Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-12-25

occasional mansion, mat IN the Old
times lifted itself proudly among ascore
of cabins, but of the thousands ofdrcent
farm-houses, comely cottages that have
been built in the last ten years. l
know scores whose new barns are bet
ter than their old residences. Our peo-
pie have better furniture. Good mat
tresses have largely driven ont the old
time feathers. Cook-stoYes, sewing
machines, with all such comforts and
conveniences, may be seen in dozen
homes to-day where you could hardly
have found them in one in 1860. Lamps
that make reading agreeable have driv-
en- out tallow-dips, by whose glinmer-
ing no eyes could long read aud contin'
ue to see Better taste asserts itself; the
new houses are painted; they have not
only glass, but blinds. THERE'S more COM
fort inside. There are luxuries where once
there were not conveniences. Carpets
are getting to be common among the
middle classes. There are parlor organs,
pianos, and pictures, where we never
saw them before. And Sc on, TO the
end of long chapter.
Test the question Of our better condi-
ton by the receipts of benevolent insti
tutions, the support of the ministry, the
building improvement, or furnishing OF
churches, and we have the same answer
Cur people are better off now than III
1860.
In reply to all this some one will say:
"But it costs more to live than in
1860" l answer, true enough; but there
is more to live for.
Secondly, the social and civil order
existing in the Southern States, is itself
wonderful and an occasion of profound
gratitude. For any wrongs that have
been done in our section, tor any acts
of violence, for any pretext, for any
disobedence 10 law, have not one
word of defense. Admitting, for argu-
ments cake, all that the bitterest OF our
censors have ever said upon these sub
iects, still say, considering what were
the conditions of life in the Southern
States aftor April, 1865, the civil and
social order that exists in the South is
wonderful. Our critics and ccnsors for
get, we must believe, the history OF
other countries. They have never com
pretended the problem we had given
us 10 work Out after the surrender. On
ly those who lived through that period
can never understand it. Why has not
this whole Southern country repeated
the scenes of IIayti and San Domingo Z
Not the repressive power of strong
Government only; not the fear OF the
stronger race only: not that suggestions
have been lacking from fierce and mar
row minded fanatics; but chiefly in this,
the conservative power of the Protes.
tant religion, winch had taken such deep
root in the hearts and lives of our peo-
pie. The controlling sentiment Of the
Southern people in city and hamlet, in
camp aud in field, among the white and
the black, has been religious.
Thirdly, the restoration of orr rela-
tions to the general Government should
excite our gratitude. Possibly some do
not 90 with me here. Then must go
without them, but shall not lack Tor
company; as the years pass, 1t will be an
ever-increasing throng. We must dis
tinguish between q party We have, tor
the most part, antagonized and the
Government it has for so long time
controlled. Whatever may be the faults
of the party i'll power, or OF the party
ont of power, this is, nevertheless, so
far as l know, altogether the most salts
factory and desirable Government in the
world; and am thankful to God, the
d;sposer of the affairs of nations and OF
men, that our States are again HI rela
tons with the general Government.
Should we be surprised or discouraged
lecause our section does not control the
Government History, If not reason.
should teach us better. Is there parai-
lei TO orr history since lSG0-war, bitter,
continued, and destructive, defeat utter
and overwhelming, and all followed so
soon by so great political influence and
consideration as we now enjoy? When
did a defeated and conquered minority
ever before, in the short space of hfteeen
wears, regain such power and influence III
any age or nation? And this is the more
wonderful when we consider the immeaS-
urablc capacity for laundering which the
leaders of the dominant party IN our see
ton have manifested during these years
of political conflict. And it Is the more
wonderful still when we consider how
ready the dominant party OF the other sec
ton has been toreceive, rs the expression
| OF the fixed though secret sentiment OF
the mass of the Southern people, the wild
utterances of Il few extreme impractlca-
bles, who have never forgotten, and have
never learned. ] tell you TO day, the So
ber-minded people who had read history
did not, in 1865, expect that our relations
with the general Government would be,
by 1880, us good as they are. But they
would have been better han they are II
the real sentiment of the masses on both
sides could have gotten itself ia'rly eX-
pressed, for these masses wish to be lilenuS
and before very long they will sweep from
their way those who seek to hinder them.
Ny congregation, looked ut OIL all sides,
and measured by any tests, 1T Is one OF
the wonders of history that our people
have, in so short time, Fifteen years is
very short time in the lifetime OF ma
tion.) so far overcome the evil effects OF
one Of the most bloody and desola.lng and
exasperating wars ever waged in this
world! And the facts speaks worlds for
our Constitution, for our form of Govern
ment, and, above all, for our Protestant
religion-a religion which will yet show
itself to be the best healer of national
wounds anG the best reconciler Of estrang-
ed brethren.
But, my congregation, there is one great
historic fact which should, in my sober
Judgment, above all things, excite every
where in the South profound gratitude to
Almighty God: MEAN THE ABOLITION OF
AFRICAN SLAVERY.
If 1 speak only for myself, (and am