Although this may have happened to some carpetbaggers, this view is definitely slanted. It is know that many carpetbaggers were actually successful in investing capital into the economy and in exchange experiencing profits. One must imagine that the author was one of the unlucky carpetbaggers who did not in fact make money in the South. The author also argues that the claims that some carpetbaggers were less than honest and used somewhat shady business techniques were all lies created by the rebels to vilify the Northerner's names. Although I cannot dispel this statement I am sure there were many honest carpetbaggers some of whom who may have gotten an unfair reputation. The fact of the matter is that history does not refute the claim, and generally recognizes that carpetbaggers (at least a small number of them) were involved in tales of corruption of pretty significant magnitude. Recognizing that there were very few Southerners who were involved and supported the Republican Party, many carpetbaggers joined the ranks and held position in Southern governments. For this reason the authors explains how the carpetbaggers were confronted with violence, labeled as traitors, lost friends, and were even sometimes murdered. A quote I enjoyed from the article is as follows: "The work they so bravely wrought has been destroyed and the gigantic power for evil is now advancing step by step in its lawless march to victory." An exaggeration but none the less, it's not hard to believe that the rebels would oppose such a government composed of foreigners. The author of the article also tries to dispel the idea that it was the North's mismanagement of Reconstructionist governments that sent rebels over the edge to treat Northerners and Negroes will such disdain and terror. He backs up his statement with a congressional committee report and first-hand accounts of northern businessmen who settled in the South after the war.
