New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-25
A MUCH-TROUBLED LAND.


SETTLERS FROM TIE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AND
nLoODHOUNDs-IMAGINAT DlsrATCiFs-fihE
KIND OF WELCOME EXTENDED TO IMMIGRANTS
-MOIs-LAw STILL RAMPANT.
IFgon A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT or THE tribune
WAsuINGToN July 2O.-My journey through the
Southern States has been full Of interest, 10 NY S'"
nj least have seen some things that were saddcn-
ing some that we're amusing, and other Things 'h"'
excited NV indignation, with much that is crafty
ing and encouraging But must close this series OF
letters referring only to a few things for which
have not found space hitherto.
have been much in the country at a distance
from the railroads. and have seen great deal OF the
life of the people, especially OF the lodule ana
poorer classes and have lived among them in ways
that usually appeared to prevent or overcome any
feeling of restraint dstrust on their part. have
also been in MANY families OF the 4" best people y OF
both political parties, in the various States, aud
have everywhere received letters of introduction Il"
leading citizens. These were freely protcrcd by men
to whom | expressed the wish 40 the South as
it is" and they were often of much service, but
some of them did not use, because found that l
could obtain all needed information by other means
at less cost of time. Very few persons in the South
learned that | was Il newspaper correspondent
had plenty of other ways of accounting Tor
my journey, but il was not often necessary 10
count for it at ALL 1t may be that some persons
would have been less frank if they had known what
would be made of the information they so freely
ami courteously aided me to obtain, though many
prominent Southern men expressed the wish that
would tell the people of the North exactly how
found things everywhere l have incurred no
obligation of secrecy except that, of course, do
not use names, in any way designate individuals.
The Southern people of all classes are generally so
social fond of talking that had rarely any need
OF special effort, of introduction, to enable
me to obtain access to any one whom wished 70
see Very commonly the mere declaration that
was stranger desiring to learn about the industries
and resources of the country was all that was re-
quired. Most of the gentlemen upon whom thus
called appeared to regard my having sought iu-
formation from them compliment, and thus.
having effected meeting, and, III the hIst few
moments established pleasant relations, could
talk of everything. and | could learn all that
wished to know of the opinions, feelings and
character of the man who was talking to me.
METHODS OF OBTAINING INFORMATION.
The method which often followed was to talk
as little as possible myself until | had obtained
from Southern men the fullest expression OF their
views and ideas and then to mention the fact that
i had been in the South during the war as a Uuion
soldier, that at that time was au enthusiastic
young abolitonis, etc. did this i'll order to learn
whether such an announcement would produce any
change of feeling utterance, but never able
to observe any dimnutiOn of interest frankncss
other times, when entering the circle around the
stove in hotel began by saying that had ex-
plored portions of the South with the soldiers of
such such Union General. but this only led TO
much telling of stories by all OF us. / conclude
that if Northern man, in visiting a Southern
town, should go first to the negro local poll
tcians, many of whom dsreputabe fellows
and should spend day two III lcadinga company
of them from one drinking saloon to another he
would not afterward be received very cordially
by the respectable white people of the
place. have usually called decent people hrst
prominent white citizens or the educated colored
clergymen or teachers, and have then found no OBJ
stacles in the way of observations of even the lower
strata of the life of the town and the region
about it.
Ihave conversed with the Governors of five of the
Southern States, with most of the State Supcrin-
tendents of Public Instruction, and many other
State officers. have visited four State prisons and
have inspected several gangs of convicts working in
the country on railroads, ETC. have visited several
county jas and almshouses three asylums for the
insane and many colleges and schools of all grades
My plan has been TO take nObody's word for any
thing that could see for myself and to report i'm
partially and accurately what saw and heard with
the impressions made upon my own mind by every
thing.
THEIR OWN TESTIMONY.
Whatever has been said in these letters of an I'M
q
persons is drawn from wha, such persons have
themselves said to me. have often reported what
people say to of each other, but il will
not do to accept what is said by any class in the
South as an adequate account of THE Southern
Situation" Some allowance for natural misundcr-
standings or for partial views is often perhaps
always, necessary. What / have related of Demo-
cratic interference with negro voting was derived
wholly from Democrats themselves, who in some
instances avowed that they were active in such in
reference and III others told that the local lead
ers of their own party managed matters as have
described Such unfavorable account as Is given in
these letters regarding many Republican ofice-ho-
ders and politicians is derived from what these men
have themselves said to me, i'll friendly, careless
conversation. They usually appeared to be glad "to
they often unbosomed themselves in a manner and
degree that at first somew hat astOnished me
For some reason which l cannot ALWAYS deter
mine, Democrats in the South usually appear
extremely reserved when | ask them about the
character and methods of action of Southern Repub-
hcan officials and politicians of the present time
They freely express their horror and disgust regard
ing the state of things which prevailed as they saw
some years ago, during the carpet-bag period" but
In regard to existing conditions even in cases of
most obvious unfitness and improperly of official
character and conduct, they assure me- with much
emphasis, that " these matters have greatly i'm
proved within a few years" None of the Southern
men with whom | have talked appear to feel that
there is anything ntolerabc in the state of thnos
which have criticised pertaining to the character
and methods of Republican politicians. They ex
press much satisfaction on account of the improve
ment that has already taken place, and are in
The habit OF saying that Everything will come right
with time ~; but have seen things that no North