Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-05-23

1t is an encouraging sign to find that
there is sense enough in the heads of some
Southern men, few though they be. to see
what damage is done to the best interests
of their section by the bull-headed, fre-eat-
ing, States rights Democrats who represent
them in Congress, and in the columns of
most of the Southern journals Here is the
Memphis (Tenn.) Avalanche declaring that
"the extreme State sovereignty doctrine
held by the Southern politicians, and whose
practical assertion by secession in 1861 was
the immediate cause of the late war, can no
longer be entertained. If the war definitely
settled any one question other than that of
slavery, it was the question Of State sover-
eighty Here is the Louisville (Ky.) Courier
Journal maintaining that "the veto power is
as conclusive as the legislating power. We
cannot constitutionally coerce it. We can
only by two-thirds vote set it aside That
two-thirds vote we lack. The Republicans
are perfectly right in saying that refusal
to vote the appropriations is revolutionary. 1t
is more. 1t is revolution. 1t is more 1t is ruin"
The Vicksburg (Miss.) Herald says that the
South wants to raise good crops, to have
peace, contentment, prosperity and good
feeling, and does mol want political strife or
uncertainty concerning taxation, appropria-
tons or political measures. If Congressman
have caused the special session and are now
prolonging it under the impression that the
South demands this policy. they have made
a great mistake and the sooner they pass the
appropriation bills, in such form that the
President will sign them, and adjourn, the
better they will please their Southern con-
sttuents'
And most noticeable and surprising of all
the discovery has been made by the Charles
ton Nocs and Courier that Northern Repub-
licans are not Indignantly hostile to the
South, but would be willing to make any rea-
sonable concessions if assured that they
could do 50 safely. While the South is
solid politically and enfOrces its demands
by threats of starving the Administration
into compliance, the Charleston paper sensi-
bly, thinks Republicans cannot be blamed for
resisting the demands 30 asserted. ln the
course Of d long article in this strain the
Mans and Courier says
There is very little doubt but that tho |
masses Of the Northern Republicans would |
grant us anything We asked, could they be- |
licye that they dared to do 80, but thew soc |
IN our demands, and the manner of ASSERTING |
them, the position Of Appomatto1 reversed. |
They tear the consequences of Welding every
thing that Is asked, not knowing but that the |
Union Is still IN danger If they surrender
Their hands to be tied. They are alarmed at
the course oil the majority in Congress, and
are looking to their own seli-preseryation.
What can we reasonably expect them to
do, when we are advancing in solid column.
and demanding OF the President what he has
the right to refuse, under the Constitution.
and which was not absolutely necessary for
Us to ask at the present time2 We have
everything IN South Carolina lust as we
wanted 1t We have selected our best men to
Oihce without any trouble for the want of
tne'e hU'numeht1. ana IN the interest of
peace and harmony all over the land might
have suspended these demands until return
ing confidence in Democratic loyalty to the
Union had won from the Republicans them
selves perfect willingness to have voted
with US IN the repeats that we ask.
1t is a pity that the South has not more
journals able and willing to maintain this
moderate and sensible tone in the discussion
Ol Oliticll affairs. The Northern men have
no lll-will for any Southern man who accents
thoroughly and heartily the results of the
war. We fought our Southern brothers in
order That we might live with them in
uture, and not be compelled forever to hold
hem at arms end Intending still to live
With them in our Union, we, of course,
would like to be on good terms with them,
I they will let US. But South, solid in
hcri7hing the theories Of government. the !