Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-10-26
The United South OF '61-the Solid
South of '76

The history of this country can
never fairly accuse the Republican
party as the author of any wrong or
injustice against the South. This fact
stands clearly out in view of the I'M
paralleled treatment accorded those
who took up arms against the Gov
eminent. The head and front of the
rebellion is to-day allowed to go and
como as he pleases, protected by the
law of the land in every right which
the most loyal citizen can enjoy. In
the whole work of reconstruction not
a single act Of wrong or oppression
was inflicted upon the section which
for four years meuaced the existence
of the Republic, and only gave up the
struggle when defeated by superior
proves. No such clemency so ex-
traordinary, nor so far removed from
expectancy, appears in the history of
the world, nor was ever conceived by
the most vivid imagination. No right
was given to any citizen which anoth-
err should not enjoy. No privilege
was given to one conflicting with the
comfort or happiness or rights of any
other. Indeed, the only opposition
which the Government, in the hands
of the Republican party, has encoun-
tered has been from those, who by
acts Of war and uncalled.for disloyal-
ty forfeited every right that citizen
can have.
No one can deny that the Govern
ment would not as readily protect the
lite of an imperiled citizen of South
ern State, no matter where the menace
came from, as that of black. Any
idea in conflict with this fact would
| be ridiculous and absurd, and yet to-
day the Government is called upon to
protect one class of people from the
assaults of another class whose claims
to rights as citizens are certainly not
founded upon either loyalty now or at
any time during the national struggle,
when an acknowledgment of such
rights meant danger to the claimant.
1t is demanded with some show of
spirit that the States lately in rebel
lion should be left to regulate their
own affairs and to deal with those who
stood by the Government, while the
white citizens of those States, with
but few exceptions, were fighting it,
as they please. The men most promi-
nent in the war against the Govern
ment are, under the very reconstruc-
ton acts of which so much complaint
is made, sent to make the laws for
| the Government with which they
have just been at unsuccessful war.
No man has been sent to Congress by
the malcontents whose record is not
blurred and blasted with acts of dis
loyalty in the field or councils of the
Confederacy. Why, it would seem
there were no other men in the South
capable of discharging Legislative du-
ties. Either this or their sending is
the direct reward of their faithfulness
to the enemies eff the Government.
If the case were exactly reversed
if the men who raised their hands
the Government, and who surrendered
at the Appomatox under the most hui
name condition were to-day suffering
ill-treatment-history wonld be re-
peated, and there would be no occa-
sion for astonishment. Who are they
who now cry out? Are they not the
very men who led the South into dis
union, rebellion and poverty? Who
else ? Has experience taught these
men anything? 1t would seem that
it has failed, for the South to-day is
the South of '61. The "SoIid South
to-day is the "United South" of '61.
The same men guide in her councils,
the same spirit actuates her leaders
now that caused the strong arm Of
the Government to clutch them by
the throat fifteen years ago. God
help her if that necessity shall ever
| arIca anaj-