The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-04-12
LET US LEAD, AND NOT BE LED

The South is 10 longer upon her good
behavior. She came out of the civil war
with chains upon her limbs and her
spirit pierced with the keen realization
OF hopeless cause. Politically o7tracis-
ed, and doomed to do penance at the bid
ding of exacting radical task-masters, she
stood in sack-cloth and ashes, determin-
ed with fortitude to accept the bitterness
of her cup, and await the return of
Northern Cancellation. She suffered
long and sorely. By degrees her voice
was allowed to be raised in the council
chambers of the country. Though long
represented by alien and carpet-bag del
sgaLions, yet each year brought relief,
gntil no " che is quite out of the wilder
nsss of her fermer discomfort, and with
an eye fixed on a future of substa initial
prosperity, she moves to the front in full
accord with the principl les and spirit of a
reconstructed union. For the past twelve
years Southern Democrats entered the
national convention of their party with
bated breath, and only voted at the die
tation of their Eastern brethren This
was conspicuouslY evident in the. st
Louis convention that nominated Air.
Tiiden. The West and South preferred
another candidate, but the East hushe d
into silence the Southern vsice by telling
Southern delegates that the faint of re-
bellion still fingered about the Skin Is of
our people, pnd hence they should yield
TO another section the right of making q
presidential choice. A nomination was
made in full fellowship with Eastern
interests, but the South co-operated as
one man in electiRg Mr. Tilden. When
Congress convened and the electoral
fight commenced, Southern representa-
tives followed the-lead of their Northern
Democratic allies in sustaining the crea
ton of the National Arbitration Board
In the fllbustering struggle that ensued
the Northern Democracy by eowardlJ
vacillatiOn lost its hold upon the leader
ship of the party, while the manly con
servative spirit of the Southern Democ
racy vindicated before the country it
right and title to the unqualified conf
de nee of the A mericau people.
The pacific policy of Mr.. Hayes il
based upon the Acknowledged conserva
tism of the Southern Democracy. Thu
present iuncture of affairs is opportune fo
the South to develop and enlarge a ma
tional spirit, and not be led by such East
ern partisans as Randall and Wood. A
long as we obey the commands of sucl
men we are doomed to be at the mercy o
a sectional spitit. We have a single dut,
to perform in protecting and fostering
Southern interests, and in inaugEratini
a government policy in harmony Will
our material development. We hav
been turning the public grindstone lon
enough for certain Northern Democratic
schemers to sharpen their axes. W
have been fddling for them to dane,
over the wasting energies of our people
Let this costly work cease. Let as lea
the way of real perfected union. who's
Legislation will not be sectionallY part
san, but in the interest of the creates
good to the largest number. W.. .hav
worked our way to the front, and let u
by catholic spirit improve the oppOrtr
nifty and show to the nation that th
Southern people are worthy to be truste
in subscribing the high aims and inte
ests of the federal union. To be furtht
led by Eastern Democrats ia to be long'
at the mercy of partisan hate. 1t is ii
duty and the privilege of the Souther
Democracy 70 shape the policy of OIL
national organization, and not be furth'
brow beaten and enslaved by Easter
Democratic tricksters.