The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-10-16

pea, to thoughtful and just men in the North
for protection and support.
We are unable TO see in any existing condi
tons IA reason Why sdch protection should moi
he extended. Slavery no longer exists, 50 there
is absolutely no sentiment in the Sonth that
would favor It's restoration and scarcely any
that regrets It's destruction. The Union has
been reconstructed upon the basis of freedom
and political equality, and there is no element
IN the South that would attempt to have II
otherwise The sentiment has become prac.
ucally universal among tho Southern people
that the Union Is the best security 10 their lib
critics and the surest guarantee Of their future
prosperity and happiness. But they would
not conceal their dread of evil from the organi-
cation INTO political party Of all who are un-
friendly to them, tor the purpose OF CONTROL
ing the common Government to their oppres.
sion and injury.
We have sincerely regretted the failure Of
the republican leaders to recognize the true
situation in the Southern States Their mis-
takes and wrongful conduct, IN the execution
Of the Reconstruction acts, have CAUSED us 10
despair of their ability to establish mutual con
iidence and harmony between the sections
The sectional crumbs upon which they are
seeking 10 carry the pending election have
forced Us TO dlstrust their disposition to regard
the Southern people rs equals in the Union, or
worthy to he trusted rs participants IN the
common government Of their country. They
have year by year steadily driven from the
party in the South numbers Of It's utmost con.
sidcrate and earnest supporters, until they
have practically destroyed 1t in every South
ern state. lis revival in the future would be
placed beyond all possibility by the success
of their present attempt TO elect President by
sectional VOTE under the hostile attitude they
have made fins rnnpaipD
The nomination OF General Hancock has
placed the democratic party upon the most
elevated plane Of devotion To the Union, the
CONSTITUTION ana the execution OF the laws.
lie has pledged the country an administration
upon the safest and soundest principles OF free
Institutions, This pledge is guaranteed by his
proved devotion to the Union and his great
public services, and by the tirmuCss aud purity
of his private character. We confidently be-
lIeve that his election to the Presidency is the
safest and surest means Of removing all re-
naming obstacles to the perfect and peaceful
establishment of reconstruction upon the basis
nj freedom and political equality and of re-
storing complete reconciliation and confidence
between all sections OF the country and among
all classes of the people. The Southern peo-
pie would then divide upon other issues, with
no regard to race distinctions, and there would
soon he established 81 normal condition of po-
litical sentiment and action conducive alike
to the interests and happiness of both races
and to the general peace and welfare of the
whole country.
The address Is signed by some twenty five
names, all men of note such as Mr.. John Pool,
late republican L. S. Senator from North Caro-
lima; Jos s. Fowler, ex |. S. Senator from
Tennessee; Daniel Coleman, ex-Asslstant Post.
maste General; Judge Jas. II. Embry, of Ky;
Judge VIM. c. Riley, of Va; Geo. William.
son, of La, appointed by Grant L. S. Minister
to Central America; John Tyler, son of Presi-
dent Tyler &c, &c Indeed all of them are
men of weight aud character, who have hon
orably filled conspicuous posts as republicans
III their respective communities, and whose
enforced withdrawal from the party in which
they tried so long and earnestly to act an hon
orable part Is to each the evident occasion of
profound regret