The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-11-11
rms $500 per annans, d, odrance.
How They Take "a Down SOM.

The temper in which the South accepts The
election of Gen. Grant is a matter OF the Ut
most importance, since it settles the question
whether we are to have peace Immediately, or
only compulsory one after the Inauguration
OF Grant. Thus far only Virginia papers have
come to hand. The story they tell is not quite
satisfactory. There is an absence, to be sure,
y, NOSE "Ied-hOt" ebullitions and threats of
''oou, war and havoc, which are to he found
oHiS III lhe Copperhead Journals in latitudes
elther hlSher or lower than VIRGINIA R,t II
is painful to observe in these Virginia r,ro,a
that if there is any expression Of sa,;.f,ot;o,,
hopefulness or content it is predcated ,,o,,,,
the silly notion studiOusly ineuIcated hv
Northern journals, that Grant will play tie
role of johnson. Nothing could be more dis
astrous to the South than such an expectation
except the realization of the unfounded hope.
Sahara would be delightful place for a sum-
mer residence compared with the Sonth, were
it possible that Grant, after the manner of
johnson, should abet its people in continuing
the rebellion. 1t is cruel for the Northern
Coppcrheads to lead their Southern brethren
into further woes in this way, but that thew
are doing so is plain from the following ex-
tracts which either disclose a gloomy apathy
false and delusive hope:
The President was urged, Two years ago, to
take Grant into his counsels, aud thus dictate,
as 1t were, his successor. But the President
wanted still to be President. He did not rec
ognlze the inevitable fate which would COM
pei the hero of the war to be President. But
the Radicals, whose violent usurpations could
only be sustained by the sword, naturally
looked to the General OF the armies, and they
have triumphed, Triumphed? As Toney
Lunlpkin says, that is as thereafter NAV be-"
Their ticket has prevailed, but its chief is not
pledged to Radical measures or princples.-
bow-he will act remains to be seen. If he be-
comes imbued with the noble ambition of re-
storing harmony and prosperity to his country
he may establish for himself bright and en-
during fame that will endure as long as the
country itself shall live.
So says the Richmond Dispatch. The En-
quirer does not draw consolation from the
same source:
Our adversaries dare not vet discard the
forms OF republican government, and by the
proper use of the means we have in our power
we shall still make those forms avail us for
salvation, at least until the whole country Is
caught up in the tide of the Iming revolution,
we shall soon find our metal, our determine
ton and our endurance tested in fercer fire
than ever, unless we do not read Alright the
signs of the times.
The Lynchburg Virginian says:
And what shall we do now? Our advice
would be to disband the Democratic party at
once, for it is pretty efectually killed off; and
organize new conservative party to support
Grant, if his course shall Justify it. In this
way the Radical leaders may be sloughed off
from the Administration, and a great conserv-
atlve party built up that will control the des-
TIMES OF the country. The Whig party went
under in 1852, when it was not worse beaten
than the Democracy was on Tuesday, and had
better odor in the North than its successful
rival has to-day. History is philosophy teach
ing by examples. Let us profit by it, and try
to make amends for the errors of the past three
years. Democracy being dead, lot us bury it
out of sight.
The Norfolk journal sneers at Grant, and
offers no opinion as to the probable course of
the South in the future. The Fredericksburg
Herald thinks the Radicals have caught a
Tartar. The Petersburg Index wants to make
the best of it, and proposes to do so by resist
ing reconstruction to the last gasp. The Rich
mond Whig says: Having no choice but to
submit, even if we were otherwise disposed,
and having in better days been brought by the
discipline of frequent disappointment to the
Indulgence of only the most moderate hopes
in political affairs, it requires no effort TO alb
stain from the expression of unavailing re-
gret."
Was ever such willul people? Anything,
anything they will do but the right thing
They will intrigue, organize Ku-Klux Klans,
believe Northern Copperhead fabrications
about Grant, shoe. political opponents, refuse
to take part in elections or, at the moving of
another evil spirit drive all the loyal voters
from the polls But it is as sure as that Grant Is
the President elect and that the Northern peo.
pie are determined to labor on in the work
they are in, that ultimately they must submit
to the reign of justice and equal rights.