School History of North Carolina : from 1584 to the present time

by John W. Moore

CHAPTER LXIX.

RESUMPTION OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.

A. D. 1872.

In the years that had passed since the close of the war between the States, the people of North Carolina had been continually looking forward to the hour when the State should be fully restored to its old relations with the Federal government. In the consummation of the reconstruction policy, inaugurated and carried out by Congress, this had been partially attained, but, in the provisions of the Constitution adopted in 1868, there were many particulars that were unsuited to the habits of the people, and amendment was eagerly desired in this respect.

2. Political animosities were being softened by the lapse of time, and general prosperity was fast extending to different sections. Towns and villages were being built along the lines of railroads, and cotton and other factories were constantly being added.

3. Just previous to the outbreak of the late war the Masonic Grand Lodge of North Carolina had reared at Oxford a large and costly building, which was called "St. John's College," and was intended for the education of young men. In 1872 this building was devoted, by the fraternity that had erected it, to the education of the orphan children of North Carolina. This noble charity was placed in the care of John H. Mills, who has abundantly justified the wisdom of those who were parties to his being chosen for so responsible a place.

4. This school, which educates so many who would otherwise grow up in ignorance and vice, is aided now by an annual appropriation from the State and another from the Grand Lodge of Masons, but on individual contributions of the charitable it is mainly dependent for its support. Perhaps no other charity ever so much enlisted popular sympathy in North Carolina, and none ever more richly repaid the unselfish contributions of the people.

5. At the period now reached the University had ceased to be attended as a college. Rev. Solomon Pool still remained its President, but the buildings were silent, and the famous seat of learning no longer held its proud position among American institutions. Meanwhile, the denominational colleges were vigorously at work, and were receiving a larger patronage than formerly.

6. Among the female seminaries of the State a new and formidable rival for popular favor arose—Peace Institute, at Raleigh. This institution, like the Orphan Asylum, had originated before the war, but, during the years of strife the building was used as a hospital. It is controlled by the Presbyterians, and under their excellent management it has become one of the best appointed and most popular institutions in all the State.

7. In the nomination and re-election of General Grant as President of the United States in 1873, there were many incidents to show the alteration in Southern sentiment. The white men of the South, as a general thing, voted in that contest for Horace Greeley, of New York. He had been long identified with all the movements that were specially obnoxious to Southern people, and yet, after so many bitter differences in the fifty years past, the old leader of the Abolitionists became the nominee of the Democrats and received their votes for the Presidency.

8. This strange course was said by those who pursued it to be dictated by the desire on their parts to show that they did not harbor resentment toward old enemies, and were not now disaffected toward the Union, but were willing for "the dead past to bury its dead," and well might they pursue such a course. With the close of the war had passed all reason for the existence of another Republic. In the abolition of slavery the States had become uniform in interest, and it was soon patent that it ought to need only a little time to heal the breaches of the war and restore concord to the two great sections of the mighty American Commonwealth.

9. Unfortunately, however, the men who swayed the destinies of the country were more partisans than patriots, and sought to perpetuate the domination of their party more than the restoration of peace and concord.

10. In the sober, second thought of the American people it is to be hoped that patriotism will prevail. That hatred and malevolence can continue indefinitely in the relations of the two grand divisions of the Republic, is as impossible as it would be unwise and wicked. Their destiny is too grand for the people of America to think of marring it by a continuance of strife. Year by year the traces of blood disappear from the face of the land, and more closely grow the bands that make us a free and united people.