[Autobiography of Seventy Years, Vol. 1-2 by George Hoar]@TWC D-Link bookAutobiography of Seventy Years, Vol. 1-2 CHAPTER XVIII 34/46
But beneath all this there were genuine truth and manhood in Hoar that lifted him above the sordid feeling of malignant passion.
He went, then, to that country, and he made a report; and, while there is much in it that saddened my heart, while there is much which I say is unwise and unjust in his observations, there are some things, fellow citizens, which you people of the North should hark to bear in mind, while you are coming to your conclusions with reference to the relations which you intend to sustain to the prostrate people of my section.
Here, fellow citizens, is what Mr. Hoar says in reference to the South: 'We do not overlook the causes which tended to excite deep feeling and discontent in the white population of Louisiana.
(I must read these extracts to you because a people's interest, a people's destiny, hang largely upon the action of the people of New Hampshire and other Northern States.) There has been great maladministration; public funds have been wasted (that means public funds have been embezzled, appropriated by these governments that are sucking the blood, the life blood, from a people already impoverished by four years of calamitous war); public lands have been wasted, public credit impaired.' Now, fellow citizens, that is the testimony of one of the most uncompromising Republicans in this country." Mr.Lamar would not have used, I am sure, the word "bitter" after we came to know each other better.
Perhaps I may be forgiven if I insert here a letter from Mr.Lamar's nephew, just elected a member of Congress from the State of Florida. I know I must attribute the eulogy which it contains to his kindness of heart, and desire to meet more than half way my own cordial feeling toward the portion of my countrymen to whom he belongs.
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