New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-02
SOUTHERN SENTIMENT.

VIEWS OF STEWART l.. NOODf OhD.
HIS TRIP TO THE SOUTH AND ADDRESS BEFORE THE
UNIVERSITY OF MssIssIPPI-A HEARTY WEI
CoMg-DRsIRR FOR THOROUGH UNION WITH
TIE NoRIH-PARgY REORGANIZATION NOT EN-
PrCTED CONSIDERATIONS OF BLACKS AND
WHITES CoLORED MEN on JURIEs AND IN
RAILROAD CARS.
The invitation to Gen. Stewart l.. Woodford
to address the students Of the University of Mississippi
his acceptance the discussion it brought out in tie
Southern press and the radical change in sentiment
toward him after the speech make leaf OF interesting
history which has not hitherto been published Gen
Woodold went South while the murder OF the Chisholm
family in Kemper County stl fresh in the public
mind and happened that his rebke OF awessness and
of those who passvely witnessed it, which was intended
the the students listened by Gov stone
himself, who sat upon the platform. CnlOusiy enough
the audience relished the HIT aud the speakers sent
ments were loudly appauded Gen. Woodford who
has Just returned to the city, asked 10y TRIBUNE
reporter to explain the circumstances unier
which be invited to make the address, ana his
mpre sions OF the trip. He said:
"SOme time in April received letter from the stu
dents OF the University Of Mississippi inviting me to de
liver their Commencement Address on the 27th OF june
that The body OF students have each year been
allowed To select their Commencement orator without
any interference from the Faculty or Trustees. think
that the selection has always been left to their discretion
absolutely Having always believed that much Of the
Misunderstanding between the people Of the two sections
would be removed whenever we should come Ia mngie
cordially and freely with each other glad TO
receive aud accept this invitation As You readily see
il gave good opportunity to meet the most cultured
class Of Mississippi wen the young men, Who being
now students surely to be the leaders OF opinion
in that state.
81 reached Oxford where the University is situaed. on
Tuesday June g. and had most cordial welcome from
the students and Faculty found that the Chancellor
OF the University is Gen Alexander ]. Stewart lie was
q graduate OF West Point. was Lieut.. General in the
Confederate army, and is gentleman OF broad culture
and ghiened Several Of the Faculty had been
general officers in the Confederate service and their
tneut Was evidently of profound and honest SYM
pathy with the Lost Cause Bur this in wise inter
fered with the marked courtesy and even cordially OF
the welcome they gave. The next morning although
there hard, steady rain, the college chapel was
filled with OF the most earnest and thoughtful audi
ences | have ever addressed They had evidently come
to hear kindly and judge fairly ON the pl orm were
the Chancellor, The Trustees and the Faculty; Gen
Featherstone whom every Army Of the Potomac man re-
members ~ the o commander Of the Mississippi Brigade
i'm Lees forces; Gen. Humphreys who was chosen Gov
ernOr in e6S, bus removed from Office under our
Congressional reconstructon GOV stone, the present
Executive Of Mississippi; exGOv. Clark, who was the
Confederate War Governor Of the Sate Senator Lamar
the Judges OF the present Court OF Appeals Gen. Cha-
ners whose name you VIII recall as having been asso
clated with she capture of Fort Pillow; Jacob Thomp
SON once Secretary of the INTERIOR and many others Of
equal local note aud influence"
% tried to talk to them with entire kindness
and frankness and certainly spoke with much free
dom ami was heard with much courtesy, as could
hayo been the anywhere in the NORTH
Reuorter" see General, that you told them, \ man
who substitutes his own viii for the will OF the many
and as the phrase goes, takes the law INTO ms own
hands is bad citizen; and he who acquesces III the
violence of his neighbours weak citlZe HOW WAS tna'
sentiment received
Gen Woodfori-" with a marked and hearty approval
so spontaneous and thorough that was for the instant
almost startled. They knew nstinctiyely what meant
and appauded heartily tnat am sure they meant IL
as deeply as any OF The fact Is that we Of the
North don't possess monopoly OF the law-abdng spirit
or purpose this people The educated and thoughtful
ca.se, in the South as well in the North thoroughly
understand that obedience to law and protection OF lie
and property essential conditions, without which
free state cannot The events OF the past week
have been painful, terrible illustrations Of the law
less spirit that is abroad in the entire land Against this
spirit good and wise men will everywhere array them
selves and this just true IN Mississippi is in
New-YorL"
NEED OF TOLERATION RECOGNIZED.
Reporer-"I see by the newspaper reports that you
spoke very freely Of the necessity for complete
soue federation by ALL not on OF the rights but also
the opinions OF others. How did your audience
this Z"
GEN woodford-" Just as kindly and with as much APP
probation like ideas would have been received any
college audience at the North that IN our esti
Of affairs az the South, as well as in their estimate
OF affairs at the North, both forget that the
forces at work in society and our politics
are after all the In both sections Men who
get preferment or power by keeping ola
pIejudces alive may be safely counted on To
keep their faces res0utey set toward the past without
ever looking toward future, working FOR the new
and better union thar rs coming between cH sectlohs
This necessities slavery compelled practical Intolerance
of All opinion hostile 10 10. TINS Intolerance viii
continue the South just SO long as the traditions nen
ories and influences Of slavery survive. As these
die il will die. The educated aud progressive
sion IL dead They cordially wish a thorough
and more perfect union with MS. and they DOT
only desire hut am sure Will labor 10 secure sncn prac
teal federation Of opposing Ideas as VIII make such
unlou possible. That there many men among them
vino prefer TO live III the graveyard OF the past,
is true but this 10 equally true Of us nave come home
satisfied every hand that is reached Out honestly and
heartily from tho North will be met by honest ana
true hand from the South The lesson OF mutual toler
yantages Of the mast have the largest be
hope ul for the future OF the south IN this regard"
Reporter-"You travelled through the state after de
liyeriug address, did you not9"
Gen Moudf0rd" Yes; WAS fortunate In being able To
do uis IN company with senator Lamar. We were met
and most Hospitality entertained by the leading citizens
each point visited. Tho three things thar gave me
most encouragement are these o. Everybody, white
and black. seemed ~ be al work. CD There were as
many acres OF under cultivation there were OF
cotton (3) The planters, leading business men and
leading LAWYERS were evidently sincere IN their desire to
gNs the Union their hearty and effective support"
No SPEEDY CHANGE IN PARTY ORGANIZATION
Reporter" Prom what you gathered OF the views OF
the leading Of TIE STATE do look any
change In party organization In the sOuthT
Con. Woodford-" Not Immediately. Race prejudice
always dies very slowly everywhere. Witness the Chi
nese rots this week ~ san Ersnoisco, and the local