I shall speak of public matters which it is the duty of educated men to consider; and of matters which may hereafter divide parties, but on which we must refuse now to recognize party distinctions.
Reid emphasizes the importance of educated men engaging in public discourse beyond party lines.
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More from Whitelaw Reid
Public sentiment was against the sale of lands to the Yankees; “Get white laborers,” they urged, “and in a year you’ll make enough to be able to hold on to your lands.
We are all washed under, and the most of us only live peaceable lives by the sufferance of our Rebel neighbors.
Extravagant living left nearly every planter enormously in debt when the war came.
Fully believing the debts of their Rebel Government legal and just, they were prepared to repudiate them at a hint from Washington.