The Osceola times., 1876-06-03
BENJAMIN II. HILL.
lsis vtews on the nltWatten = what the
AOulh AsAa and Deasanas-WO Ords
o .lyfahOssl and Patriotlan.


q ,lyta<sOsss and Patriotism.
A kw days since correspondent OF
the BaltiinQfe Gazette interviewed this
distinguished Georgian, who said: 81
do not know if it is proper for me to ex.
press any views upon the subject of the
ensuing presidential election. The pcO.
pie OF the south recognize the sensitive
ness Of the public mind OF the north in
! regard to the active interference Of the
south in politics. While this is but
natural, it is doing the south an injus-
'tice, as she is on an 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 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
ih power equal constitutional rights,
apd no more. They do not want 10 ke
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
il, that he will be a good, sound, consti-
tutional and national man, who will do
Justice to all men, TO every race, and
who will ask no favors nor indulge in
any. extravaganccs. Above all things,
we desire reconciliation and revision.
If the northern democracy should be No
divided M to be unable to agree, then
the south must decide it. Her delegates
will endeavor to do it in such n manner
~ best To contribute TO success, ~ we re-
ID h. Mt in a n
preaching election the preservation Of
our constitutional system. Tilden, Hen
dricks, Bayard and Thurman are all ac-
ceptable 70 us, but we prefer the strong
est man. We hope that the northern
democracy may be able to select a man
of whose national sentiments there can
be no. doubt. We expect great sensi-
titentSs on this question on the part of
the north, and we intend TO show the
northern people that we will he loyal. |
am represented as an extreme man.
| Such has never been my reputation at
ehomes II cannot admit that the entire
fsouthern people are criminals, but am
as much devoted TO our constitutional
| form of government rs any other man.
4 did not wish to speak, but was COM
lpsllcd t6Iefend the south. Twas brought
Into the.debatc by wicked assault upon
j.oir people, who for ten years had been
i'urtustit accused and misreprennted.
] would have been glad had no dead issues
come UP, but would net-admit that at
tlesst one third Of the people OF thin
.countfy were criminals. Our difficult
tiles were settled by war, as reasoning
\ could not settle them, and II is manly
and religious for us TO accept the fact
The republican party Isl sectional one
] its history is sectional it is itself one o.
4 the features of the war which it is neces
sary TO get rid Of Whether its WORK
has been patriotic or not is for the world
to Judge. The currency question i look
upon as subordinate one. Restore hon
est government, the currency will adjust
itself and soon he all right. 1t is to bt
hoped thgt the matter will lie settled al
ST. Louis without division and without
the interposition of the south. II 40
the entire southern vote will be cast fo
the nominee. The south recognizes
there is n new era. Formerly she hat
slavery aud distractions. The next cen
| tury she will work out her destiny will
free labor and good, hard sense. regre
my speech was mis'nterPreted, as | an
for the union under the constitution ant
the laws, as are my people, and l hop
that the time is fast arriving when III
only difference between the geographical
sections of the country will he a. Il
which shall be foremost in devotion Il
our common country. The time mus
come when the people Of the north viii
better understand the people Of tn
south, and then the proper fraterna
feeling will he restored never to be agai
interrupted" Mr.. Hill spoke in a
earnest and forciblc manner, and was g,
IDENTIFY most sincere in every utteranc
ne made.