Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-02-14
ALEX ANDRIA, VA.
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY IA, 1878.

The NEW ADMINISTRATORS last " ca
uesday the formal and official announcement OF
the result of the election of November last, was
made. 1t signifies the complete establishment
and continuance in power, for the next four
wears, of the party that for many years has ad.
ministered the affairs of government. While
the past experience of its justice and charity
towards the South raises no sangune hopes,
the circumstances of this new lease Of power
are such as, at least promise that it may be
exercised with more liberal hand. 1t sound
Judgment shall control the incoming admins
tratiou, it will evidently perceive, at this time,
the propriety of exercising magnanlnlty to-
wards the South which has heretofore been
withheld. The overwhelming majority IN the
Presidential election, which was so unexpected
TO the defeated at the time, coming upon the
heel of their boasted strength, may yet work
out far better result thanit was ever imagined
could arise from so signal defeat. The con-
frmed strength of the administration ought to
invest it very naturally with feeling Of gen
erous forgiveness, which position less firmly
established could not afford; but when men feel
secure in position, they may often strengthen
their hold by an exercise Of such leuieDcy to-
wards those who opposed them, as to claim at
their hands an admiration which will not with
hold material aid, as tribute justly due to the
Kindness they have received. Parties arc gov
erned by the same principles that control in
dividuals On the other hand the South, strip
ped of her wonted power, but with the prestige
of her glory to console her; chastened with the
the rod and scourge of affection, but her honor
intact, may humbly receive, at the hands Of gen.
crosby, that which at one time she would have
proudly demanded at the hands of right and
Justice. The people of the South have awaken
ed to true sense Of their condition The
naughty Indifference which, In some instances,
was opposed to friendly advances, though
natural, under no circumstances could be cou-
sidered as wise, and such feelings are fast sue
cumbing to the dictates Of discretion and policy,
and are being supplanted by spirit Of recon
cilliation and kind feeling. The asperities ola
bloody war, on both sides, are wearing off, and
the recolections which will always inspire a
feeling of grati6ed pride no longer hinder that
course of action which is necessary to secure
future prosperity and happiness. The forced
changes in the customs and institutions of the
more accustomed to them, land prejudices which,
at first, held omnipotent sway, are vanishing
before whatever good crops out in the institu-
tons of modern and progressive ideas Certain
~ it is a favorable tide in the condition Of the
country to be taken advantage Of and turned to
the good Of all sections. The dignity of the
whole country rests upon the excellence Of the
different parts; the same pride should excite
all, and the same laws which punish the offend
ing should alike stretch their protecting arms
to shelter the weak and the innocent.
There is PROFESSIONALLY BETTER feeling pre-
vailing towards the South among the friends
of the administration, and greater disposition
manifested to righteously consider its interests
and rights than has heretofore existed, and it
needs only to be encouraged, that it may work
out most desirable results.
The people of the South will fraternize with
the people of the North upon any other ques
ton but politics. They are anxious to do it;
and are there not enough interests common be-
tween them which they Gao tremendously adj
vance together without making political COM
munion prerequisite? Why should political
discord be permitted to infuse its baneful iuAu
euce over every enterprise which the people of
the different sections have common interest
in? 1t can never be beneficial, and is often
fatal to its very vitality.
We believe that the time has come when these
considerations are to control, and that the all
absorbing efforts to develop the strength and
wealth of the whole country will crush out po
litical trickery and demagogism, to which end
it is in the power of the administration to con-
tribute most effectually.