Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-10
uB BLAINE ON THE PRESENT Al
7ITUDE or THE SOUTH.

" N
7ITUDE or THE SOUTH.
The debate in the House of Representa-
lives on Mr.. Randalls bill extending am
nesty to the remaining rebels OF the South,
hitherto excluded. was one of great Inter-
est. and must tend to open the eyes of the
people as to the condition of the South
Mr.. Blaine understood the South too well
TO be misled upon such a question; and ne
was not the man to hesitate in the per-
Torrance of duty which the exigency oil
the times thrust upon him. His position
lent weight to his words. And as proof
after proof was forthcoming in support OF
his charges that Jefferson Davis should De
held responsible for the horrors OF Ander-
sonyille prison, some of the most dehant
Of the Southerners who had been pardoned
by the republican party before they TOOK
their seats in The House, seemed TO qnaii
before the ex-Speakcr. The South was
terra incoqntta when slavery prevailed,
because it killed abolilionists who alone had
the ability and impartiality to describe
what it was. Slavery swallowed science.
art. and literature in that section, and
trampled GU, all independence of thought.
On what ground the slave South could
boast of its right to govern the country, is
a mystery. Was it because it bought and
sold colored men and women? 1t has no
slaves now; but, venomously discomfort
ed, it is preparing TO present the same old
claim. Mr.. Blaine said, referring 10 the
amnesty offered the Southern rebels;
"BuT, AT THE SAME TIME, IT Is A VERY
SINGULAR SPECTACLE THAT THE REPUBLI-
CAN PARTY, IN POSSESSION OF THE ENTIRE
GOVERNMENT, HAS DELIBERATELY CALL
ED BACK INTO PUBLIC POWER THE LEAD
ING MEN OF THE SOUTH, EVERY ONE OF
WHOM TURNS OUT ITS BITTER, RELENT-
LESS, AND MALIGNANT FOE: AND THAT,
TO-DAY, FROM THE Potomac TO THE Rio
GRANDE, THE VERY MEN WHO HAVE RE
CEIyED THIS AMNESTY ARE AS BUSY AS
THEY KNOW HOW TO BE IN CONSOLIDATING
INTO ONE CONTACT POLITICAL ORGANIZA-
TIoN THE OLD SLAVE STATES JUST AS BE-
FORE THE WAR, AND WE SEE THE BANNER
BLAZONED AGAIN WITH THE INSCRIPTION
l.,
VOTES FROM THE NORTH, THE COUNTRY
CAN BE GOVERNED. l WANT THE PEOPLE
TO UNDERSTAND THAT is PRECISELY THE
MOVEMENT; THAT THAT Is THE ANIdUs
AND THE INTENT"
This grave truth must go through the
country TO warn the people everywhere OF
the attitude of the South, and what is like
" to result from the magnanimily Of re-
publicans. "A united South does not
mean 4 loyal South living in amity in the
Union, and respecting the rights of all the
citizens. 1t means dsloya! South, plot
ting and intriguing for power, to disturb
the settlement made by The Union forces.
1t will be blunder worse than a crime if
the warning is not needed. Is the pres
ent condition of the South what was ex-
pected when the rebel troops were sent to
their homes, and the leaders OF the rebel
lion spared? Let soldiers look to this.
The rebellion was doubted until il broke
out. The South has never ceased the re-
bellion from the passage OF the first repub-
lican amnesty bill. II then took heart and
has nerer abandoned its purpose. The
difference between 1861 and 1876 is that
treason was ready for the fray, and the
North was moi. To-day the South is said
to be disarmed, but dsloyalty rankles,
and produces a class Of men that have no
.ove of country; no pride in Ler free in
stitutions; who think civilization incom-
plete without slavery, and who must be
suppressed Tor the safety of the nation
The Republic.