The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-11-27
Words of Cheer from the South.

At many of the celebrations in the
South over the recent Democratic
victories, resolutions pledging the
Southern people to an earnest sup
port of the Union IN the future,
were endorsed, which is certainly
cheering intelligence to the we'll
wisher OF his country; and the more
SO, because these pledges seem to
have been uttered in all sincerity,
and with no other prompting, ap-
parently, save that which would
move the same number of persons
assembled for a similar purpose in
the North-a genuine love for the
great Union, and natural solicita-
ton for its prosperity and perpetu-
alton. But, under all the circum-
stances, perhaps, these utterances
are more than we had reason to ex-
pect from those people at this time.
That the great mass of the citizens
of the South were once bitterly op-
posed to the Union, is amply evi-
denced by the stupendous effort
which they made to overthrow 1t;
and since they were conquered in
the field, their treatment, in SO far
as it related to their political affairs,
has not been such as to lead us to
believe that through it their affec-
ton for the Government had been
revivifed. Still we find them now,
when the very party to which they
were naturally allied has triumph
antly carried the elections through
out the country, by overwhelming
Notwithstanding thanks for the
success of that party, and express
ing a desire that its chosen represen-
tatives may not disappoint the peo-
pie, and pledging themselves to the
support of the Union.
Not only have they thus in mass
meeting in many different places,
made public their change of heart
in this important respect, but at the
same time they have taken pains to
assure the negroes--who naturally
enough became greatly alamed at
their success-that this victory
means no harm to them; no depri-
vation of their elective rights, or a
return to bondage, as had been said
by their opponents it would mean.
The very fact that these expressions
are made public at such a time, is
is evidence of their sincerity
They warrant us in believing that
the sentiment which they embody
is wide spread among the people
of the South, and that it will 60
far towards bringing about proper
appreciation of the necessity OF
maintaining and strengthening the
Government, as the surest and
most acceptable means of preser-
wing among US intact that liberty
which we all SO highly prize.
While there are hot-heads, i'm
practicables, pernicious demagogueS
and influential fools in greater OIL
less number in all sections of the
country, it is reasonable to presume
that the Southern States have then
proportion of them; and that they
will furnish by their expressions and
actions occasion for much adverse
comment by the more radical pol
iticians and party press of "the 9th
er side," can scarcely he doubted
But the aggregate voting popula
ton of the country are neither
fools, lunaties, nor scoundrels, bu1
men of unpretentious common sense
and average honesty; not over much
given to dialectics, but ready enough
and clear enough too in apprehen
ding the right, and a very stubborn
purpose to do it, too, without re
gard to the wishes or counsels, o.
hopes, or fears, or schemes, or sneak
cry of place hunters and profess
ional plunderers. Let those alarm
lists possess their souls in peace
the people may be trusted.