National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-04-14
SECTlONALISNI.


cratic party for whatever of sectionalism
now exists within its borders. When the
war closed the South, which is the strong
hold of Democracy, ostensbly said to the
world, we accept the situation and here
after we are to know no North, no South,
no East, no West, and our conqucrors, who
had the most Greeks, and have turned the
tide of war against u.s. are to be our friends
without geographical dividing lines. The
laws of reconstruction were regarded under
all circumstances as fair and just alike to
all the people. They guaranteed rights
that are dear to every American citizen, and
which cannot be surrendered without n sur
render of manhood and the equities of polit-
ical relation. They secured to the freed
man and newborn citizen only such rights
rs are respected in the white man,
and under which the destinies of
the coOred race can only be wrought
out hOnorably and justly. This much was
due TO the colored citizen, and this much
and no more was expected and desired for
| him, and whenever they have been disre-
gurded or treated contemptuously the new
| bond of fellowship that had been formed
between the North and South was broken
by the latter section.
Ont of violation of good faith on the
part Of the whites in the South toward the
| principles and laws of reconstruction grew
n spirit of discomfort that has gradually
crystalzed into a feeling and purpose of
sectionalism Oh the part Of the South which
has proved more bitter and uncompromis-
ing, if possible, on their part than had ex-
listed at any period prior to the civil war.
When this contempt for the laws and the
principles therein embodied became mani
fest in the South, the natural result was q
feeling Of rcpugnance at the North that
could not he repTessed or controlled. The
assertion of State Rights rs supreme over
the Federal power in all the South
presented the gems of the worst feature OF
sectionalism, and challenged an antagOn-
ism that has strengthened daily until now
the dividing line is as distinct in its demar-
cation as it was when secession had wrought
its worst mischief and the South and North
became enemies at open war.
For this the North is in no degree respon-
sible. The issue has been determinedly pre-
sented by the Southern people, who began
early to make war against the results of the
bloody struggle, and has been reluctantly
but unavoidably accepted by that tpOrtion o
the people at the North who stood by the
Union during its perils. In this way the
nation has drfted into the waters of ;
sectionaism that is being daily embitterej
by arrogance on the part of the Soutl
in Congress and wild and offensive spirit
has been manifest that cannot be accepted
upon the plane of friendship and common
brotherhood. The South is as bitter toward
the North as at any period before the war o
during that struggle, and the North accept
the issue as presented, waiting the result, b
it what il may. There is to be no shrink
ing from this unfriendly issue, for to shrinl
lIom il would be imputed to cowardice, an,
,, , the North has neither lost its sel-respec
nor its courage, as the South win lear
when they are put to the test,