought everywhere, habitually, all over
the South, without fear or shame. 1t is
only when the good of the negro is sought
as ar end that social condemnation is
visited upon the doer, or when persons
make no account Of an African origin,
and simply recognize humanity, as God
does. This ban is neither the voice Of
reason nor of conscience; it often violates
both, and yet popular prejudice controls
thousands in spite of conviction.
OF the thousands Of negro murders that
have been perpetrated in the South since
the war, of course we do not believe any
respectable Southerner would pretend to
offer justification, and yet where are TIE
men who would dare to inform Of the
guilty party and be q witness against him
or advocate firm judicial inquiry and pun
ishmentP Where have any such been ad.
ministered in the South2 Echo answers,
where2 The Southern papers are eager
enough for news in some directions, and
sensitive enough about tho rights of some
people, and gallant enough to defend wo.
men and children that are white; but
what paper, secular or religious, dares
vindicate wronged negro, or plead for
naked, starving, homeless and friendless
women and children whose poverty and
wretchedness are not their fault, but the
result Of lifetime bondage to the people
who now ignore their woes; and many OF
them have been made widows and orphans
/ by the white assassins' knife, rope or bull
let. Are not Christian editors and preach
ers well enough acquainted with the
Bible to know that God can have no attri-
butte that can take sides with such things as
the public sentiment Of the South is fore
ing upon millionsf
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