South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-02-26
Address TO the People OF the
Southern States.

the South and Southwest:
To the People of re Southern Stotes -
You have confded TO the undersigned
in this conjunction ofafairs the delicate
and difficult task OF guarding i'm the fed.
eral Congress your public interest, Your
rights and your reputation. You will.
therefore, pardon the liberty we take of
addressing you sc period so critical
upon matter affecting your destiny and
that o. your posterity. You cannot
have failed TO observe the persistent eff.
forts OF some OF the leader of the re.
publican party TO revive the animosity
OF the late war, whioh happily are fast
giving place 20 spirit Of concord and
unity In every section of our common
country. 1t Is impossible topredict Ger.
tainiy the effect of these appeals to pas
sion. We believe that through the hon.
est representation Of few upright and
conscientious federal officers and agents
an independent aud able public press.
and OF many citizens without regard TO
party, the condition of the Southern
/ States and the real sentiment of the
Southern people are being gradually
made KNOWN 90 our fellow citizens ofthe
| North. We hope for their favorable de.
cisioI when fully appHsed Of all the
facts. The great ends Of good govern
ment will be reached wtenthc people OF
, all sections forget that we have ever been
enemies, and come together again "a in
early days OF the republic, emulating
each other only in devotion to the best
interest the whole country. With this
exalted purpose in view, there is moth.
ing inconsistent with the honor and man
hood of a brave people TO resolve to SUI.
fer with heroic patience. whatever be
their provocations and wrongs, looking
through the fearful present TO q hopeful
future, and repelling unjust cpithets and
gratuitous insults with dignifed modera-
ton. Let eFery white man in every
neighborhood in the whole South repard
himself rs 4 commissioner of the peace,
maintaining the kindiest relations to-
wards the black man. remembering that
the responsibility for the extreme power
to which we have been reduced, and the
corrupt governments to which his vote
has subjected us. rests not so much up
on them rs the bad men. who. with the
assurance offedcral support, have, by
appeals to his worst passions. sought to
make him our enemy. While we labor
by all honest means 10 convince him OF
the truth that our interests and his are
identical, and that both must be preserv-
ed by good government, and that those
who stir mp strife between us are the en-.
enies Of both races, let us Mt the same
time sec that he is fully protected in his
I al ,.i~rl
IL all elections. Let us continue to
deal with him honestly and fairly, and
let us continue cordially TO invite to our
midst those of any political party who
either seek to know the truth, or TO fnd
homes ON out soil. We do not cxagger.
! ate wher we admonish You OF the dis.
heartening fact that every disturbance,
/ every homicide Of whatever character.
| by whomsoever committed, by black or
white, republican or democrat, such rs
are incident to every community on
earth, is perverted into evidence of a
spirit Of lawlessncs7 and violence. and
q purpose to accomplish political ends.
We well know the gross injustice Of such
charges, which have weight only where
ignorance Of our true condition prevails.
Strenuous efforts are now being made
by those who misrepresent you to induce
the passage through Congress of the
most dangerous measures in order TO ir-
ritate our people, to drive to despair and
10 provoke them to violent outbreaks in
I order 10 furnish IN excuse for applying
FOR military interference.
We express the hope that n majority
Of the present Congress viii not be
found ready to sanction such legislation.
fit DC accomplished it would be against
the protest not only of democrats but of
the moral worth and craftsmanship here
of the party in power, and of such re.
publicans rs Bryant Evarts. Charles
Francis Adams and others, whose patri.
otism and sense or Justice are known to
the entire country. We may, however,
mistake. The most extreme. oppres.
siye and unconstitutional measures may
be imposed upon you. I'm such an event
we would appeal to the wisdom and pa
triotism Of lorg-suffering people. by G.
very hope of the future. for continued
forbearancc and hopeful reliance upon
the virtue and sense OF Justice Of the A.
mcricau people for the ultimate vindica-
ton Of our rights, the protection Of our
liberties and safety of our republican
form of government.
.
PINCfBACK AGAIN SET BAcK.-The
notorious Pinchback has again been foil.
cd, and denied admission rs q United
states Senator from Louisiana. The
session Of the Senate which commenced
al noon ~, " cJyopI,-. 81. g t...t - -.