The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-06-09
BENJAMIN II. HILL.
His Views ON the Situation what the
south Asks and Demands-WOrfS
of Wisdom and Patriotism.

A few days since a correspondent of
the Baltimore Gazette interviewed this
distinguished Georgian, who said: " |
do not know if 1t is proper for me to ex-
press any views upon the subject of the
ensuing presidential election. The peo-
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
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 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 eXtTavaganccs Above all things,
If the northern democracy should be so
divided as to be unable to agree, then
the south must decide it. Her delegates
will endeavor to do it in such manner
as best to contribute to success, as we re-
gard the question at issue in the. APP
preaching election the preservation of
our constitutional system. Tilden, Hen
bricks, Bayard and Thurman are all ac-
ceptable to 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-
tiveness on this question on the part of
the north. and we intend to show the
northern people that we will be loyal. /
am 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 Eot wish to speak, but | was COM
PEELED TO defend the south. ] was brought
into the debate by wicked assault upon
our people, who for ten years had been
uniustly accused and misrepresented. |
would have been glad had no dead issues
come up, but ] would not admit that at
least one third of the PEOPLE of this
country were criminals. Our difficult
ties were settled by war, as reasoning
| could not settle them, asd it is manly
and religious for us to accept the fact.
! The republican party Is sectional one /;
| its history is sectional it is itself one of
| 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 / look
upon as a subordinate one. Restore hon
est government, the currency will adjust
itself and soon be all right. 1t is to be
| hoped that the matter will he settled at
| st. Louis without division and without
the intcrposition of the south. If 50,
| the entire southern vote will be cast for
the nominee. The south recognizes
there is a new era. Formerly she had
! slavery aud distractions. The next cen
fury she will work out her destiny with
free labor and good, hard sense. l regret
my speech was misinterpreted, as | am
for the union under the constitution and
the laws, as are my people, and | hope
that the time is East arriving when the
only difference between the geographical
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 fraternal
feeling will he restored never to be again
interrupted. Mr.. Hill spoke in an
earnest and forcible manner, and was ev-
IDENTIFY most sincere III every utterance
he made