The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-19
The fscsrsb,e seuthsru Fire-Esters and
Their Folly.


easier cured than the impracticable theories
and heresies Of an old Southern politician Of
the secession school. To use an often re-
peated but perfectly applicable smile, they
are like the old Bourbons-they never forget
or learn anything. We have had several
striking examples Of this lately.
Wade Hampton delivered a speech in South
the same in tone and sentiment as those
uttered just previous to the war. He still holds
to the right of secession and makes martyrs
of those who plunged the country into the
most terrible civil war on record. We might
not notice these exploded fallacies il the evil
results Of holding them did not extend beyond
Mr. Hampton. But he Is prominent man
and his language Is calculated to do q great
deal of mischief to the South. 1t will tend to
keep alive sectional hatred, to inculcate
erroneous views among the Southern people
as to their condition and rights, to irritate the
North and to give the radicals powerful
argument to refuse them political restoration.
Wade Hampton and those like him are prsc-
tically the worst enemies OF the South.
Another Of this old State rights secession
school, Mr.. Humphreys, the Governor of Mis-.
sissippi, in message to the Legislature takes
very decided ground against the North with
regard to the constitutional amendment He
tells the Legislature that he presumes the
mere reading of that amendment will be
sufficient to cause its rejection. This attempt
to fOrestall and influence the action Of that
body deserves the severest condemnation. 1t
Is wicked attempt TO array the people Of
Mississippi against the sentiment Of the North
against those who have absolute power over
the destiny Of the South. Such conduct is
reckless and suicidal in the extreme.
The same foolish and destructive course Is
pursued by other prominent Soutberners of
that class and by the remains of the stupid
fire-eating press. We see the old leaven at
work in the Richmond papers and now and
then in those of Nashville and Memphis, Ten
nessee; Of New Orleans, Mobile, and of other Sec
tons Of the South. South Carolina, which was
The most extreme secession State, is now more
moderate than any Of the others, notwithstand-
ing the indammat0ry barangues OF a few such
men as Wade Hampton.
These old politicians and editors seem to for
get that there has been tremendous reyolu-
ton and that they are a conquered people,
entirely at the mercy Of their conquerors. Hair
splitting bubbles and arguments about politi-
cal rights are all out Of place. The right of
the strongest is the only right that governs in
their case. Nomiually they are in the Union,
but practically Congress has excluded them
nom bcing united politically with the NORTH
and 1t has the power to exclude them indef-
nitely II the people sustain its action. II is no
use TO appeal to the constitution, to the law,
70 the terms Of surrender, to the psrdoniuR
power Of the President, to their reconstruction
under the action Of Me Executive or to any
thing else against this fact. They cannot be
fully restored till Congress thinks proper to
restore them. Why, then, resist? Why destroy
themselves by . hopeless conflict with body
that has their destiny in lis handsi
There was but one other power left to which
they could appeal on the question Of imme-
date restoration without further conditions or
restoration with the conditions Of Congress, and
that was tho people Of the North. The appeal
has been made, and tho elections show beyond
al doubt that public sentiment has decided
thai they can only come back 10 their original
political status through one condition, the con-
situtional amendment, o. laid down by Con-
gress. That Is the sum aud end OF the whole
argument.
But some may say, let US waltz there may
he change Of public opinion, and q Con-
gress may be elected moro favorable to us.
This Is very dangerous ground to stand upon.
The longer they are kept ont the more chronic
their case becomes and the more difficult
10 treat. The politicians Of the North, or even
tho people. might find out that they could
govern and keep the South in subsection and
hold all the political power Of the republic
| without admitting that section at all or for q
long time 10 como. We do not think that tlis
or any future Congress Is likely 10 offer the
Southcrners more favorable terms than are now
offered In the constitutional amendment, and
the chances are that if these be rejected more
disagreeable ones will be required.
Certain shortsigbted and impracticsble men
soy, "Well, let us remain out IL we cannot get
In without accepting these conditions" What,
we ask, will you sacrifice your interests, keep
yourselves In state Of political slavery, and
perhaps ruin your magnificent country
through false pride and holding TO IN untena-
BILE theory Of right which does not practically
existi We cannot believe the mas Of the
Southern people will take such ruinous posi-
ton. They had better throw overheard the
Jonahs-ther old political leaders, who have
done them 50 much mischief slready. and save
themselves and their country.
| This ID the question of the time for the
South. II We mistake not IL is going 10 create
great agitation and new psr,ics there The
old leaders OF the seccsaion sta nm a,,ch mn