Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-09

of seeing the Southern question in 3 more
dispassionate light. The emancipation OF this
young mans mind from the prejudices OF his
education aud surroundings is very power
fully worked out, and it affords the author an
opportunity for showing how the better clsss
of Southerners really feel in regard to their
region and the position of the negro since the
rebellion. 1t is unfortunately TOO evident
that there are not enough Hesden lie Moynes
at the South to leaven society, or the present
situation there could not exist. Indeed it is
Judge Tourgee's purposeto show that this class
of comparatively liberal mindsis in spowerless
minority, the majority being composed of
those who either approved the redemption
g of the country by the KuSlnx, or who
were afraid to express their disapproval
OF course the Kullux raid settled the
question of negro political advancement.
The national experiment OF compelling the
newly enfranchised race to make bricks with
out straw had the sequel which might have
been predicted. The crack of tbs overseers
whip had lot been sufficiently forgotten for
the Kuklux to have much difficulty in their
mission. They might have spared much of
the brutality they practiced, for tho colorsd
people were by no means disposed 30 resist
the oppression. They were easily oowed, for
they had only been free a hstle while, and
they had never been out of the grippe of their
late masters. The latter had turned TIE law
against them when their shackles were struck
off by the nation, and the great North had
failed to realize how much these shivering
neophytes needed encouragement and pro-
lection at their first strange entry
into political life. They were abandoned
helpless to the night-riders, and their subju-
| cation completed in short time. Aud
all this is history, however clad in the garb
of fiction. 1t is the verisimilitude of the
story which gives its fascination to it. The
reader is conscious all the time that he is
studying one of The strsngest and most
moving problems history has ever presented,
and that the scenes depicted have actually
occurred in his own country. It is mourn
full and yet stimulating picture, and it is
impossible that any earnest Northern BepubH
can should read the book without experiencing
the implied reproach which every page Of it
silently addresses to his party, for its in
trinity of purpose in carrying out the high
policy to which it wss pledged ia the sight Of
the world.
Bricks without Straw is indeed too
pregnant title for such history of the Re
construction Period at the South. We took
the negro from the field, and told him he was
free, but we gave him no help to keep his
freedom. We told the Southern white man
that he must respect the liberties OF his late
chattel, but at the same time we permitted
him to paralyze the newly enfranchised crea-
ture's progress with the Black Codes. Wegave
him Freedman's Bureau to help him, and
then we took it away because it was too use
! full that is to say, because it was denounced
by the men whose lqches it was instituted to
check and to punish. The freedman was ex-
pected to advance with his legs tied. He
was expected to become educated without
schools, to become independent without
freedom, to learn political wisdom with
out experience, to hold his own with
out equality of opportunity, to make bricks
failed to come up to the irrational ezpecta-
lions formed respecting him Is not TO be Won
dered at, but it is surprising that in the face
of such discouragements and obstacles as have
surrounded him he should have made any
progress at all.
Those who are impatient regarding the
plot of the story we must refer to the book
itself. Suffice it to say that the interest is
fully sustained to the end, that the charac-
tiers are well drawn, that the Incidents are
thrilling and graphically described, and that
the entire work is, if possible, mere interest
ing and absorbing than "a Fools Errand.
The fact that it is not merely story, but that
It's didactic purpose is the dominating con-
sideration, of necessity constitutes an excuse
for whatever shortcomings might exist in the
purely artistic features. No such defects,
however, are likely to be discovered,
for like the former book this one charms
and enchains the reader by its earn
estness and power, and he passes from
narrative to argument, and from argument
to narrative again, without noticing the
change. The author has remedies to suggest
for the Southern difficulty, which viii strike
different minds with varying degrees of force.
He suggests that one main causs of the differ
euee between Northern and Southern politics
is the circumstance that the South has never
possessed the elements of purely local govern
msnt embraced in the township system. Cen
tralization has been the Southern principle,
and the patty elections which throughout
the North accustom every inhsbitaus of
village to participate in politics, and to match
himself at some time against his neighbors,
have always been absent at the South, where
appointments are the rule and elections the
exception. We think it quite probable
that this consideration possesses force, though
slavery is alone almost sufficient to account
for the difference between North and South.
Another recommendation, and one which Will
be more likely to obtain general approval
and comprehension. looks to the extension OF
education as a means of elevating the South.
Judge Tourgee is of opinion that the nation
ought to take this matter in hand, and that
fund should be provided for use at the
South He thinks it would not be necessary
to take control over the State educational
systems, but suggests that the fund might be
so arranged as only to be available by those
schools which fulfilled certain conditions.
On questions of detail, however, he is not
bigoted, and broadly urges rather that
public thought should be directed earnestly
to this topic than that any particular scheme
should be advocated.
The suggestions which conclude the story
in no way interfere with its power and in
structiveness. 1t is a complete picture as it
stands It exposes the utter failure Of Re
construction. 1t brings the disastrous effect
of Southern bigotry and brutality into strong
relief. It makes the blunders of the
North more conspicuous than ever. 1t