It is
impossible to prevent this, so long as human nature retains its present
tendency to selfishness and violence. The only alternative is to await
the soothing operation of time, which gradually softens the asperities
of prejudice, and may be expected ultimately to bring the noblest
harmony out of the present confusion and disorder.
Many good and humane men apprehend the most serious evils from the
sudden change of relations, now certain to be effected, between the two
races in the South. It will be a rude and violent shock to the interests
and feelings of the whites, and will undoubtedly produce that
inconvenience which always results from great social transformations.
But the anticipation is doubtless worse than the reality will prove to
be. There is a plastic capacity in human nature which enables it readily
to adjust itself in new situations when overruling necessity compels
submission. It remains to be seen what will be the results, immediate
and remote, of freedom in a society composed of so nearly equal
proportions of the two races. Whatever may be the mere temporary
difficulties at the outset, we do not doubt that, in the long run,
freedom will produce the best results to both. Nature is unerring in the
wisdom of her general purposes and in the selection of the means by
which she fulfils them, when left free to pursue her own laws. Whatever
oscillations may take place, the mean result is always good.
Pages:
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201