Year: 1875

Editorial Correspondence OF State Register.


MEMPHIS, March l, 1S75.-Hayins


nearly accomplished our trip through


the late Confederate States our read


ers may desire to know our views o


the situation Of the South socially
and politically. The harmony of the
two races is not as cordial nor is oul
hope Of peaceful future as san.
guine as it was previous to our visit


We should not, however, had we
fully considered the antagonis,ic ele.
ments of the two races, anticipated
any better state Of affairs than now
exists. There are many intelligent
and educated colored citizens in the
South who are conscien,iously doing
al they can to direct their race in
wisdom and prudence in their social
Intercourse, and in discharging then
new duties Of voters and legislators
and in performing the functions oi
the various Offices which they are
called to gil. Having been purpose
ly kept in ignorance and servitude
for long generations, and having
been taught bv their masters that
they were not capable Of self-govern-
ment, nor it associates for ladies and
gentlemen, it is gratifying to witness
the prudence with which they have
assumed charge of affairs in many
places, And it is gratifying to wit
ness the advancement they are
making, and the honesty and intelli
gence with which they are in some
cases discharging the most important
duties of the offices of the counties,
States. and Nation. No reasonable
man, in view Of their former degrad-
ed condition, and the suddennesS
with which they now have to assume
the duties which require the wisdom
of the most experienced statesmen,
will be disappointed if there are
failures and many missteps. 1t is
unreasonable and uncharitable to
condemn them for mistakes and eryors
under such unfayorable circum-
stances. If they were perfect in
it should be classed
among the miracles The fortunes
of war, and the revolutions in man.
destiny and condition, have suddenly
imposed these d ties upon them, and
they have right u try these difficult
And no lace or Nation will
ever learn such duties or fully ap-
preciate the responsibilities Of gov
ernment until they have an oppor-
tunity Of bearing its burthens and
learning the practical lessons of ex-
perIence.


In number of cases when eolored
men have been elected TO responsible
and have failed, it is owing
to their too confident natures. Some.
times it has been done by their enc
mics, who wish to defeat them by
proving their incapacity. To this
end, they hypocritically ingratiate
themselves by pretended kindness,
and advise them to their ruin; or
they seek positions uader them as
clerks or assistants, and thus are en-
abled to make false entries and pilfer
the funds. Then their confederates
in these schemes say, Il told you the
negro was incapable and too dishon-
est to vote and hold Office" In
other places, renegades from the
North, whom no one should trust,
and who arc found in all communities,
take active steps in the canvass for
certain colored candidates, that they
may be able to get power and plum
der from the officer when he is elect
ed. In this respect the colored office
holder is placed under peculiarly try
ing circumstances. One class is un-
him on one side, while he
is plundered on the other. There is
: gulf on either hand. False and
corrupt friends environ him. No
in history is = parallel for
the trials and tribulations which be-
set this race now struggling for their
rights. Is it right?


Why not? We have seen nothing
TO convince Us that they should not
have the elective franchise aud be
permitted to enjoy all the privileges
granted under the civil. rights bill.
Our government is founded on the
great principle Of inalienable rights,
and no matter how CALLING it may he
to the minority, though they be q
more intelligent and higher type Of
humanity, it cannot change the eter-
nal principles of justice that the ma
jority should rule. Muscles are just
As important to the prosperity and
of this country as brains,
and our laws so recognize the fac, by
providing that no qualification Of in
telligence shall be required to con-
stitute . citizen. The penalty Of
being ruled over by the negro is
fully equal to the enormity of the
crime Of rebellion, aud to the proud
Southern it is to the fullest extent
the extreme Of torture and degrade
tion. That they continue to live
there and endure it, is more than
some Northern citizens we wot OF
would do. But they will have to en-
dure it, for it is justice, and there is
no way within the compass of human
reason by which any other system or
plan of government can be instituted,
which will render as exact justice to
all parties.


We put the question squarely to
many grumbling, discontented and
restless ex-rebels, "by what plan they
proposed to harmonize the Southern
States, and at the same time render
impartial justice to all parties" IL


most cases, where they did not look
to the entire extinction of the colored
race, colonization was proposed. But
hosc and achere were as difficult as


the FIRST problem. We concurred


with them that colonization would be


sffectual if thorough enough. But


% the African race was located in


the South without their consent, and


a. they are now satisfied with theil


Southern home, and rs the whites


are dissatisfied, the latter should o


right be colonized. We therefor.


took UP the refrain of the erratit


Greeley and recommended them t.


Ego west" We cannot, nor do VT


desire to shut our eyes to the fac