New-York tribune., 1879-06-10
NOT 4 QUESTION OF SENTIMENT

There seems to be q strong desire in some
parts of Massachusetts TO celebrate the ap-
preaching Fourth Of July by addresses from
distinguished Southern orators, and the news
papers of that State are discussing the propO-
sition, as is their wont, with great and solemn
earnestness, as though it were a movement
of extraordinary significance. Among the
orators who have been suggested is Mr..
jefferson Davis. 1t is believed by the
persons who are moving in the mat
ter that great good will be accomplished
in this way, by bringing the representative
men of the South in contact with Northern
people, and thus promoting mutual respect
and goodwill. 1t is not improbable that
such would be the effect, though we are
far from attaching so much Importance
to il as those who are discussing 1t
seem to. There have been some interchanges
of courtesy and kindness of similar DurpOrt
since the war closed, and sentimental people
have looked for great results in a political
way from the manifestations of sympathy and
friendliness and the glowing oratOry with
which the OCCASIONS were adorned. 1t is well
to have these demonstrations of fraternal feel
ing between the two sections and to make
much Of them. If they do not affect political
relations, they at least soften the asperities of
political warfare and promote harmony and
peace by making us better acquainted with
each other.
We may as well bear in mind the fact,
however, that the political differences between
the Republican party and the Democracy
with their Solid South are not sentimental !;
they are practical and they are radical.
fl -hn fpnt, tha
Solid South to give expression to their alec-
tionate regard for the Union and their
desire for thorough reconciliation and
lasting peace, are not looking for Re-
publicans but for their old associates
and allies in the party which sympathized
with them before and during the war. That
is their natural afiiliation. They are quite
willing to say that there is no danger of an
other rebellion that they accept the results
of the war to the extent that they do not
propose ever to renew it; but they have
never accepted the results of the war in the
sense of admitting the supremacy Of the
Nation and the subOrdInatiOn of the
States. With their first opportunity upon
reaching partial power they renew the
old issue. The Republican party holds
that that question was settled by the war !;
and we go to the people upon it. No express
sons of friendship nor utterances of senti-
ment nor demonstrations of goodwill can
erase the fact of this radical antagonism. 1t
is quite possible, TO be sure, to discuss il with
out heat, and in good temper; and all demon
stratOns Of kindness between the two sections
contribute more or less to this end but the
difference, the antagonism, is there all the
time, and we have TO recognize 1t.
A great deal of nonsense has been talked
in the newspapers and in Congress about the
bitterness felt toward the South by Northern
Repnblicans, the evidence of which they
claimed to find in the sudden energy of the
uprising throughout the North against the
Solid South. The TRIBUNE has repeatedly
directed attention to facts which reiute
the charge of sectional hate. We can
not put out of sight the fact - and
we would not if we could - that the
country stands to-day confronting the same
lssue that was presented in 1861 and that
though happily we have now to debate 1t in
the FORUM and not in the ield-it has lost
none of its importance. We fought a useless
war If at its close we give up the doctrine of
National supremacy and admit the Union
IN he n rope of sand, with no power
residing in its Constitution to en-
force its laws and preserve its life. For
the motives OF the persons who are hoping to
do so much good by inviting Southern ora
tors 10 deliver Fourth OF July OratiOns at the
North. we have nothing but respect. They
are undoubtedly sincere and honest. But
they are expecting altogether too much If
they hope In this way TO wipe out differences
which are radical and vital, and have nothing
70 do with the emotions. Our Southern friends
tell us with great frankness that they have not