National Republican., 1880-11-11
SECTIONAL Solidarity.

sECllONAL SOLIDARITY.
As it now looks the solid north, or rather
the unanimity of that section Of the coun-
try as advertised in the result of the late
election is not treated with indifference at
the south. 1t was shortsightcd policy in
the south to crush out the political senti- |
ment of the majority of that section to
make it solid for the democratic or any |
other party. The people there should have
known that when they cast the glove at
the feet of the north in that shape it !
would be promptly taken up, with the
result that has followed. The north has
suffered two great griefs. The first, the
rebellion, which was subdued at great eX-
pensc of life and treasure. The next, that
the south, when it proiessed to surrender
the principles for which LEE and JACKSON
fought, did not do so faithfully, aud for
the reason that they did not submit to the
results of the war with loyal hearts and
accept the amendments to the constitution
and the laws OF reconstruction in II becom-
ing spirit. These omissions on the part Of
the southern people have created u feeling
of distrust in the north which does not
promote or cultivate feeling of good fell
lowship and respect If the north had not
been disappointed in these expectations its
people might have disregarded the chal-
lenge rendered by a solid south. But they
are jealous Of the principles that were set
! tied by the results of the war. They will
never consent tamcly that the fundamental
,rin pr . q, ,r,
ernmcnt shall be tramplcd under foot with
impunity. They insist and will continue
to insist that the right Of suffrage shall be
held sacred and inyiolate in every state of
this union. They demand that every
American citizen shall enjoy the free exer-
else of the ballot according to the dictates
of his own conscience, without interference
or prohibition of any sort and, further,
that the vote so cast shall be honestly
counted. This done, aud there will be no
root of bitterness left to divide us and en-
gender enmities between the sections but
until it is accomplished a preponderating
north will confront II solid south, that has
been made 50 by methods inconsistent with
justice, right and harmony.
That the powerful consolidation of north
ern feeling and sentiment and its array as
in the late election is alarming to the south
is not strange. 1t speaks volumes to the
southern section in the way of admonition
1t tells that people that they cannot triGe
with the rights of citizenship and attain
power in this government by such agencies
Unless it changes its policy in this regard
it will he consigned to an impotent minor
ity condition in the nation. Although in
the late election the south presents an un.
broken front, the shell of lis solidarity ha.
been shattered. In Virginia the solid south
has received severe blow, which will be
repeatea IN the future. The country is in.
debted more to General MALONE for having
! shattered the bourbon power than to any
other one mau in the country, and it il
gratifying 10 believe that he will follow VI
l his advantage until the bourbon party o
t that state is ground to atoms and its deJri
| Is scattered to the four winds The treat
t ment that he has received from the bour
: bon party ever since his detection forbid
= that he shall ever return 10 its embrace
He has become its impacable foe, aud will
in the future effect such combinations o
= power in that state as will accomplish tn
!, inevitable aud permanent overthrow of tn
. bourbon party. What lie may do in th
senate we have no means of knowing. Blu
this much we firmly believe-Gencral Ma
HONE a. senator will not affiliate with tha
y party which holds all the power it ha
= through elements aud methods which hav
challenged most earnest antagonism oI
his part, and which exist to-day in the iul
ness Of their strength. General MAHoN
is a positive man, who has marked out hi
It own course in the way of policy, and hO
c established his line Of battle, which will
II maintained with stern determination unit
e the struggle is over and the victory is wol
r We may not agree with him in all tn
It things he may do, but the great purpose
If his political action commands our syn
Il pathics