The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-11-27
THE SOUTH.
Popular Feeling Since the Late Elec-
IiOns.

THE SOUTH.
Popular Feeling Since the Late Elec-
IiOns.
[Colun bus, ga, } Correspondence n. Y Times
Since the election it has been darkly
hinted by one or two parrish journals
that the Democracy of the South would
use their victory to the detriment of the
black men living in their midst. In
Alabama a few disappointed Radical
LADDERS are doing everything possible to
alarm the negros. At a recent mesting
in Montgomery they were counseled to
leave the State in a body. If they did
so it was stated that farm lands would
sell for ten cents an acre. If they re-
mained, they were assured they would
be deprived of all the political rights
which they now possessed. The majori--
ty of the colored people are too sensible
to be deceived by these and similar ad-
dresses; but few are really alarmed,
and some scores of them have crossed
the line and taken up temporary resi-
dence in Georgia. In the meantime the
white people are doing everything in
their power to convince the negroes that
they are their friends and do not intend
to harm them in any way. To this end
notices like the following are just now
appearing in all the local newspapers:
EDITORS ADvERTIsER:-As there is
great anxiety and uneasiness in the
minds of the colored population lest the
success of the Democratic party may af-
feet them seriously by finally putting
them back into slavery, taking away the
right of suffrage, forcing the women and
children into the fields, &C., &c, fears
instilled into their minds by the vile
Radicals during the recent campaign,
would it not be well in the planters re-
siding in the different beats to call a mass
meeting, give barbecue according to
their resources, in order to reassure
them and relieve their minds of the fears
which they now entertain. Assure them
that the Liberal Democracy will not at
tack any right they now possess or seek
to crafty any petty revenge.
Yours respectfully, PLANTER.
In this State, where the colored peo-
pie have long been under Democratic
rule, they seem to have no fear that the
election will affect them in any way.
The white people are exceedingly
moderate in their rejoicing over the
success of their party, they are more
friendly to the negroes than have ever
seen them, and they are just as loyal to
the Union as are the residents of New
York or New England.
THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA TO THE
BLACK MEN.
Gov. Smith of this State, was invited
to address the people of Columbia on
the results of the recent elections. In
the course of a sensible and moderate
address, he said that he rejoiced that
now, for the first time since the war, the
white natives of Georgia were once more
citizens of the United States-once more
political freemen. While, however, he
rejoiced in the liberty of the whites, he
rejoiced also that the black man could
never again be enslaved. Addressing
the negroes particularly, he told them
not to be alarmed at the success of the
Democrats. That party desired only the
peace and prosperity of their country;
were anxious that all men should have
equal rights, and that people of all col
ors and nations should live in harmony
togather. He wanted every negro in
Georgia to have every right and privi-
lege given him by the State Constitution
and by the Constitution of the Union.
So long as he had voice in the govern
ment of affairs they should have those
rights. They were free as any white
man in the land. Negro suffrage might
have been a mistake. He did not think
that ignorant black men were qualified
to take the offices that were so seldom
well filed even by white men of educa-
ton. At the same time they had the
right to vote, and at this late day no
one could deprive them of it. No good
man desired to do so. The negroes in
Georgia should have their rights, but
only good intelligent men should hence
forth be elected to Office. Speaking to
the white men, the Governor told them
that by the help of the men of the
North they had wop great victory, and
that it was now their duty to show to
the world that they could bear success
as we'll as defeat. There should be no
undue scofing at the fallen party, and,
in the words of their State motto, the
people of Georgia should exercise the
advantage given by political victory
with wisdom, Justice, and Modera-
ton" If they did so, harmony would
return to the South, and in all sections
would be felt the old love for the whole
Union. Such speeches as these are do
ing much to revive the spirits of the
despondent people of Georgia, and al
ready they are beginning to talk of es-
tablishing new business enterprises. The
energetic little city of Columbus will
| shortly be connected with the outer
world by two new railroads. Atlanta is
growing with surprising rapidity. Macon
is also doing we'll, and wisely forgetting
old feuds and difficulties, the people
seem disposed to unite in determined
effort to make Georgia peaceful and
prosperous.
Beautify Your Farm.