Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-17
sENPHTS APPEAL
ruEsDAY HORNMG, NOv. II, SO.
THE SPEAKEBsHTP FOR THE FOR
TY-FOURTH OONGREBs-BON. l. Q.
G. LAMAR.

THE sPEAKEBsHTP FOR THE FOR
TY-FOUKTH OONGRESs-BON. l. Q
c. LAMAR.
The stupend6us civil contest which
appealed to the arbitrsment of the
sword thirteen years ago, may be saiC
TO have closed, for the first time anC
finally, in the recent elections. Fh'
Radicals were anxious to keep alive tho
mad passions horn of war, because they
were the means by which they secured
power and patronage. The south was
anxious for peace and tranquility, be-
cause it might save them from usurpa-
ton and robbery. The people discovered
that hate and persecution wss bringing
the government to anarchy and rum
and they arose in the majesty OF Uheir
strength, and in thunder tones pro-
nounced judgment in favor OF pesce'
brotherhood and 8 perfect restoration.
II NAV be safely said that the contro-
versv hiss been decided, the books are
closed, and the country passes to other
considerations and other themes. The
trial of arms settled the conflict as to
national or State supremacy in favor of
the nation. The subsequent legislation
as TO the emancipation of the slaves,
the eufranchisement Of the freedmen,
and the power Of the general
government to enforce these
gTsat measures were settled by twice
electing General Grant to the Presiden-
cy. No considerable body Of men, either
north or south, is disposed to any further
hostility. The people, in two national
elections, aud in their State cleo
lions, decided that henceforth and
forever the doctrine Of the equal
iry Of personal and political rights
is the fundamental truth Of the great
republic. After nearly q century of con-
troversy, even from the very origin OF
theF Federal government, the people have
determined, by the majority Of their
voices, these difficult questions. The
great revolution which proclaimed peace
between the sections, and against the
destructive policy Of eternal hate, will
give the Democrats majority in the
house of representatives during the for
ly-fourth cong1 sss. Already the Demo-
cratic press is discussing the speaker
60 preside over that body. Many
prominent names have been mentioned.
II the books Of the war are really
closed, the court Of final appeal has de-
ciied; If the north and south have de-
termined to make the most Of the glOri-
Gus blessings Of liberty and unity which
the Divine Providence has vouchsafed
10 the nation, would it not be an spprO-
pirate occasion to demonstrate the sin
certify Of the union by electiBg 8 south
ern man speaker OF the next congress?
What better evidence could there be Of
q restored union and a common brother
hood, the existence of q national party |
thatBneW no section, than the election |
of /. Q. {. Lamar to congress? His
eloquent and patriotic eulOgy on the |
death OF Charles Sumner did more to
mollify the enniity Of the north toward |
the south than any other incident since
the war. twas the keynote for that |
Brotherhood which the result OF the
recent elections indicate is to
subsist hereafter between the two sec
tons. The hearty and graceful testi-
mony Of Mississippi's gifted son meant
something more than a mere personal
compliment to personal merit. 1t indi-
Gated the true eonciliatOFy sentiments Of
the people Of the south, with whom the
north had not for many years been on
terms Of unconstrsined friendship. La
mars speech broke down the barriers,
and now there is no line which marks
the division between Massachusetts, and
Mississippi, as indicated by the recent
elections. Such craftsmanship as
/. Q. c. Lamar exhibited, in the
hour when patriotism and nation
ality has triumphed over sectional
hate, should not be forgotten. He is a
man Of great presence, fine address, self |
possessed, quickness Of thought, suavity |
impervious to the edge Of partisanship,
and makes friends even among oppO- |
nents. such q man as speaker would |
he an Unerring indication Of the nation
Al spirit Of the Democracy, q spectacle
which would gladden. the hearts Of the
patriots whose lexicon knows no such |
words IS Mason and DixOn's line.