American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-05-08
A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

political tour through the Southern
States is one of the little events which
mark great changes. Seven years ago i
is safe to say that the Senator's life would
have bee n in danger had he attempted tc
express his views of public affairs tc
audiences in the region in which he is
now travelling. Although a citizen OF
the United States, aud one of the high.
est officers of the Government, such was
the condition of public sentiment that
he could not have safely claimed the most
fundamental right of every man in free
government. As we look back upon
those days the wonder is not that there
has been SO fierce and long war, but
that every body did not perceive that a
tremendous war was inevitable. When
slavery struck at the tongue it indistinct>
lively aimed at the strongest weapon of
liberty. For there is no chain SO strong
that the tongue can not melt it; no abuse so
reverend that the tongue can not right it.
Perfect liberty of speech is the cardinal
security of free institutions; and every
man who heartily believes in them echoes
JeiTerson's doctrine, that no error is to be
feared so long as truth is left perfectly
free to combat it.
Senator Wilson is especially fitted to
secure the purpose of his visit. A plain
man of the people, Of profound political
and moral convictions, he instinctively
appeals to the popular heart and sympa-
thy. His reasoning is simple, his state.
ments are lucid, and his tact admirable
Then he has the wisdom of long political
experience. He understands the neces-
sity of parties and how to organize and
WELD them. In word, he knows hu>
man nature. The fact of his going first
among the conspicuous Republican lead
ers shows his sasacity. He knows that
all the advantages of party organization
at the South lie with his opponents. He
knows how skillful the Southern leaders
are, and that they will not fail to turn
every thing to account i'll order to obtain
the control of the new vote in their States
lie has read, the speeches of Wade
Hampton, Herschel V. johnson, Cover
nor Orr, and the rest, and he sees in them
all harmony of tone which is very sug-
gestive. He knows that the new voters
will hear nothing from such speakers
which is favorable or even just to the
party which controls Congress and the
country. 1t will be represented to them
as designing, avaricious, and unjust. The
orators will appeal to the love of home
and birthplace to familiar associations; !;
to community of interest. With an
adroitness inconceivabe in any but the
most accomplished of politicians, they
will say with Herschel Y. johnson at
Augusta, At any rate give to the race
against whom it is sought to array you
fair trial" Can we believe that this is a
Southern master speaking to the slaves of
yesterday?
This is all in accordance with the the
ory of President johnson and many 9th,
ers, that the new vote will be entirely
controlled by The late masters. But Sen
ator Wilson knows that very few words
will state the case as it really is, yet that
unless those words are spoken every
where and often the voters will be griev~
ously misled. There are two parties in
the county, he will tell them, and which
of them is your friend2 Is it the one
which has always striven forequal rights,
or that which has denied them? Is it
the one which clung to slavery, and made
war to extend and perpetuate it, CT that
which condemned slavery, and by the
war abolished it Now that the war is
over and slavery gone, who are your wisest
political allies? Those who enfranchised
you, or those who acquiesce in your en-
ffanchisement because they can not help
themselves "Governor Johnson" Mr..
Wilson might say to the new voters in
Augusta, Casks you to try him and his
friends. Have you not already tried
them? IF Governor johnson could have
had his way, would you have had politi-
cal, or even civil, rights? If the United
States forces were removed, and the State
were left TO organize herself, would he and
his friends recognize your equality as
citizens? He and his friends have hith
erto always had the power to emancipate
you. Did you ever hear of their propos'
ing to do it? On the other hand, when
there was a iemote possibility that your
late descendants might somehow legally
recover their lost manhood, what did Mr.
johnson and his friends? They tried tC
destroy that possibility by destroying the
Government. They have misused theil
political power in the past what Sc
curity do they give you shat they
will not abuse it In the future? 'Yol