Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-05-27
BENJAMIN Ii. HILL.
HIS Views on the sttuatfOn-What the
south Asks and Demands
Of Wisdom and Patriotism.

A few days since q correspondent OF
the Baltimore Gazette interviewed this
distinguished GeoIgian, who said: /"
do not know ii it is proper for me 10 ex-
press any views upon the subject OF the
ensuing Presidential election. The peo-
pie of the south TecogniZs tue sensitive
ness OF the public mind of the north in
regard to the active interference OF the
south in politics. While this is but
natursl, it is doing the south an irjds-
tice. IS she is on an equality with the
ether sections Of the country, and hiss
the same duty IN perform. The south
has abandoned tlavery, secession, and
all her other old ideas, and desires cor
dial reunion, peace between the RACES,
and desires also the advancement Of the
colOred man. The people ask Of the party
In power equal constitutional rights,
and no more They do not want to
be put in any other position. We desire
to support the national sentiment. We
prefer that the northern Democracy
should select the candidate. All we
hope is that he will be q 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 yeXiravagances. Above all things,
We desire reconciliation and revision. If
the northern Democracy should be so
divided as to be unable to sgree, then
the south must decide it. Her delegates
will endeavor to do it in such q manner
as bsst to contribute to success, as We re.
gar1 the question at issue in the sp-
preaching election the preservation Of
our constitutional system. Tilden, Hen
bricks, Bayard and Thurman are all ac-
cep!abie 70 u3, but we prefer the strong
est man. We hope tina tthe northern De-
mocracy may be able to select man of
whose national sentiments there can be
no doubt. We expect great sensitiveness
on this question on the part of the
north, and we intend to show the north
ern people that We will be loyal. I am
represented SIS an extreme man. Such
has never been my reputation st 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. l was brought into
the debate by a wicked assault upon our
people, who for ten years had been un-
Justly accused and misrepreseuted. l
would have been glad had no dead is-
sues come up, but / would not admit
that at least one.third Of the people Of
this country were criminals. Our diff
cultjes weIe 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 Oh O.;
its history Is sectional; ii is itself one OF
the features OF the war which it is neces-
sRry to get rid OF. Whether it's work
hsa been patriotic or not is for the
world to judge. The currency question
1 look upon as subordinate one. Re.
store honest government, the cur
rency will adjust itself and soon
be all right 1t is to be hoped
that the matter will be settled at st.
Louis without division and without the
Of the south. II so, the
entire southern vote will be cast for the
nominee. The south recognizes there
is a new era. Formerly she had slavery
and distractions. The next century she |
will work out her destiny with free Ia
Dor and good, hard sense. regret my
speech was misinterpreted, as ] |
am for the Union under the constitution |
and the laws, as are my people, and / |
hops that the time is fast arriving when |
the only difference between the geo. |
sections Of the country will be |
as to which sb all be foremost in devo- |
ton to cur common country. The time |
must come when the people Of the north |
will better understand the people of |
the south, and then the proper fraternal |
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