The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-07-07
The Fourth Of July and Ex,Gov.
Hershell V. Johnson:

Cj;lr Georgia exchanges publish'a well
wriltcrletter Of Gov. Johnson in reply
to an invitation TO cooperate in a
Fourth Of July celebration ut Atlanta,
in Which, whilst accepting the invita-
ton, teNrges number OF coyent rca-
SONS for the general observance Of day,
which Of late has been almost entirely
disrc.ar.l,d. lie justly holds that il
the principles Of the Declaration of In
pcnlrncr were ever worthy to be cher
ishcd, they still are, and chat at this
time especially we should seek by such
celebrations as tie proposed one, to give
10 our Northern brethren the assurance
that we are still true to the principles of
constitutional liberty, and that we arc
wilin" to renew ctr Gevortion to the
principles Of 177G, and to pledge on
lives, fortunes and sacred honor to their
maintenance. In speaking ofthis Union
on the basis Of Constitutional liberty,
GOV. johnson well says:
This is,thc cn!y reconciliation between
the sections that can. be of permanent
value. II means more than simply ma
king friends of each other, or the cessa-
ton of overt exhibitions Of aniniusity.
re means more than the adjustment of
party differences in politics, which; look
mainly to triumph in presidential elec.
ton and the consequent control of the
power and patronage of government.
such recon ciliation is superficial and
falls far below the requirements of an
exalted patriotism or the comprehensive
and farrcaching policicstof wise states
manship.- The harmony to which we al
ludc is that which will result from a
conscientious return to full'recdgEftlon
of the principles of our common consti-
tuition and the administrations Of our
government in all its departments accor-
ling to its title and spirit. This, and
this only, can secure lasting fraternity
and mutual confidence between the
States and the various sections Of our
country. For it will rcassert State
equality the right Of local State govern
ment and cvcnhandcd justice, in the
distribution of both the burdens and
blessings OF the Federal administration.
This is the harmony for which plead.
1t is the true spirit and genius Of our
<ystcn Of confederate government.
Without it. we may have, not the uaion
Of Mutrs, but the unity Of empire, con-
solidated and upheld by military power
the staynant peace of dispositism.
1t may be that l cannot cooperate
personally with the citizons of Atlanta,
in their proposed celebrations If not
then these hasty reflections must be my
reprcscntivc.
The letter. is in keeping with the spir-
it which has been manifested at all the
recent celebrations, and which has
found uttcrancc in the declarations OF
distinguished speakers Of all sections.
II is time that the North and the South
should forget the alienation Of the past,
and Ill the bitter memories of fratricldal
strife and recur to those glorious days,
when they made common cause against
a common enemy, and achieved through
peril and privation liberty and indie
pcndcnce. The recent centcnnials have
come most opportuncly to keep alive
these rccol!cctions, and TO cement anew
ihc union Of all sections, and we trust
that the Grand Celebration next year at
Philadelphia will go far to complete tho
work and unite indissolubly the people
of all sections.