Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-03-31
ALEXANDER Il.

L.. ".. - |
Alta time when trouble as to the proper
mode Of dealing with the South reisns in
Washington, it is cheering to be able to
show in the South itself such an element
of good faith. wisdom and craftsmanship
as the speech Of MI. A. H. Stephens, OF
Georgia, on Washinston's Birthday, ex-
hibits. Whatever doubt there may be as
to others, there can be none as to the sim
cerity and honorable acquiescence In the
results of the war on the part Of this lead
ing statesman. AL may not agree in
every precise word or sentiment he ut
tered; yet could the Congressional repre-
sentatives of the North be brought to be-
lieve the ruling spirit Of the Southern peo-
pie being such us he earnestly counsels'
there ought not to be and would not be-
we are persuaded. any real difficulty as to
the prompt readmission Of the South.
No doubt it will at first strike every
Northern man as strange to find Dir. Ste
phens asserting, 81 think I may venture
safely to say that there was on the part OF
the great mass of the people Of Georgia
and Of the entire South no disloyaiy to the
principles of the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States" But then he explains what
he means. by adding. "to that system OF
representative government Of limited and
delegated power, with the additional prin-
ciple that all political power resides in the
people," This they showed by forming q
Constitution as much like that Of the Uni
ted States as possible, except that it made
slavery the cornerstone Of the attempted
republic. Now, he proposes that, sz ami
mo, all ideas, direct or indirect, OF re-
establishing slavery in any form, should
be given up; that the issues Of the war
should be accepted and abided by in good
faith by the South, and that the South
should earnestly enter upon a system OF
elevation and education for the Southern
blacks. The language in which all this is
spoken il most satisfactory to all wise and
moderate men at the North, and the full
and hearty endorsement Of it by the Geor-
gia Legislature must lead every one to
think that the right kind Of progress is
going on under his lead. His presence in
Congress would promise more for the fu-
.ure unity, peace and concord of u ma
tion, on q fair and equitable basis, than
that of any other nan we know.
There is q wisdom about his review Of
the Revolutionary period Of English his-
tory that is most wise and satisfactory,
showing that wars and civil wars always
menace liberty and seldom advance it,
while they usually end in its entire over.
throw and destruction that progress
in government is the offspring of peace
and enlightened reason. not Of passion
nor of arms" This is the great lesson Of
1888.
His counsel to mutual forbearance and
Christian charity, and not Judging others,
is worthy OF all commentator. His sec.
ond idea, that the South should accept
the issues Of the late war and abide them
in good faith" is worthy Of all eommen
dation. especially as he explains it. II
DEEM" he says, the whole United States
therefore. without question. our country,
to be cherished and defended as such BY
all our hearts and by all u arms" His
language in.regard to races is equally sat-
isfactory. He shows that himself and
ever H. ". Beecher are in singular and
perfect accord Whatever may be said
of the equality of races or their natural
capacity to become equal. who can doubt
that at this time this race Is not equal TO
the Caucasian? This inequality does no,
lessen the moral obligations on the part Of
the superior to the inferior. II rather tn
crea,es them" The greatest good Of all,
without detriment and injury to any. ID
his motto. "Our new system should look
TO the best interests Of all classes, and the
greatest attainable advancement and pro-
gress, physically, intellectually and moral
". All obstacles should be removed tina,
can possibly hinder or re.ard the blacks
to the extent Of their capacity. Aid should
be given to their own efforts. This will
dictate what is right, proper and just"
This is one of the greatest results Of the
war, and might easily form the basis Of q
fair and explicit understanding, s~a,isfac.
tory to all.