Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-06

Congressman and Senator-elect Randall Glib.
son, Of Louisiana, is in the city. He leaves
here tomorrow for Cincinnati. where On Sat-
urGay night he is to speak. Gen. Gibson, in
conversation to day with STAR reporter, said
that the condition Of the south now Is admtra.
BILE in respect tot public order, industrial, moral
and intellectual development. He said: 1--WE
have not the political activity OF the north, for
cur population is scattered over a wider area
and for the most part engaged In agriculture
dhough we are now beginning mining and
manufacturing largely, and Is traditionally
conservative; but there Is no part Of the world
In which the entire people is so characterized
by the cultivation OF the great qualities of self
enterprise, moral and intellectual Improvement
This is In direct contrast OF its condition under
republican rule"
GREAT MISTAKE.
StGr:-"What Is the temper of the southern
people in respect to the federal constitution In
all its parts and to the union of the states? Is
there any desire for another form of government
or for any change in the organic law Of the
land?"
Gen. GtbSOn:-''The southern people are d.
voted TO the form of government Established OF
the federal constitution over the Union. The
Idea prevails with some tn the north that be-
cause the southern states desired a separation
from The northern states (inder an apyJreuen-
S on that their domestic security. on account of
slavery, was meDaced) that therefore they were
fnimical to the federal constitution. This Is a
great mistake. The federal constitution was in
the main formed by southern men; the only part
or II in which they had no voice was In
the amendments proposed after the civil war
bur Which they have now cordially accepted
for they embody the results Of the war. These
amendments prohibited slavery and the doc.
trlIe OF secession. With these exceptions the
Constitution stands generally as 1t came from
the hands OF our folefathers, and no southern
man to-cay can be found who would advocate
secession as remedy for any possible griev-
ance. or the restoration OF negro slavery. The
fact is, slavery would have been abolished in
a m NlrhO fIanyr fI3r
or three votes OF abOlishing 1t In the state Of
Virginia, had 1t not been that political party
was formed on 1t In the north, which threatened
The peace ard order and security of southern
society, and finally created resentments that
10 craftsmanship could overcome and that led
6IraIendna to the unhappy war. know Of no other
ouh han efeh tSe ongr 9e n0fa eRsenae ana ts o
slavery In the southern states and their more
vigorous attempt 10 Vindicate the idea Of the
dOctIine of secession. 1t must not be forgotten
that the northern states were once slave states
as well as the southern, and that the doctrine
OF secession was preached once In Massachu-
setts IS well as In South Carolina AS the two
sectors stand now what differences remain?
can see none Now, that 1t is over, we thank
God that we are rid OF slavery, aud that there
can De no sectional party in the north hostile 20
the south which Will not at The same time infiIcu
milar evils upon. the northern people for tc-
Cay we are one In interest. II would be as fool
tsh Ter southern man to rail against the exist
lug establishment OF government in the Uaited
States as Tor an Eugiishman whose ancestors
were loyal to the house of Stuart to deny his
allegiance to-day to the house of Hanover
THE SOUTH UPON s'REBEL CLAIMS"
SGr:-"How do the ex-cOnfederate popula-
ton regard the question OF payment for the
losses Of the war and southern claims gener-
aly?'
Gen. GtbSOR:-"I say unhesitatfngly that the
southern people are opposed TO the payment OF
What are called rebel claims-war claims.
These Claims are just what General Hancock
describes them TO be-a bugbear-a mere phan-
tom or republican Imagination 10 frighten the
portbern people out OF their senses. The amend
ment TO the Constitution prohibits the payment
OF these claims, and every member OF Congress
takes an cath to support the Constitution.
There were only three or four hundred thou
sand slave holders in the south. and no sane
man can believe that at this late day, when a
Lew generation OF voters has grown UP In the
sou Ia since the days OF slavery, that eight or
ten million OF people would be willing 10 tax
themselves for the benefit OF a few hundred
OF this country was such an absurd hue and cry
attempted TO be raised as this talk about the
payment OF southern claims"
THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE WILL PAY THE PUBLIC
Sar:-"What is the feeling and purpose of
fhe south IN respect to the public debt OF the
Ger. Gt6son:-"The feeling and purpose of
the south Is to pay the public debt Of the United
bound ourselves for 1t by accepting the amend
ment TO the constitutton-to pay it as men or
honor, for 1t was one of the Conditions under
rights ard privileges in the Union. Public
honor and public credit are one. The true In
terest and welfare OF every man, woman and
child In this country demand tnat the public;
credit and public honor should be maintained
/ violate"
THOSE FOUR NEW TEXAS STATES.
Sdr:-"A western republican journal has
spoken Of purpose to carve up Texas tutO
four Lew states Do you know of any such
purpose, and do you know OF any state north or
south that would be willing to consent TO a
oiyisioI?"
Gen. GibS0n:-"The idea of the democratic
party carving up Texas into four states Is based
upon iRnoraLce and Is absurd. Texas was ad-
mitted into the Union by a joint resolution, aad
the United States government agreed that
whenever Texas saw ut she could divide herself
into four more states, making five states in all
This msy be done oy Texas at any time, as wei
uL Ger republican as under democratic ad-
ministratton, for the right was guaranteed TO
her by treaty, and is independent wholly OF
parties. i have never seen aDyb Jdy from Texas
wi o was not opposed To the subdivision OF the
state, nor have ever seen a southern politfci
wLo v as so ignorant OF political history as to
snegts. hat ongress SHOULD undertake. to dl-
vice the state"