New-York tribune., 1879-01-04
NORTH IND SOUTH.

The characteristic letter from Mr.. William
Lloyd Garrison, which we publish tins
morning. is far from representing the tenn
pcr of those whom it is becoming the fash
ion to describe as "stalwart Republi-
leans" but 1t is impossible to deny
that there is solid basis of truth
for its statements and provocahon Tor
lis savage tone. The feeling of the loyal
North toward the States Of the COnledelacy
is one of bitter disappointment rather than
resentment. The difficulties under which the
South has had to labor have been fully APP
prcciatcd. Every possible allowance has
been made for its trying situation; and
we have gone on hoping almost against
hope for the day of reace, justice,
and prosperity, which shall restore that
long troubled region to its proper place among
self governing communities. But as we have
seen our cordial advances despsed and oar
forhelrance abused, the conviction has been
forced upon us that the SOutl is not Yet ready
for the rev civilization, and that before we
indulgeauy further IN the luxury of generosity,
we must insist upon fair play.
SIX or seven years ago there was an earnest
demand throughout the Northern States for
reconciliation" The republican instincts, as
well as the kindly feelings of the people, re-
volted at the idea of holding conquered
States in military suhjection, and there was
no hesitation in accepting all the promises
offered by the Southern Democrats, or in be-
leving that the few leading politicians who pro-
fcsSed a desire to clasp hands " and treat the
negroes as American citizens represented the
sentiments of the people i'll whose name they
spoke Whether our trust was rash or not Is
now useless question but 1t was inspired
by the best impulses, and i'll any land where
the finer feelings OF men had not been bhghed
bv the curse of generations of slavehOldlng,
it would have called out a frank return. Again
a few wears later, when the abuses OF carpet
bag misgovernment were disclosed, the North
rose up and insisted that they should be
stopped. Northern Republicans brought them
to hight. Northern Republicans abolished
them. 1t was the unworthy followers of
their own party against whom the refOrmers
and liberals Of that time made war. The
sense of justice was stronger with thCiA than
the sense of partisan advantage; and they
were no more willing that the South should
be pillaged by Republican thieves than that
it should be ruled by Republican satraps.
We insisted upon fair play then. We insist
upon fair play now. We demanded that the
North should respect the constitutional
rights of the other States, and allow
the white Inhabitant OF them an equal
chance with his enfranchistd slave. We
demand that the South shall respect our
rights now, and leave the cOlOred voter unmo-
Tested in the exercise of the privileges we
fought to secure him. There shall be one rule
for both halves of this country, and the Repub-
Iicap partv will never rest until that rule is rec
ognized and rigidly enforced. 1t has no animosity
toward the South. 1t will rejoice whenever the
two sections are able TO "clasp hands in sin
cere friendship. But the only solid foundation
of the Union is Justice. The "bloody shirt
as political trick, was inexcusable. But the
"red Shirt" as symbol of intimidation and
fraud, is far worse; and so long as the solid
South displays that standard it will meet with
continual defeat from a solid and perfectly
unsentimental North.