Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-03-21

the last fifteen years.
Here is what Senator Gordon of Ga.
has said and says now, and this is the
belief ol both Southern and Northern
democracy. When questioned he said;
I'VE did not believe that the act OF
secession was treason. do not believe
itnOw. do not expect ever 10 believe
tip SS4)
Question. When you surrendered
did YOU not think you bad been guilty oil
rebellion and treason
Answer. No. sir; | never bad such
an idea.
"Question. Did YOU not think that
you were amenable TO the law
Answer. No. sir; not a bit OF II.
Question. As matter OF fact, dld
not the people OF the South understand
that they had been guilty OF rebellion
and treason, aud were amenable to the
law
Answer. No. sir.
Question. That was not the impress
in the public mind of the South ?
Answer. Not bit OF il. do not
believe there was au intelligent man In
the South who believed. or believes to-
day. that no was guilty OF treason, or
anything that smacked Of treason.
Withou: any further allusion TO the
principle Of Stale rights, Is matter oil
contrast il may not be uuinstructive TO
look at one OF the schemes now entertained
by the advocates OF this doctrine. AT this
moment the South entertains a PROPOSE
lion, scheme ior sectional empire,
which though hostile to this principle Is
nevertheless dear 10 the Statesmen Oh
that section. At first view it would not
seem possible that such men, who claim
,ba, the general government ought not
to interfere with the commercial or local
affairs of State, could be The authors
OF such iccompatabililies.
Tie layorite Southern measure 10 ex-
tend her empire and probably 70 annex
portions or the whole OF Mexico, Is the
construction OF Southern or Texan
Pacific Railroad. This road as contem-
plated extends from Memphis. Tennessee
10 San Diego California. It's projectors
are southern democratic Statesmen,
assisted by the railroad king, Tom Scott.
Is 'caSth VIA Do a5ou no thousand
mites and lis cost about 100000, 600.
They propose that The mixed Safe :
shai, build this road. to give large por-
lions OF the public domain as a subsidy
and guarantee It's bonds TO certain
amoIu,.
TIL, statement is no, made without
authority. L. NJ. T. Hunter OF Va. a
sags,ilu, icade- OF democracy and
Southern opinion, in letter 10 Senator
Lanar says:
The Texas racihc road presents au
instance 10 which bY It's completion the
south vii. be vastly strengthened IN
capital and resources 10 develop is
people, their industry and enterPTise,and
also Increase 10 political power not only
In iuilleace. tC, in voting power 10 pro
tcct lis people and their nights through
TIE action OF the common Government.
Does She uot need this protection and all
Ills assistance for her material develop
mCut. Is anybody caring iOr her now
Has she Influence or power euoaEh IN
the Government 10 enforce n demand Tor
The supply 40 her very necessities:
WA, mea,u re has vet been proposed so
laey 20 build up he power ~ hich might
insure protection IS this Texas Pacific
railroad. and what State or person i
robbed Ct any power II the General
Government should execute Il The
COZ slruCtiOn OF this route, !. IS said, Will
establish intimate relations OF trade and
commerce between eight or ten OF The
northern provinces Of Mexico and the
people Of the American territory through
which IL Will pass. \ vast Southern
empire NAV thus agise, holding new re-
lstiGnS wiki the res; OF the world. helping
20 maintain Justice and create large
common interests amongst the members
OF the present Uuion; o. perhaps eStaO
lshiDg q uew point OF departure and
new balance OF interests on the North
American continent
Then "ihe South" appears in this
scheme willing to advocate this enormous
expenditure Tor another political job
for protection. power and empire"
And she, and her friends are willing
aposia,es 10 their own fundamental doc
triue of State rights. seeking power and
empire by Capitalization.
This doctrine Of State rights has more
to 10 iniIinsioa.iy with The centennial
Presidency than any other Finance,
taxation OF church property and schools
are Insignificant in comparison. Unless
q generation passes from 1860 before
the possibility OF anoiher democratic
administration like those OF Pierce
and Buchanan. the tranquility of this
country is impossible. Until length
Of time equivalent 10 that has passed,
under steady, Iesoluie wise and honest
republican rule there can be no peaceful
emigration to all portions of the South,
no safety Of commercial investments, no
federation OF political sentiment, and no
general diffusion OF knowledge, such as
now exists for all Southern men st the
North.
10 view OF this, let the people deter.
mine who is the best man tor president.
Let them selec, q man who is exemp.
from every faint of sectional antipsthy,
whose patriotism and unionism are
beyond doubt, who has done something