The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-07-03
The Southern S1ye's Monument.

Taere are monuments and mona
ments. The latest projected is that
to Mr. Lincoln to cost $1,000, 1000
NA.r. Lincoln, the man who led the
bloody crusade against our section in
1S6l-'G5. BY unlimited resources he
oyerbore the urh in her contest for
constitutional rig.t. The war issue
was decided in favor OF tAe heavy bat
talions, and t1e prejudice that existed
against the South.
The monument to the Southern
slave is enduring but it is no, Dnjlt
OF stone. He was perhaps the most
contented slave that ever lived. His
ccntentment very much ch&grined Nj.
Lincoln. .IacauIay said tina. certain
berzons elected 70 bear batting not
/ because II was cruel to the be.lls bat
because it afforded the spectators
pleasure. T@is saying Of tie astute
historian should never be forgotten
wnenevr writing Of Southern sla|ery.
Slavery has existed all through his
tory, but its existence nowhere gave
the world such qualms Of conscience
as did Southern slavery. 1t was
practiced throughout the Union at
one time, but climate and occupation
made it improbable at the Norta. 1t
is barely possible that these circum-
stances Aastened its abolition in that
bleak region. The institution was in
herited from our ancestors without
thinking seriously of its evil features.
Similarly polcgamy was once practiced
by Christians without conscientious
scruples.
When the convention met at Phila-
.delphia to frame the constitution Of
! the United States, the delegates from
Maryland ana Virginia plead for the
abolition O: the slave trade, but every
Northern delegate, except one, voted
| fer its continuance. The South makes
history but Northern men write his
tory. Small wonder it is, therefore,
that the world has scant respect for
our section. 1t never FneW the South
and Southern slavery. More's the
pity. Mr.. Lincoln said i he issued
the emancipation proclamation the
slaves would probably murder the wo-
men and children If his expectations
had been realized he would have out
heroded Herod. But it so turned out
that most Of these innocents survived
him. If he had understood the South
ern people and the slaves that no
ii n would not have found lodgment
in his brain.
In mis- native home the African was
low down in the scale Of existence.
With him. the family tie is not strong
now-originally it was very weak.
Bringing him to our shores, and in
contact with civilization and Chris
tianity was a blessing to him. The
slave loved his master and his mas
ter's family. This is a mystery to
some. Does Uncle Toms Cabin at
tempt its solution? Does history fur
nish a parallel?
His fidelity to his master during
the war is the slaves enduring monu-
ment and if the South is true to her
self unborn generations will know of
this sturdy trait His moral lapses
during the last half century have been
many-a part of which lies at the door
OF his friends up yonder and renegade
Scutherners-can not dim his splen-
did record during the war nor rob him
of his just claim to lasting rememA
brance.
Slavery mas passed and the South
has no regrets but a feeling OF sad
ness comes over one who came in con-
tact with it when he reflects that tie
kindly feeling that existed between
the races during slavery has gone
never to return.
In a memorial address a few years
ago Bishop Keileg, Of Savannah, said:
Il have never faltered in my devo-
ton to the cid South" The writer
endorses that sentiment witnal re-
joicing at the passing Of sectionalism.
never use the phrase new South. 1t
might prove to be another trojan
horse. Old South.