Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-12-04
Gen. Cameron ON the Flu
tUrQ.

week, and the venerable retired
statesman gave him his views of
men and politics quite freely
There are few ADLER and more
level headed men in the couatry
than he, and any utterances made
after his long experience in public
life, receive, as they should, just
consideration. We select the fol-
lowing extracts from the interest
ing interview:
"Yes it was great campaign"
said General Cameron, "and be-
sides being the most demonstra-
tive, it was really the most impor-
tant that has taken place since
Lincoln's first election. Garfield's
success means the destruction of
sectionalism in America, and be-
fore another Presidential election
the solid South ought to be thing
of the past. The shrewdest men
of that section are now beginning
to see the current of public opinion
in the North and are setting their
faces in the right direction. What
the South wants is material pros
perity, more money more indus
trious people. These it must get
from the North, and to get them,
there must be better civilization
there. They must show a higher
respect for the rights of capital
and of persons. The South must
acquie5ce heartily and fully in the
results of the war and must unhes-
itatingly respect the civil and po-
litical rights of all men and of all
classes, black and white. 1t is
fair land, and the Southern people
have many good impulses, but
what they want and must have ia
less sentiment and more practical
effort. The young men especially
are getting to understand this, and
are breaking away from the old
traditions and the old leaders, and
this defeat will help them to do it.
They see that they have been tied
to the corpse long enough. And
when the element finds a bold
leader it will get courage enough
to rebel, and whenever and wher-
ever it does act with vigor and in
telligence it will win. The aristo-
cratic element declares that this
revolt is by the negroes and poor
whites. Very " ell; that may be
true: but it is the majority ele-
ment in every Southern State
which will compel respect for its
rights by its moral force, for the
very theory of our Government is
that the majority must rule. Any
how, the rich and heavy landed
are never the first to move in rev.
olutiOns, and that is what this is.
Malone in Virginia is giving an
example of what can be done with
force and intelligence. l regard
his movement as of the greatest
Importance, far above petty poll
ties and small politicians. 1t
means a freedom of thought and
expression for the black man of
Virginia, and indeed the whole
South, that can be obtained in no
other way than by the success of
just such revolution as he has in
augurated. Ex-Governor Brown
of Georgia, l see, is also leaning
in the same direction, and has a
great opportunity, if he will only
embrace it, as believe he will
He is a broad man, and, like Ma
hone, has an intelligence and posi-
ton that cannot be gainsayed.-l
This independent spirit must be
aided and encouraged in every pos
sible way, for it is the only solu-
ton of the Southern question, and
really the only way to aid the
Southern people.
FAITH IN GARFIELD'S POLICY,
81 have great faith in General
Garfield. l believe he will do,
during his administration, Just
what will contribute to the end /
have indicated and destroy sec
tionalism in this country. You
can see how important this is. We
do not want one section of this
country arrayed against another,
either in politics or interest of any
kind. 1t keeps up CALLING fric-
ton which prevents Us from be-
ing what we should be-one har-
monious people. Garfield is a
broad man who sprung from the
common people and can appreci-
ate such a struggle as the lately
servile element in the SoHth must
make before perfect freedom comes
to them. He has also had Just
such an experience as we'll fit him
for the work before him. He has
had several tests of poverty and
hard pull all the way. He has
also enjoyed some of the fruits of
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