The Van Buren press., 1866-11-16
Political Apathy in the South.

The following article, from the Richmond
Va Times, meets our sentiments exactly. Let
politics alone. Plant cotton, corn. wheat pc-
ta,oes, or do any thing else that Is honorable
let tlc, North sqaabble and tight over the cleo
tions TO their destruction. II the iogai part
Of the country can stand up under this con-
| tinucd excitement. the South certainly can
do so. Let us mind our own business and
give our special attention to the cultivation
OF the soil;
The profound apathy in politics which pre-
walls at the South, SO far from pleasing some
ofthe Northern Journals, seems to he giving
roar. snort, below, curse and swear just as
they do: and because we pursue dlgnlicd
course and mind our own business they are OF
the opinion that "it Is most unfortunate
thing that 80 vast body OF the American
people should settle down In indifference upon
! the vital political matters of the day." And
yet, il We were to be the noisy politicians
which they pretend TO desire us they would
make that ground Of complaint and point
at us as a set Of -lOud mouthed, pestilent
traitors" who were about 10 pull down the
Government about their ears.
1t Is very true that we have good deal to
excite us. but with commendablc iorbcarance
we are minding our own business. We con-
slider this very Objectionable world. but rs
We do not think We can surpass OmnipoteIce
II we were to aid in pulling 1t to pieces for the
purpose of putting up another, We are not dis
posed to unite with our Northern neighbors
la trying such AN experiment We wish to be
as far as possible from the explosion of that
magazine which Radical agitation is prepar-
ing. We shrink from none of the response
,t..h In, hnf
we feel ourselves fully justified in wishing to
have no participation in the general. social,
political and financial smash up which the
mad-dog politicians Of the North seem to be
So diligently seeking to consummate.
! When we receive Northern exchanges cX-
pressing surprise that We are calm and un-
disturbed, while every "lOyal State boils like
a cl,auldron, we feel amused. What are We
to be stirred up about!
| Our misfOrtunes have made us eminently
utilitarian, and as we fail to see how We are
to profit by politics, we have ceased to be poll
ticians. As we are not admitted in Congress.
and get none OF the Federal offices we have no
incentive to that deep and dangerous interest
which seems to be taken in the affairs Of this
nation north of the Potomac. We are reconcil-
cd our seclusion from participation in the Gov
ernmcnt by the reflection that we will have
none of the odium to bear, which will Justly
attach to those. who in their insane rage are
courting conflict with the land and naval
forces of the United States. Our experience
which has been a sad and costly one, inclines
us to peace.
We have never found that political squab-
bling did us any good, and We wish now tC
set our so-called ''brethren" model Of pro-
pr!ety, under difficulties which they would dc
well to initiate. If the people Of the Mort!
choose to butt their brains out against on,
another. we hope that 1t will be necessary fol
neither side to call upon us for help.
We wish it distinctly understood that We
want, as old General ZACHARY TAYLOR said
to be at peace with all the world and the res
OF mankind" And we hope that our quie
demeanor and contented disposition will Civ,
our contemporaries, who seem to take such al
abiding interest In us. no further trouble. |
they desire to secure our assistance in crush
ing the President, and In causing Congress t,
absorb all the powers Of the Government leg
slativc. executive and judicial, we beg to b.
excused. We got into war for not helpin!
Mr.. LINCOLN against South Carolina, ant
have found it unpleasant to be opposed d
Presidents of the United States Our "breth
ren" -! change SO fast MyfGP,6alW2t kfs0cBGS wit
President, they make shining virtue unde
ANDREW JOHNSON. We do not care abou
politics, but we stand by the President.