The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-10-30


differences Of opinion ae traitorous re.
bellion against the Government is as I'M.
manly as it 10 untruthful. But the Re.
publican party not only Insists that the
Southern people are all traitors, but that
they shall confess themselves tn br trail
tors. The result is that no Southern man
can affiliate with the Republican party
without confessing himself a criminal
and agreeing to treat all his own people
as criminals By such confession he
would show himself unfit to be trusted
by any party. By this policy of the Re
publican party everything decent in the
South is driven into the Democratic par
ty, and then the Republican party raises.
the cry for "s lid North against the
solid South P
do not know what else may happen
in the future, but this much | do know
Come what may, the Southern people
will never confess themselves traitors.
Their children will never confess it, and
it 1.-THE intelligent peopleof the North see
proper to solidify and keep the sectional
Republican party in power until this con-
fession shall be made, then your hope
Of only one more year of sectional agits'
ton IL the dream OF distempered brain
aud cordial reunion is hopeless, The
southern people abandon, and abandon
forever, both secession and slavery. They
admit that superior physical force has
settled what argument was unable to
settle. They accept in good faith the
constitutional amendments They de-
sire to exercise only their proportion of
power, under the Constitution and laws.
They neither desire, nor will they per-
NIT if they can prevent it, any more Sec
tional or civil wars. This they proved
to all fair minded men in the Presiden-
tial count. They will not under any cir.
CumstanCes "starve" the Government,
nor seek any control over the North.
But the intend to preserve their self re-
spect, and to deserve the respect OF all
brave men everywhere and for all time,
and this they cannot do by confessing
themselves criminals, as the Republican
party has demanded, and still demand.
Now, my friends, what are you intelli-
gent men in the North going to do about
itP Will you insist upon keeping the
South solid by demanding their selfdis-
honor, and then insist upon making the
North solid because the South refuses
seli.degradation at your demand2
Well, suppose you succeed? Suppose
you succeed, by your absurd and impos-
sible stories about the South, in making
every man in the North hate and distrust
every man in the South? Will that break
the solid SouthP Will that allay sectional
strife, or bring peace to the country pros.
perity to the nation or perpetuity to the
union7 have always believed the Sc
cessionists we're the most damaging en-
emies the South ever had. But they did
not intend damage. They intended to
relieve the conscience of the North on
the subject of slavery, and preserve their
own properly Oh their own rsjors bill.
ity. They were mistaken, but they wrre
not traitors. equally believe the Re-
publican party is the most dangerous
enemy the Union ever had. It lives on
seCtionaism. 1t teaches the North to
hate the South, and compels the South
to hate the North. II the people of the
North are not capable of seeing the end
of such a policy, they are incapable and
unworthy Of free government. The
Southern people lost fortune, fame and
power by the war. Here and there
man may be found who, by reason of his
connection with the war, has reached
positions for which he would never have
otherwise been thought Of, but there are
very few such. 1t would be unnatural
for such people to desire further sec
tional strife. But at the North there are
thousands of men who have made for
tunes by the war, and many have made
fame and power. Many are adulated
who, but for the mere luck of war would
never have been known. Millionaires
are on every hand, who but for the war
would be paupers. Is it unnatural for
men who have made 30 much by war,
not to regret its occurrence, nor to de-
preCate anotherP May not very many
others, who see these examples of war
fortunes, naturally desire or be willing
TO have like good luckp Is it slrarg ge
that leaders who have grown rich and
powerful by sectionalism, should desire
to make a solid North against a solid
South, and thus perpeluate their for.
tunes and powerP But it will be strange
If an intelligent people cannot penetrate
such transparent purpose, and prevent
it's accomplishment? Ihope and believe
the present will prove'a year of pnrga-
tion to the Democracy, and cleansing The
party of its internal feuds, and its run
ming after issues, will recall it to sound
principles and healthy condition for
1880. If 80, we shall be able to present
man for the Presidency whose nomin
alton will be an honor to the party, and
whose election will be an honor to the
people, and whose wisdom and patriotic
administration will inspire confidence in
all good men, will maintain the national
honor and the national credit, and ad.
vance both; from whose presence rogues
will retire abashed and under whose in
fluence sectionalism will wither forever.
Will my good friend, Mr. Chittendeu, for
whom | have the greatest personal re.
gard, support such manP
Yours very truly,
BENZ. q HILL.
The Hon. s. B. Chittenden,
NJ "