National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-02
A STORY OF THE SOUTH.
The Experiences OF One Northern Man
Who Voted for Grant.


A writer In one of the Fredericksburg,
Va, papers assails the writer OF an article
upon "spotsylvania County, Va" pub
lished IN the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN on
Nov. last, and, after INDUCING in much
unjust and ungentlemanly criticism, aud
declaring himself an enemy Of "Republi-
can Yankees" confidently af1lrms that
northern people have been fairly treated In
the south. Being personally acquainted
with the author Of the paper on "Spotsyl-
vania County, referred to, and finding him
indisposed to parry terms with anonentity,
but determined TO treat with silent con
tempt the mad rawlings Of an
unreconstructed traitor, / VIII ven
ture to describe my own experience
among friendly southerners OF Virginia.
This rebel writer In the Free Lance shame
lessly assumes to be the speaker who
"thanked God that his farm had been
fertiliZed with Yankee bloodn Hoping,
perhaps, to win the plaudits Of those who
are equally vicious with himself, and for
getting that decent, thoughtful men, how
ever rebellious they may have been, look
with shame upon such characters, he boldly
avows himself the champion OF sectional
hatred. take II for granted that any one
''brave defender OF the lost cause" needs
only an opportunity and knife to prove
an assassin.
The article written by my friend was a
calm, tlispassionate, truthful statement. II
aimed no SANDER; 1t attempted no evil. 1t
was sensible expose OF d deteriorated
country, and expressed only what ap-
peared TO him to be actual reality. While
| cannot fully commend the usefulness OF
ND nd haliaua
that the misfortunes OF people are more
charitably treated by avoiding all reference
to them; yet the truth OF his statements
cannot be denied.
Being the unfortunate victim OF southern
friendship, as evincad In Virginia, speak
as one who knows. In 1871 bought a
farm in one OF the middle counties OF Vir-
ginia, upon which paid So 900 In cash and
gave promissory notes for the balance, pay
able semi.annually. For awhile all went
merry os n rnorrIooe hall BEFORE mid
the 81. 600 NV wife and dauobter were the
recipients OF every mark OF esteem, InyI.
tations poured In from every quarter,
Smiles greeted us from every doorway, and
the bitterest rebels We'd with each other 10
plense the newcomers. But no sooner had
nv money changed hands than NV
family was deserted and became
an object OF derislon and Gcorn
Then began a deliberate system OF perse-
cutlon, Which Gbhsed. when / had crossed
the Potomac forever. My fences were torn
down In the night and strange cattle driven
upon my crops. Fires were lighted upon
my timber land, and, soon after, suits com
menced to recover damages for the destruc.
ton OF timber and fences A Jury OF brave
confederates estimated old worm fences
which were broken down aud worthless, al
81 per panel and consequential Injuries al
enough TO rob me OF over 5000. Meantime
the election drew near.
was advised TO vote for Greeley, nomi-
the day of election attended church with
my family. The man OF God came out In q
bitter invectlye against Grant and all Union
lists. When reached my home | found q