The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-09-19
SPEAKER COLFAX IN THE ROLE OF THE
DEMAGOGUE AT HOME

The Speaker of the House Of Represen.
tatves began flaming political haraague
at Indianapolis, few days since, by draw.
ing rhetorical comparison between Bene-
dict Arncd and the late leaders Of the
South. II is lnournful indeed to see 50
prominent and usually SO fair-minded a
maa guilty Of such clap-trap. Fur, if the
comparison has the slightest foundation,
Mr.. colfax pronounced his own sentence of
condemnation. tie sat with these men in
the councils Of the nation. He knew their
feelings and their purposes. He heard
them ayowed, both before and at the time
of their retirement. He never branded
them as traitors, nor demanded their ar.
rest. And now, when they visit Washing
nston. he extends 20 them the hand Of
welcome, and kindly inquiries after their
health. Would he thus greet Benedict
Arnold? How dare he be so cordial to
nen who belonged to a Z" banditti of men,
slealers :" But we allude 10 this unfortu.
nate speech not for the purpose Of arraiga
ns the Speaker, who has thus lowered him
sell TO the level Of vulgar demagogue, bat
10 cali the attention of those Of our coun-
trymea who are likely to be misled by
names and epithets. to some vital distinc-
tons between the infamous crime of Arnold
and the wrong and blunder of the men OF
the South
Alnold's crime was planned in darkness.
lie kept his purpose hidden fr"m all save
the British commander. 1t was the skulk-
Ing betrayal Of friends with whom he had
fought, and who had put him forward, into
The hands Of those who were seeking their
lives. IL was not simply their abandon
ment. which would have been contempti-
bic, bat an effort TO pu, them at the mercy
of hostile foe. Ii was prompted By mor-
I tilted pride aud by resentment at the fai-
lure OF the Continental Congress to furnish
him with means his extravagance. On
the contrary, the men Of the South did their
work openly aud ayowed their sentiments.
They announced their purpose in advance.
We were incredulUus and we did not be-
lieye them, aud when they acted the Gov
ernment was paralyzed. they asserted by
deed the political doctrines which they had
proclaimed from the fOurda,ion Of the Gov.
ernment. They undertook TO exercise tor
themselves the rights Of sovereignty, which
they always denied having laid aside; there
was no base betrayal into the tolls of
third party. Ii was IN open challenge. and
a bold defiance Of former friends. They
were no, guilty Of perjury, for they had
sworn 10 support the Constitution as they
understood il, and they held to the State.
rights construction, which subordinated the
Federal TO the state government. The,
expected no such tragedy as has darkened
the land, for they had every reason to be
lieye that secession.w be pcaceably AZ.
compished. They made fearful blunller
but they have also made a terrible expia
ton. But, whatever they are, they art
neither dark c0nspirators nor iorsworn per
jmrers, nor treacherous friends, nor con
scious traitors all these, and more, Bene
dict Arnnld vas. Il is an insult to the
common sense Of an audience Tor speake
to undertake any such comparison. Ii is
terrible confusion of moral judgment, an,
shows either sad want of thought, or
base playing upon The passions 81 the pupu
lace utterly unworthy of the American
tat sman.
Il is grossly unjust to be heaping uI
crimes upon The men Of the South OF whicl
they never dreamed themselves guilty
The worse we make them out the more dit
iruIt becomes the problem OF reconstruc
tion. The ordinary Northern idea abou
the criminali,y Of the South would. il ac
crpt.d there, work moral degradation il
the character of the people from which tn
nation would not recover Tor forty centu
ries. Il is bad enough 10 be beaten 10
contest, but 10 be made 10 confess ones sci
a periuler or traitor would be TO under
mine the foundation Of our manhood an,
self-respect. and we ought TO tolerate n
man who would impose the humiliatinI
task upon the South. MOI iaitiEgsaeef.