The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-02

all reconclled TO the subjuRation which the
overthrow Of their armies implied. On the
contrary they seemed 10 assert the rights OF
capltulatlon, and assumed con cessons alto
seher Incompatible with the absolute SUI
premacy OF the Federal Govern nlent In the
adoption OF system Of reoonstruotio In
me face Of this feeling. and with the view Of
Ieoalmlng my former comrades 10 fidelity
10 the fortunes Of the reunited country, /
published the following letter.
senator Daniels recent speech In Brook
lyn attests that the declarations which eE-
posed me TO 80 much obloquy in 1907 are now
the prevalent sentiments Of the southern
people RooER A. PRYoR.
NEW York. Msyi,
NEW YORK, oct s. 1857.
hI DEAR sra: vas apprised, before the
receipt Of your letter, that q certain paper OF
virginia had stigmatized me a. a Radical.
and had otherwise imputed to me sentiments
inimical 10 the interests OF the South. But
the silly story disdalned to contradict. while
II rested on the authority OF the irresponsible
person who propagated il. since you say
that my silence Is construed into sort OF
acquieaoence In the reproach. empower you
10 repel the accusation with the utmost en-
erGy Of indignant denial have not the
vanity 10 imagine that my opinions are Of the
least consequence 70 any one; but. because
they have been brought into controversy,
and have been the occasion Of subjectlng
Inc to some unmerited snimAdversion. will
tell you. very frankly and freely. In what re-
latlon stand 10 the politics OF the day.
In the first place then, neither with politics
nor parties have the least concern OF con-
nection. On the downfall OF the Confsderaoy
lrenounced forever every political aspiration
and resolved henceforth 10 address myself
70 the care OF my family and the pursuit OF
my profession. But for all that. have not
repudiated the obligations OF good citizen
ship. When renewed my oath Of allegiance
TO the Union. / didNso In good faith and with
out reservation and as understand that
oath It not only restraints me from acts OF
positive hostility TO the Government, but
pledges me 70 do my utmost for It's welfare
and stability. Hence, while ! am more inn
mediately concerned TO SEQ the South re-
stored TO its former prosperity, l am anxious
that the whole country and all classes may
be reunited on the basis OF common interest
and fraternal regard And this object. II
appears to me can only be attained by con-
ceding TO all classes the unrestricted rights
guaranteed them by the laws and by oblterat-
ing as speedily and as entirely as possible the
distinctions which have separated the North
and the South into hostile sections
With this conviction, while pretend 70 no
part in politics. have not hesitated. Ia private
discourse. TO advise my friends in the South
frankly 10 accept the SITUATION 10 ADJUST
their ideas 20 the altered state OF atairs; 70
recognize and respect the rights OF the cOlored
race; to cultivate relations Of confidence
North. TO abstain fro m the prottess agita-
lions OF political debate and TO employ thei(
energies in the far more exigent and useful
work OF material reparHtion and develop
ment. Striving out Of regard TO the South 10
inoulcste that lesson Of prudent CONDUCT
have urged such arguments as these. That
the negro is In no sense responsible for the
calamties we endure; that, toward US, ne
has ever conducted himself with kindness and
subordination. that he IA entitled to our COM
passion, and 10 the assistance OF our superior
Intelligence ln the enort TO attain a higher
that 70 assume he was placed on this theater
as q reproach to humanity and stumbling
block IN the progress OF CIVILIZATION would
be 20 impeach the wisdom and goodness Of
Providence. that, considering the compare
tive numbers Of the two races In the South. IL
would be me inereSt madness 70 provoke
lutey essential - the peace. repose and pros
perity OF the South that the emAncipatod
ment OF their rights under the law. and should
be enlightened TO understand the duties and
interests OF social order, and well being. But
IL has appeared 10 me that the Oh ief obstacle
20 a complete and cordial rcunio between n
North and the south is found In the suspicion
and resentment with which the people 81
these sections regard each other. Hence.
while, on the one hand, assuring the Northern
people Of the good faith with VII ch the South
resumes its obligations In the Union, ! have
thought IL not amiss. on the other. 10 protest
70 my southern friends that the mass Of the
Northern community ere animated by fer
than we are apt TO suspect.
And thus. leaving TO others the ostensible
part In the work Of reconstruction, and alb
staining studiously from I'll political connec-
tion and activity, have hoped IN some meas
ure and IN m . quiet way to repair the evil !
ing myself n every appropriate private op-
portunity 70 suEgest these counsels Of mod
grafton and mRRnanmity. Passion. TO which
in truth We had abundant provocation. pre-
Cipitated " into secession reason must con.
duct VA back into the path Of peace and pros
Hard II may he to purge our hearts Of the
resentments and prejudices, engend eIed By
by a philosophlc comprehend Of the eX-
igenciet OF our situation we eha never re-
cover the repose after which the Wesried
~ vhsteyer risk Of personal o6loany, and
saCrifcs to talk as | dol am resolved 10 EN-
poy all the energy and intellect I may COM
mahd In the incessspt endearor 70 promote
lately bellgerent states What the country
needs what IN most espeel9l manner the
hr uI s nol,ioi,e IRON me
recruit lie exhausted en- er gee. The experience
Of the past stx years should have impressed
sNlutsry lesson-s Lesson sooner or later
learn ed by every nation In the development Of
solemnly the integrity Of motive by which
! was then nctUAted. yet ! never recall the
names Of the noble men who fell in our con-
fCt; ! never look abroad up6n our wasted
Zelda and desolated bones: I never conteni-
plate the all-enhrA cling ruin IN which We hre
involved the sad eclipse " our liberties and
the slnister aapect Of the fJtuIe, Witho in
wsrdly resolving 20 dedicate all ] .possess Of
avertin another such catastrophe. and 10 thar
end ~ ciltivAtin z spirit Of forhearHnce and
good feeling among all classes and all sections
OF the country.
These. my dear sir are the opinions very
briefly and Dramatically delivered, which ]
entertain touching the actual condition Of the
Southern states. and the policy pToper for
them 10 pursue In the present iuncture Thcy
are the result Of an Noua and considerations
reflection, ~ much obserystion OF the popular
temper ~ the North, and 81 extreme and I'M
ebated sollcltude for the welfare Of the COM
munity e. which ! am attachsd by the strong
cat tles ~ hlial devotion. With the utmost
sincerity ~ cor viction, I believe that by
system of conduct In conformity 10 theae
~ ggestions the Southern people may tchieyea
nv "a and hanpne odYel thew