New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-31
ABOUT CARPET-BAGGERS.

I ABOUT CARPET-BAGGERS. q,
| A LETTER FROM JUDGE A. w. TOURGEE.
THE AUTHOR OF "A FOOLS ERRAND" REPLIES TO
| ONE OF HIS CRITICs--pLAIN TALK ABOUT CAR
| PET-BAGGERs, NORTH AND soUTH-THE PRIN1
CiPIEs OF RIGHT IN SOUTHERN EYEs-A GLANCE
| AT SOUTHERN CIVILIZATION.
| In the following letter Judge TOurgee,
taking as his text Mr.. Royals "Repy to A
FOOLS Errand,'" aDalyzes that element known
in the Solid South as carpet-baggers. He
shows that the actual number of Northern
born persons who have gone south of
Mason and Dixon's Line since the war Is
not more than One-tcnth of one per cent Of
| the entire population that the negroes
outnumber the whites in only three States;
and that accordingly large portion of the
Republican party in the South consists OF
| Southern born whites. The cry that host of
Northern adventurers invaded the South at the
close of the war and took possession of all
| lucrative Offices is disproved by the records Of
the time, which show that only very meagre
percentage of Offices was ever filled by
Northern men. The South is held to be re-
sponsible for its own misgovernment because
of its Ostracism of all persons OF Northern
ideas, and its sullen unwiingness to submit
to the logic of events which its own leaders
precipitated. Judge Tourgee candidly points
out the many admirable features of the South,
and asserts that its greatest need is broao
and universal education.
NORTHERN ZEAL AND SOUTHERN FURY
CHARACTERISTICS OF Mr.. RoYALL AND HIS BOOK
REAL MEANING OF THE TERN CARPET BAGGER'
ASTONISHING DIFFUSIvE ENERGY OF NORTH
ERN "LARvE "-soUTHERN SPECIALIZATION
AND ITS RxsULTs-wHAT THE SOU MOST NEEDS.
TO the Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: have consented to the publication OF some
views bad expressed in conversation in reference
to pamphlet purporting to be a Reply" to what
| have written ia regard to the South. l hau
looked forward with some interest to the storm
long heraldcd through the newspapers as about 10
fall upon the caput of tho Fool" and compel him
TO say ruefully of himself, Where now be thy
gibes p [ confess myself disappointed know
next to nothing of the author, hut from the fact
that he tried to do something at home-actuay did
| run a character Southern newspaper for about
six months attested his readiness to 90 upon the
field of "honah" as the second of blo0dthlrsty
friend; was an enthusiastic supporter OF Jnstice
Fled for the Presidential nomination, ana had lie
enough to come to New-York with the commend
able purpose of bettering his condition. L
had expected luluRs VI A'A'N
a natural sympathy for the carpe.-bagger ana
when man. especially Southern mar, becomes
one I at once set him down as little above
the average of his fellows in enterprise and pluck
The very fact shows that he wishes to live, rather
than merely yegetate. / am always glad 10 see
Southern man come North to push his way. !
honestly admire his pluck and enjoy his success
rejoice in the appreciation which such men meet,
and bespcak for them all that their energy ana
merit deserve, sincerely believing that u Is
through such movements OF Northern men 10
the South and Southern men to the Noftn
that the great question will ultimately ap-
| proach solution. Carpet-bagging IS the very
essence of the principle Of natural selection In
this instance however, am afraid must admit an
execution. Ny fellow earpot-bagger from Virginia
does not seem to be at all up to the average OF the
F. F. VS., let alone the carpet-baggers. was
seriously in hope that he would write tbe very
strongest possible Of the Southern view
am very desrous that 1t should be done. 1t is only
through such conflict of opinions that the TWO
sections will ultimately come to know each other
and harmonize their Developments Ii have done
any wrong lot it be righted at once. Such reply
would either have answered or would have openly
acknowledged as fair presentation OF the
diverse of tho picture l have tried to
nresent. Instead of doing 80, on consider
ing his pamphlet fnd myself in the condition
of the green huntsman who. being asked why no
did not shoot at deer which came tearing 0y Ms
stand. replied Good Lord! man, what was the
Use At the rate he went by here he is certain to
break his neck before he gets much further"
really cannot see that he has said anything
hearing on the questions proposed by the book
which he processes to answer. He seems to have
sort of tigersh delight in "chawing up" me per-
sonally, which am altogether used to having done
in much ADLER manner. With respect to the pookas
reply to A Fools Erraud." therefore, Ihave moth
ing to say but will let the deer run It's course bus
thsre are some topics touched upon that are sug-
gastve and. with your permission, will say some'
thing about them.
The whole tone of this pamphlet is fine ilustra-
tion of the spirit of the "SOlid South" REGARDING
Union men, aud Republicans, as set forth ana
illustrated in my books. In this respect this
Reply" is most Ostexcellentcommentary. Inc wri'er
presents himself as representative OF class whose
course is alleged to be one of prescription nate anu
persecuton This he denies as to the degree aueged
hpt his language and spirit will go further to sup
port, than his denial to overthrow, the charge.
THE ORIGIN OF THE CARPEr-BAGGER"
The antipathy against people OF Northern BIRTH IS
not a new thing. 1t is only continuation OF the
old .n,r;t BEFORE the war, while Northern enter
nrise oyerspread the West with settlements, 1t was
kent oloof from the more fertile wastes and more
seductive climate of the South by the spirt OF ex-
clus,on and prescription which prevailed there AZ
no time has per cent of the Southern population
been of Northern BIRTH In 1860. the States Oh
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Florida. Alabama. Mississippi. Tennessee, Louis
lana. Texas and Arkansas had within Their lin"
nearly 20 900 men. women and children who had the
misfortune to have been born in the then nonslaVe-
holding States This was about one and two-tbirds
o, cant of tba n ,nulation Now II is claimed that