Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-06-17
BENJAMIN HI. HILL.
His Views ON the SituatiOn-What the
South Asks and Demands-WOrds
Of Wisdom and Patriotism.

A few days since correspondent OF
the Baltimore Gazette interviewed this
distinguished Georgian, who said: Il
do not know if it is proper for me to
express any views upon the subject of
the ensuing Presidential election. The
people of the south recognize the SEN
sitiveness of thepublic mind of the
north in regard to the active interfer-
ence of the south in politics. While
this is but natural, it is doing the south
an injustice, as she is on equality with
the other sections of the country, and
has the same duty to perform. The
south has abandoned slavery, secession,
and all her other oldideas, and desires
a cordial reunion, peace between the
races, and desires also the advancement
of the colored man. Tbe people ask
of the party in power equal constitu-
tional rights, and no more. They do
not want to be put in any other posi-
ton. We desire to support the ma
tional sentiment. We prefer that the
northern Democracy should select the
candidate. All we hope is that he will
be good, sound, constitutional and
national man, who will do justice to all
men, to every race, and who will ask no
favors nor indulge in any extravagan-
ces. Above all things, we desire re-
Cancellation and revision. If the
northern Democracy should be so di-
vided as to be unable to agree, then the
south must decide it. Her delegates
will endeavor to do it in such a man.
ner as best to contribute to success, as
we regard the question at issue in the
approaching election the preservation
of our constitutional system. Tilden,
Hendricks, Bayard and Thurman are
all acceptable to us, but we prefer the
preservation of our constitutional sys-
TEN. Tilden, Hendricks, Bayard and
Thurman are all acceptable to US, but
we prefer the strongest man. We
hope that the northern Democracy may
be able to select a man of whose ma
tional sentiments there can be no
doubt. We expect tgreatsensitiveness on
this question on the part of the north
ern people that we will be loyal. lam
represented as an extreme man. Such
has never been my reputation at home.
| cannot admit that the entire southern
people are criminals, but am as much
devoted to our constitutional form of
government as any other man. [ did
not wish to speak, but was compelled
to defend the south. | was brought
into the debate by a wicked assault
upon our people, who for ten years had
been unjustly accused and misrepre-
sented. l would have been glad had
no dead issues come up, but l would
not admit that at least one-third of
the people of this country were crimi-
nails. Our difficulties were settled by
war, as reasoning could not settle
them, and it is manly and religious for
us to accept the fact. The Republican
party is sectional one; its history is
sectional; il is itself one of the features
of the war which it is necessary to get
rid of. Whether its work has been pa
trotic or not is for the world to judge.
The currency question | look upon as
a subordinate one. Restore honest
government. the currency will adjust
itself and soon be all right. 1t is to
be hoped that the matter will be set
tied at St. Louis without the interpo-
sition of the south. IF so, the entire
southern vote will be castfo the nom
inee. The south recognizes there is
new era. Formerly she had slavery
and dabstractions. The next century she
will work out her destiny with free la
Dor and good, hard sense. l regret my
speech was misinterpreted, as [ am for
the laws, as are my people, and | hope
that the time is fast arriving when the
only difference between the geographi-
cal sections of the country will be as
to which shall be foremost in devotion
to our common country. The time
must come when the people of the
north will better understand the people
of the south, and then the proper fra
ternal feeling will be restored never to
be again interrupted" Mr.. Hill spoke
in an earnest and forcible manner, and
was evidently most sincere in every ut
terance he made.