Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-04
Not Too Fast.

We advise those who are inclined TO
place confidence in the utterances of Sena-
tor Hill of Georgia and some other ex-
Confederates, in regard to Southern claims,
not to be hasty in crediting what these gen
tlemen say upon this matter, lest they have
occasion to repent of it at some future
time. They are always ready to go in for
the "old flag when an appropriation is
pending in which the South is interested,
TO talk loyalty when that will answer their
ends, to be all meekness and cancellation in
speech when their interest demands these
things are done simply for effect. If we
desire to know the real sentiments of the
South we must get information from
the people at home, not from such
men as Hill and others. who talk one way
for the ears Of Northern people and very
different way when they are at home in
the South.
We have tried and proved the South
very thoroughly. We listened to their
promises in regard to the fairness with
which they would conduct towards the col
ored people if the national government
would trust them, but those promises have
been entirely disregarded. The colored
men, ifrepublicans, have few rights in South
Carolina, or Louisiana, or indeed in any of
the cotton States. which the democracy
feel bound to respect. They are almost as
much slaves as before the rebellion. They
may emigrate to be sure without taking
the underground railroad, if they can get
money to pay the bills, but that is very
difficult for them to do. Yet Southern
Senators tell us that these black men,
who are whipped, massacred, fright
ened away from the polls if they at
tempt to vote, or cheated out of their
rights by tissue ballots and fraudulent
counting, are treated with all fairness and
Justice. We know better. We know that
every pledge given for fair treatment to
them has been broken, so that emancipa-
ton to them thus far has been of but lit
tie advantage. e...
So when Southern Senators declare that
their section has no idea of presenting and
pressing claims against the treasury for
losses in the war, we may be well assured
that this is deception put forth to catch
unwary and easy-going Northern people.
Underneath this fair outside is the strong,
resolute, sleepless intention to press these
claims to the utmost when a favorable
opportunity presents itself. Let the
democracy elect President in 1880, and
then we shall see the true inwardness of
the South revealed upon this matter in
floods of claims upon the treasury. And
where will be the power to prevent their
passage in Congress and final payment
Every Northern democrat who would
dare oppose them would be stripped of all
influence in his party. The solid South
ern democracy with the necessary number
of doughfaces in the North, would control
the administration in all things. There is
no barrier against the payment of such
claims except the supremacy of the re-
publican party.
All Hills fine promises are no protec-
ton against the deluge that will come if
the democracy gain supreme power, and
Hill himself would be among those who
would vote to pay the claims, just as
Wade Hampton after all his pledges be-
came the leader of the red-shirt bripades
in South Carolina, and will gain seat in
the United States Senate through his per-
fidy. 1t would be the height of folly to
trust the words of men who have again
and again perjured themselves. Our safe
ty as people depends upon keeping the
helm in the hands of men who have ever
been true to the national government.
1T