The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-30

w YORK HERALD, SATU
| The Extraordinary Rsvelutfen In South
ern Sentiment Under the New state Of
Things.
We know not which to admire most, the
wisdom of President Johnson's policy toward
the South, or the frank and sensible conduct Of
the Southern people In accepting the arbita-
| ment of the war.
| In every one Of the late rebellious States
and especially In South Carolina, a. will be
seen on reference to our news columns Of this
morning-there ID the Same candid acquies-
cence in the result, and in the final settlement
Of those political dogmas which underlaid and
were the cause Of the rebellion. The few in
dividual exceptions, and they are very few,
amount to nothing. In every community there
is, and will be while the world lasts, some in
tractable and narrow-minded persons who can
not comprehend the logic Of events. The lead
ing minds of the South, Is well as the mass Of
the people, show themselves to be eminently
practical under the new state Of things.
When such men a. the Hamptons and
Hammonds Of South Carolina frankly
accept the fat Of the war and
readily conform 10 the change the sword has
brought upon them, we can have no doubt or
fear Of the future. We feel that the words Of
confidence which the President, from his good
and honest heart spoke to the South Carolina
delegation some time ago were just and
appropriate. He told them they were . candid
and an honorable people, and he could trust
them. How we'll he understood them may be
seen in the course they are pursuing.
We might refer to the other Southern States
in illustration of these remarks, but we will
advert to South Carolina only because her case
is more to the point This State was the hot
bed of secession. Almost every one Of her citi-
zens was indoctrinated with the heresy, and
she was the leader in the revolt. Her people
had less love for the Union and less sympathy
with their co-citizens Of the Northern States
than any of the Southerners. With them the
State was first and the Union second. Their
State patriotism, If we may use such a term,
was excessive, and their national patriotism
very weak.
See, now, what change has come over
them. One of their eminent men, Mr.. Ham
mond, submitted the following resolutions to
the State Convention sitting at Columbia
Inasmuch fundamental difference Of opinion In
reference TO the character powers and policy Of the gov
eminent of the United States and OF the State
ments which existed in the convention which framed
the constitution and after than three quarters Of
century OF political resulted in bloody and
exhausti ing war; and whereas when people draw the
sword appealing to the last and highest tribunal known
to man. they should abide by its decisions In good faith
M Uvh 10 fInrv lac nnrn
of the South to continue any longer contest In which
they have been twice defeatedonce by political MAORI
South Carolina in convention assembled accept the
results of the war; the principles embraced in the follow
ing resolutions, and will sustain them fully and faithfully
Resolved, That the Union is the FIRST and paramount
consideration Of the American people
Resolved, That sovereignty, unit, absolute and indi-
visible which in all nations must exist somewhere re-
sdes in the American people, and It's authorised repre-
sentative within the limits Of the organic lawthe con-
stituton-is the federal government.
These resolutions have substantially been
adopted by the Convention, and they accord
with the spirit and character Of the proceed
ings in other respects, and we are persuaded
the people will live up to them. What
mighty revolution in people Is this South
Carolina to acknowledge that the sovereignty
of this country lies in the people Of the United
States, and not in the people of the several
States, and that the federal government, and
not each State, is the supreme agent Of this
sovereignty, is, indeed, new thing under the
sun. 1t matters little whether they confess
that the sword or any other argument has
convinced them; 1t is sufficient to know they
are convinced of the fact and submit to it
without equvocation or mental reservation.
Henceforth the people Of South Carolina and
the other Southern States will be truly national
in their views and patriotism.
Three-quarters of century this conflict be-
tween extreme State rights opinions and those
favoring the supremacy Of federal power
has existed. 1t was long and sharp, and even
dangerous at times, in the political arena, but
the Southern contestants were defea ted here.
evoked. Here again they have been most sig
nally beaten, or, as the resolutions express it,
"they have been twice defeated-once by po-
litical majorities and once by the sword"
We believe now the question is settled tor
| ever, and we have no doubt the Southern peo-
| pie regard it so. Not that the local selfgov-
eminent of the States is destroyed; that will
be preserved as the egis of our liberties; upon
that principle all the conservative elements of
the country will rally. The war has indicated
and established the unity of the republic and
the supremacy Of the federal government The
elements of discord and division are removed,
and we start on a new career Of peace and
grandeur which will excite the wonder and
admiration OF the world.
Next to the good sense Of the people and
the power Of an enlightened press we are in
debted to President Johnson for the happy and
| nrnmsinu state of thinrs that now exists His