New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-07
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Ii seems that the good people of Ohio are
not unaware Of the grave responsibility which
rests upon them. The magnificent welcome
everywhere given in Ohio to Senator Blaine
must be taken, not only as an evidence Of
personal liking for the man, but as proof of
hearty and general sympathy with the idea
which he has SO cflectually pressed upon pub
lie attention. Mr.. Blaine holds it the first
duty of every patriotic citizen t. take care
that the disoyal element of the South does
not get control of the Federal Government.
For that belief he gives strong reasOns-the
lurking and malignant spirit of dislOyalty
which still shows itself in local laws. the con-
duct of the South with respect to the public
debt and every other form of Indebtedness,
the passionate interest shown throughout the
South IN war claims and jobs to empty the
Treasury and the desperate and revolution
arv behavior OF Southern men, and of the
party which they control at the extra
session of Congress. 1t used to be
sad OF Mr. Seward, by extreme South
en men, that he was all the more
potent in arouSing a mighty opposition to
Southern influence in National affairs because
ne was always free from personal rancor, and
spoke from convictions OF public duty which
personal prejudices and passions had no share
in shaning Mr.. Blaine is of the same tenn
per. He hates Southern disloyalty. Southern
lawlessness, Southern reputation, but has
not the least tinge of personal vindictiveness
toward the people or the political leaders of
the South as individuals. Precisely there he
best represents Northern temper. There is no
vindictiveness at the North, and no desire TO
iata tka tharp fnr
ANYTHING they have done in the past. But there
Is a deep-rootcd and abiding conviction that all
that is best in free institutions would be
thrown away, and that the honor and the very
existence Of the Union would be imperilled,
if the men who still show the spirit of dis
LOYALTY should succeed in gaining control of
the Government. His wonderfully hearty
welcome shows that i'll this Mr.. Blaine is in
accord with the loyal men of Ohio.
1t is the habit of Democratic writers and
speakers to represent that the money question
is a distinct and separate matter. about which
men may differ in opinion. whether they are
loyal or disloyal, from the South or from the
North. But there is one great fact which
Democrats strive to forget, though 1t shapes
the opinion and guides the action of almost
all intelligent men on that subject. The
public debt was created i'll suppresSing
Southern rebellion. All financial questions
turn upon the method of dealing with the
public debt, and the opinion of the South on
such questions is irevocably fixed by its
history. If the Southern people had become
heartily and thoroughly loyal, sincere in their
obedience to the Constitution and laws, ear
nest in enforcing all laws alike for the pro-
lection OF white men OF black, Republicans or
Democrats, and careful to consider the good
of the whole country instead of the advantage
of a lately rebellous section, the case would be
different That this is not the temper of the
Southern people as a whole the voters of Ohio
know right well. Among them they have
thousands Of Southern men by birth or by
opinion, and thousands more of Southern sym
pathiZers. The malignant spirit of these men
shows itself day by day, in every phase of So
cial or political life. and the voters of Ohio
do not need To be told that the men who have
that spirit are utterly unfit to be intrustcd
with the settlement of National finances, and
the adjustment of those questions upon which
the prosperity of all our industry depends.
Ohio is Il loyal State. Never has that State
failed, at any decisive moment. to east its
10 the Union. The people of the country look
10 Ohio for vote that shall make the land ring
with triumphant loyalty, did the victories
won by Ohio soldiers in the days that lie be-
hind us. II that spirit holds, Ewing and repu-
diation will meet an overwhelming rebuke.