Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-10-12
Dr,G of Pubic sentiment.

than ever before took place in
our politics. The politics of the last TWEEN
ty years has turned on clashing between
northern and southern interests, northern
and southern opinions, and finally, as the
fruit OF these, atremendous conflict between
northern and southern courage, resources,
and endurance. Since the accession of the
new President this tide of conflicting pas
sions has been swiftly cbbing.
The evidences of this change are obscrv-
able enough, if we will but consider the sig
nltcancc OF a multitude OF recent circuln-
stances which could not possibly have taken
place six months ago. Let us first note
some Of these circumstances in our own
state, and then cast a hasty glance at the
evidences Of change in broader theatcr.
Has the country vt taken in the full
meaning Of the fact that such men as Gen
eral Slocum, Martin Grover, and Lucius
Robinson, accepted with alacrity the nomi-
nations of the Democratic party? Leading
Republican journals have expressed their
profound astonishment that the Democrat
lc party selected these men as its candidates.
They called it Democratic coup d etdt.
But is it not more astonishing, does it not
more completely battle previous calculations,
that these men were SO ready to acceptp-
They were not soured by disappointment;
they had not forfeited the esteem and conf
dence of their late associates; they were all
holding high and honorable positions con-
ferred upon them by the former opponents
of the Democratic party; and there is not
one of them who might not have secured
the Republican nomination for the Office
for which he is a candidate by rcpudiating
the nomination of the Democratic Conven-
ton. Why have they preferred to run on
the Democratic rather than the Republican
ticket? Whoever will duly consider this
fact will see in it evidence of great change
in public opinion. This evidence derives
much of its force from the fact their former
associates do not seem much shocked at
their preference of the Democratic to the
Republican nominations. Assurcdly great
and rapid change has been going on in the
public mind, when party which has been
so pcrsistently accused and Stunned as
wearing a leprous skin, can select the best
and truest men III the state, acknowledged
to be such by men Of all parties, and find
its nominations honored by prompt accept
ance The same influences which have op.
Grated on the minds of these gentlemen
have been equally powerful with tens OF
thousands of whom they are types. Vo
tiers as well as candidates will be found tC
have suddenly dismissed their recently an
tipathies under the healing influences of Q
new era. 1t would be absurd to suppose
that men so divcrscly situated should hav,
: undergone a change in which the commun
ty does not participate. One of them wa
military commander in a distant southern
state; one was engaged in the quiet dis
charge of high judicial functions; the othc
was in position which brought him int
immediate contact with the world of poll
tics; and all of them, viewing public affair
from stand-pOnts SO different, had come t,
the conclusion that politics founded on sec
tional hatred have had their day.
The criticisms made by the Republican
journals on the Democratic platform, bea
in the same direction. The platform take
no position to which the party was no
bound by its antecedents, and yet the Re
publicans dare not run the hazard of open
ly attacking it, 1t leaves the immcdiat,
restoration of the Southern States to thc
federal privileges; it favors generosity, for
givcness and amnesty; it insists on the sub
ordination of military to the civil authority
it opposes negro suffrage; it declares tn,
right of the restored states to manage the
local affairs; and on no one Of these point
) did the republican Convention dare to max
an opOh irSuC II iS tT'ic tuub WI All liitS
points their platform differs from ours; bu
, they were compelled to mufile and disguis
} their principles under vague and circuitou
phraseOlogy. They burst not repeat tn
savage and virulcnt invectives against th
South with which all their former platform
, have been garnishcd, ever since their part
was christcncd ten years ago
If this great reaction has been rathe
more marked in New York than clscwher,
it is only because the circulation of intell
gence is quicker here than in other parts G
the country. The press of New York an
the executive mansion at Washington ar
| the two principal centres Of political intc
a ligcnce; one popular and the other official
We accordingly find as striking evidence q
the rcactonary movement it WaShingto
+ as in this state. The Presidents, ofcours
n in some degree, influenced by public opir
J. ION but he also does much to form it. Iii
judgment, like that of other men of saga
: city and intelligence, is n good deal control
+ ed by the march of events; and as he is i
# position to be very accurately Informed
. he rather leads than follows public opinion
which keeps pace with him in proportion a
it is enlightened by knowledge of the sam
facts on which his vicwsare formed, Thcr
could be no stronger proof of the change i
', his feelings since he came into the offic
y than tho contrast between the frcquci
II speeches he made during the first fortnigl
and his remarks to the southern delegation
7 about the middle of the last month. |
the former, he scarcely opened his mout
t but to breathe menaces, to give forth dan
J. intimatons Of vengeance against the perp
y traitors of the blackcst of all crimes, that
treason; but in the latter, he pridcs himsc
i on being a southern man, compliments ii
). southern character, soothcs the fears whil
a his former language was calculated to aarl
and points with generous hope to the Fl
, turc, instead of drawing incentives to +
u tribution from the past. This new tone
confidence, this snow spirit of kindness ma
N Tested by him towards the south, shoN
that he, with the country in general, h
4 been floating rapidly on the reactiona
s. tide.
The chief agency in this great reaction
- undoubtedly the admirable and manly bea
e ing the southern people since the close
the war, and the fraukness and promptitul
with which they have accepted its col
,, g sequences. A people who having fought
u CALAMITY, after having staked and lost
much, behave so well in adversely, mu
of possess great inherent nobleness of chara
IN ter. 1t is not surprising that the Preside
recognizes this exhibition Of great quaitie
c. and with instructive, manly sympathy, pu
re licy expresses pride in his southern brit
This noble demeanor of the south insur
w the success of his administration, and W