New-York tribune., 1870-08-13
POLITICAL.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE SOUTH.
Address OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AL AnppuAu


ent. He commenced by saying the meeting called
by the Southern Republican Association OF washinRton
composed OF citizens Of that section soournng hero
whose object 10 show sympathy and give aid 70
their political friends az home. He could not rs
fuse 10 extend encouragement 10 men engages
in such cause. The contest commenced in
lsco and having ended, so far az arms were
OF the Southern states began. Two leading prominent
doctrines proposed by Congress First the national
ty Of the American people represented In the Govern
ment at Washington and not at the respective State
capitals second that OF me United states
should stand equal before the lay IN heir p0nGa rights
without regard 10 use an established and settled famb
lar phrase to race GolSr or Preyons G G2ndin2R m on o E
these doctrines were unacceptable being at variance
with their preudices and political creed, and. falling IN
the halls OF legislation they staked the decision on the
field Of war, aud are bound to accept the result
Mr.. Akerman then analyzed the various elements of
those which enter into the Democratic organizato-ths
movement He could not agree to the proposition a.
made by gentlemen, that the time had arrived for
iete in one part of the country was living In another
He wished the proper representation OF our Amsricaa
establishment and confirmation Of equal rights to sn
except far they might forfeit them by their
against heae doctrines and endea9or bring oonempt
those who believe in the doctrines must we stand
To them tnergeticaly and never let them 60 Ihsy
had heard ~ the " dead buryng their dead' viii tbs
SSSpo.sd ~ lie dsa2i IF But do not bury the living a. 4
they were Head for to be buried alive to be
'bo.s most wha eGps nppsar 'e s leaders l the Demo-
cracy Northern States substantially concede thse
those i2s established not so with the Den0crsto
political leaders in the southern states with Few exoep
tions they have declared they Will never submit " any
other construction Of the Constitution OF the United
States than that put upon 1t by the state Rights s1vo
Gates and not as construed 9y nslsHs,s s
by the swords OF Grant and sherman. Mr.. Akerman
alluded TO the views of Alexander IL stephens, az Gun,
bodied in HE book which was in general clrculauOh IN
the Southern States, the object OF Whlch pu0ncaton was
show that secession was right and that recohSruo"o
The speaker said there was such thing political
superanuatlon aud IN tns hat ~ ceDtraIism is
imperialism" in order TO show its absurdy IN ths see
Intended remarking that the Government at the Centes
ought TO be strong enough TO sustvin lsef against gu
foes foreign and domestic Government not s.,ron5
enough for such purposes IL deserving OF the coDten
of manknk He did not expect miraculous cOhVefsonsi
men do not readily yield their opinions Ihese can oe
precept Bring them 10 the test Of reason and see
whether they are right bring them 10 iho triaDs
r @ n tbe issue that il slavery went the former
sIve a. wonld be on an equality with his master Now
that the people have decided the question Wnt becomes
OF their honor II they do not apde tie ih@ nesni.' suit
He then alluded to the predictions made by those men
The people were reminded Of the horrors OF Oh san
Slaves were Transmitted to reemen they held ther breath
aud bolted their doors more caretnly ana ra1rhea %
their firearms TO see whether they "es IN Oruer lnsy
expected be alarmed by the torch OF the ncendaTy or
the knife Of the assassin Bs Tne e dwspo Of tie
people safe as ever and their persons a. sece
would be an insurrection, but 1t never came Tney
nero and make living with him lntolerabie In
1855 Congress conferred civil rights on the negro
right TO hold Office, which, in advance, were
denounced tending TO ruin. The rivers run TO tho
women and children go about without danger so far
as that class is concerned the men VINO 40
sow their seed 80 long a. ' bn.e nso hS 1hs
ground of SSdt9e t the he .ever He would say a
with the exception Of few outrages OF an unusual
fay
of the people live in greater comfort, ana are IN
1t had been said harsh government is trampng down
the people, He had seen the people in the towns and
crate conviction that enjoy greater comfort than
the people of Georgia and every was signs Of in.
in the way Of this repnble first, they
preudce second, large majority OF the wealth and po-
tical press of the South is against them; and third
arms against the doctrines Republicans oppose. It
hard for soldier to give dDt up the ouaG R S Ss5 te no
could all rise above the feeling .af and say ..on Is
% ana e2tesd Rer na1a mpas from the Gulf the
Lakes, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Mr. Aker.
to their their errors, he repelled sanders 70
which they had been subjected. Among other
things he remarked that the present Constitution OF
s e IN 5 AND %a @ 1t ad Of
groes and carpet6ageers' The usual attendance %
Natives Of Georgia. g We're natives Of other southern
states making ~. OF the remainder "a born in
teen were residents OF the Southern States prior TO tho
war. And there were only about dozen OF what are
called "carpetbaggers" in that body. The public had
been told much about this Government in Georgia. II
there has been msgoyernment 1t does not virtually ap
feet the prosperity OF the people In some OF the Southern
States the legislative bodies have too far in PROF
yding for the future before providing for the present.
alluded to the fact that, while the Republicans were
blamed for patroniZng the sOcalled carpet baggers
the Democrats had done the same thing when II suited
their interests He suspected the Democrats Objected
10 what in the carpetbag than to the carpet
MI Ackerman cyncuded by defending the Republicans
of the south from the charge OF political incapacty, re
ferring particularly To the legislation OF the Confederate
Congress which wrecked the OF the Rebellion, and
in that Congress assuming 10 represent states On
the territory OF which they not allowed to tread
being in possession OF Union troops.
Mr.. Ackerman was frequently interrupted by applause
ATToRNEY-GENERAL AKERMAN on THE GEORGIA
MIDDLE.
The Washington Republican publishes letter
addressed by Attorney General Akerman to prominent
Republicans of Georgia the question Of the proongs
ten of the terms the members of the Legislature On
the snpposton that the Legislature decide tho
question, he addressed this letter in the hope that
would be received from OF the citizens OF that
State most anxious TO have its political status settled
this year. even though it should fall the hands Of
Democracy. As he expresses it, "We may better loss
the State than keep IL wrongfully."
After presenting the with great force and clear
ness and at much length, Mr.. Akerman in conclusion
says
For these reasons think that election should b
held this year. The Legislature has control under the
Constitution OF the particular time OF the election pro
yded shall not be long deferred As 10 extend the
terms beyond the constitutional period. see 40 grave
objection Ia pOstponement of the election until abont
the 10Th OF December. BY that time organization could
be complete Legislation II any be necessary 10 secure
fairness in the elections could be perfected prepars
ton could be made for enforcing IT, There would be
time too after the Of the next session OF
Congress- for that body TO prohibit the election II rs