Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-17
The South Still Bitter.

Several days ago the REFLECTOR
contained a little story concerning an
experience by Lyman Field Of Solo
mon in the South before the war and
his narrow escape from lynching be-
cause he took an abolition paper. II
was also published In the Chicago
Times-Herald and has attracted wide
attention. The New Orleans States
discusses IL to the extent OF q column
and half OF as rabid fre-eating as
as ever was seen in the days Of 1861
65. 1t shows how sensitive yet is the
mind OF the old time southerner and
while by no means typical Of the
South generally today is no doubt the
feeling Of many OF the elder genera
ton. The States preiaces It's remarks
with the admission that the story Is
doubtless perfectly true. 1t says;
Many Of such incidents as the above
occurred in the South at the period
mentioned. But they did not grow
out Of the intolerance or brutality Of
the Southern people; nor were they
the fruits Of the influence Of slavery
upon the character Of the Southern
people. Indeed, the influences Of
slavery were Of the most chivalrous
and ennobling character, and the
greatest writer's upon this question Of
slavery have shown that the only real
and substantial basis Of republic is
an aristocracy Of races, founded upon
this institution.
This fact is shown by the high and
naughty spirit Of the Southern people
under the old regime; by their prince
ly hospitality; their cultivation and
by the fact that though in a numeri-
cal minority in the country, yet for
more than 10 years they constituted
the highest craftsmanship and exer-
cised the largest control over the leg
islation Of the Federal government.
Think Of that, you men in blue,
who put in four years Of fighting try
ing to wipe out the curse Of slavery
Does not that sentiment read well in
leading journal Of the South after all
these yearsp But 1t goes on and tells
how the North was infamed against
the South in those days, one Of the
methods being, 1t says, "Uncle Toms
Cabin, the most powerful and at the
same time the most damable libel that
was ever promulgated against q peo-
pie, set fire to the North and embit-
tered the heart Of every man, woman
and child in that section, and taught
themtto look upon the Southern peo-
pie as race OF brutes and human
hell-hounds."
Then it refers to book written by
II. II. Keeper which 1t characterizes
in bitter words adding; "And what
is more significant than the rawlings in
the abstract Of this crazy fend, his
damnablc book was endorsed and re-
commended as the true gospel OF
abolition by over go Of the leaders OF
the Abolition party, among them
Horace Greeley, John Sherman, Ben
Wade, Charles Sumner, W. Lloyd |
Garrison and Others equally promi-
nent, able and influential, including, |
II our memory serves us well, James
A. Garfield"
"This," 1t says, ''is but feeble re-
cital of the hell-born scheme prevail
ing through the North to destroy
slavery in the South" 1t refers to
"that murderous old scoundrel, John
Brown, and his gang of thieves and
iayhawkers," and closes with this re-
mark about Mr.. Field; ITO this day
we say it is great pity that instead
Of being run off he was not hanged to
the highest tree in the vicinity Of the
postoAice.
A good deal is said nowadays about
forgetting and forgiving." This
kind Of talk from the press Of the
South indicates that there. yet are
those who want the North to do all
h. forrntt;or