The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-03-06
GOOD WORDS FOR THE SOUTH.
Its Present Condition as Described by q
Northern Man.
Nom VOrl. Stnr-

visitor upon Southern topics. The Colo
mel was agreeably surprised to find the
following letter awaiting him at his ho-
tel on Friday morning:
New York, February l3, 1879.
Colonel Julian ANen:
DEAR SIR-Will you permit Us to ask
you your impressions as to the condition
of the South? We desire especially to
be informed with reference to the securi-
ty of property invested by Northern men
in the South, and the protection of
Northern men who locate there. There
is considerable controversy among Notrh-
ern men as to the present disposition of
Southerners upon these questions. Your
we'll known reputation here gives any
thing which you may say the greatest
weight, and we avail ourselves of the OPP
portunity during your visit here to ask of
you as full statement of your expert
ence in the South as your time and incli-
nation will permit you to give. With
| respect your obedient servants,
E. T BACKHoUsE.
President Kings County Fire Ins. Co.
EDMUND BRIGGS,
President Williamsburg Fire Ins. Co.
JNo. H. BAKER,
President Mechanics Fire Ins. Co.
A. C. DAVIS,
Attorney at Law, New York.
r. K. COOKE,
Chairman Elk. Com. Produce Exchange.
n. CoTHREN,
Attorney at Law, New York.
The following reply of Col. Allen
speaks for itself:
NEW YORK, February Is, 1879.
Hon. E. T. BackhouSe and Others:
GENTLEMEN-Your letter of the 18th
inst. is received, and 1 take pleasure in
complying with your request, as it affords
me an opportunity of saying q word on
behalf of the restoration Of confidence
and kindly relations between the South
| aud the North-an event which has been
so long, so needlessly, and I think 1 may
say so unjustly retarded and restrained by
grievous misconception in the minds of
, many Northern men.
1 left Brooklyn three years ago to take
| up my permanent residence in North Car
| olina, and have since resided at States
Vile, in that State. I have during that
time become well acquainted with the
| social, political and financial condition
| of North Carolina, and l know that there
is nothing in the history of that State
/! during the time that have resided there
! which can justify or in any manner eX-
| cuse hostile or unkindly feeling on the
part Of any Northern man. North Caro-
lima is State of extraordinary resources,
peopled by as noble and patriotic men rs
! can be found in the Union. There is an
excellent State government, the laws are
faithfully and impartially administered,
and all classes are fully protected in their
civil rights. There is scarcely trace of
ill.ieeling noticeable between the whites
and the blacks. Northern men who set
tie there are met with that warm cordial
ity and hospitality which has always
characterized the people ofthe South. .
I assure you that Northern men and
Northern capital are equally protected
with Southern men and Southern capital,
and I may add that it will be difficult to
find more promising field for the en-
ployment of Northern capital and enter
prise. The State is rapidly recovering
from the disastrous effects of the war,
and those familiar with her present con-
dition and resources are unanimous in
predicting that she is now entering upon
an era of unexampled thrift and prosper
ity.
While residing in North Carolina, I
have visited many other portions of the
South, and have taken pains to study the
condition, not only of the people, but of
the country in that section of the Union.
So far as I have been able to ascertain
the facts, I believe that what have said
of the condition and disposition of the
people of North Carolina applies equally
we'll to the South generally. They are
anxious for peace and the restoration of
fraternal feeling with the people of the
North, and are laboring zealously and
patriotically to promote the welfare and
protect the rights of all their citizens, re-
gardless of past differences.
These statements, of course, opply to
the great masses of the people. In the
South, as in the North, there are un-
scrupulous politicians who seek oftentimes
to accomplish their ends by unjustfiable
or unlawful means, and in like manner
the ignorant classes are often victimized
by demagogues and political tricksters.
But, whether these men be Democratic
or Republican politicians, the masses of
the people of the South should no more
be held responsible for their action than
should the people Of the North be stigma
tized because the same class is found in
all political parties here.
The negroes, uneducated rs they are,
are unquestionably too often the victims OF
these designing and treacherous self-con::
stituted leaders, and are sorely in need
of good heads and good hearts to guide
them in the exercise of their recently ac-
quired political rights and privileges; but
1 deny that the great mass of the South
ern people manifest the slightest desire
to deprive them of their civil rights or to
oppress them in any manner. l reiterate
that the laws arc faithfully and Impair
TALLY executed, and that life and proper
ty are to-day as safe in North Carolina
rs in any State in the Union, and that
the government of the State is as con-
scienticusly and intelligently administer.
ed.
hope l shall soon see some or all OF
you at my house at Statesville, where
you may observe the condition of our af'
fairs for yourselves, and learn how unjust
are all the clamors which are raised In
North against Southern men, which
whatever may be their purpose, can only
result in postponng that return of con-
fidence and fraternal feeling between
the North and the South, so essential
to the prosperity and happiness of the
whole country. l have the honor to be
gentlemen, your friend and obcdient ser
want, JULIAN ALLEN.