The Portland daily press., 1877-03-20
Testing the South.

Apparently the Republican party has sus-
pected the South too much and has not been
as suspicious of the northern Democracy as
the history Of that faction would warrant.
We sadly distrusted the South when it de-
clared that it accepted the situation in good
faith. Indeed circumstances lent strength to
the distrust. But to-day the Southern Lead
ers talk and act as though they heartily ac-
quiesce in the new order of things. But
Northern Democrats, more Southern than
the South, refuse to be reconciled. Hereto
tore they have been looked upon as a horde
OIL hungry office seekers, having no strong
convictions, and ready at any time to sacri-
ice theii principles for success. 1t has been
believed that they opposed the constitutional
amendments simply to conciate the South,
and that when that section accepted the new
polity they would eagerly follow in its train.
1t was thought that many years would pass
before the race prejudice in the South could
be overcome, and that the irreconcilables
would he found in that section. Recent
events however have shown that the South
Northern Democratic chiefs, that when they
announced their acceptance of the situation
they meant what they said, while the North
ern Democracy in making the same an
nouncement were guilty OF falsehood.
In the United States Senate Saturday, the
extraordinary spectacle was presented of the
nomination Of black man to federal Office
supported by men like Hill and Garland and
Beck, and opposed by every Northern Demo-
cratic Senator. The Southerners rose supe-
rior to the prejudice of race, while the North.
ern irreconcilables were unable to rid them
selves of their hatred OF the negro, and were
guilty of the meanness of opposing one of
the foremost men of the country because bis
skin was black. This spectacle is leading the
people to believe that the better portion of
the Democratic party is to be found at the
South; and they remember that the oppos
tion of Southerners has always been bold and
open, while the Northern Democrats have
been towards and tricksters. When the
South got tired of the Union it seeded and
fought. The Northerners remained in the
Union which they hated, and endeavored to
destroy it by trickery. The South made no
attempt to disguise its sentiments. 1t was
wicked but honest. The Northern Democ-
racy professed allegiance to government it
was secretly attempting to destroy. 1t was
wicked and dishonest. Remembering these
things people are strongly tempted 10 believe
the South, and to accept its assurance that
it submits in good faith to the new order.
Feeling thus the country is minded to give
the South fair trial. Its generosity may be
mistaken but it is strongly inclined to take
the chance. The policy of the President
meets with general approval. He evidently
intends to move cautiously, to acquaint
himself with all the facts in the situation, to
learn the sentiment that really animates the
Southern leaders and then to hasten slowly
toward the completion of the work of recon-
struction. 1t is certainly not his purpose so
far as appears to put in jeopardy the safety or
any rights of the black men or of Southern
white Republicans. What he will attempt to
do is to pacify the South without sacrificing
any class or any principle. The attempt
is in sympathy with the wish of
the Republican party and the pol
icy will receive hearty and generous
support so long as circumstances prove its
practicability. The experiment of testing
the good faith of the South is, in the light of
recent events, well worth trying.