Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1875 — The Situation South. [ARTICLE]

The Situation South.

The condition of the South to-day is the result of a sectional policy, as ill-judged, as it is ruinous, socially, politically and financially. Until the close of the late war, the territory-lying South es Mason and Dixon’s line, and particularly that portion known as the cotton States, was without commerce, mines or manufactures deserving mention. The chief pursuit was agriculture and as in all countries in all ages of the world, agriculture begot aristocracy. The learned professions held the place second in importance to the great land apd slave owners, merchants and traders were below professional men, and mechanics and artisans were barely above the social or political level of the slaves. But one feeling was common to all classes, that of intense sectional pride which thought their men the bravest, their women the fairest, their statesmen the most profound, their scholars Che most erudite, their lands the most fertile and their skies the bluest in all the world. It was an intensification of ; this feeling that plunged the Southern States into a fratricidal war. And fear years of sickness and wounds, and death and devastation foiled Co eradicate the vain glorious feeling. .At the close of the war in April, 1866,- which uprooted slavery and overturned the most cherished institutions of that section, whites and blacks were alike left dependent on their own individual exertions. Under these condition! it is not to be wondered at that the White people were bewildered and helpless and they may be excused for very many errors committed. But the main and inexcusable error which must be apparent to .every one, was the manifestation of hostility to all Northern men who evinced a diposition to settle in the Southern States and introduce into them the institutions under which they had lived and prospered. A different policy would have Riled the Southern States with .an intelligent body of men, whose influence by this time would have permeated every branch of society and produced astonishing results. Industrious and enterprising, they would have made the desolate places blossom like the rose, while their example would have been felt alike upon the white and black citizens, and inspired industry and energy ia Ml. In the deeadc which has passed sines the war terminated, under an enlightened policy which welcomed the honest and industrious of all classes and climes, the Bouth would by this time have gained a new population of a million of men, who, seeking new homes would have iafbssd neat life into the body politic, and dispensed blessings on every side.

This is still the true policy of the South, and the sooner it is adopted the better,— Here is a practical solution of the political and financial troubles of the Booth. Prosperity can come only with peace, and peace is impossible iu a country which incites such massacres as those of Coushatta aad Vicksburg, or such revolutions as thoSe of Arkansas and New Orleans.