The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-08-12
END OF sECTIONALIsM.


END OF SECTIONALIsM.
Gen. Hancock, in his letter of ac-
ceptance, says: "The war for the
Union was successfully closed more
than fifteen years ago. All classes
of our people must share alike in
the blessings of the Union, and are
equally concerned in its perpetuity
and in the proper administration of
public affairs. We are in state of
profound peace. Henceforth let it
be our purpose to cultivate senti-
ments of friendship and not of ami
mostly among our fellow-citizens.
Our material interests, varied and
progressive, demand our constant
and united efforts. A sedulOus and
scrupulous care of the public credit,
together with a wise and economical
management of our government eX-
penditures, should be maintained in
order that labor may be lightly
burdened and that all persons may
be protected in their rights to the
fruits of their own industry. The
time has come to enjoy the sub
stantial benefits of reconciliation"
Such are the utterances of the dis
tinguished Union soldier who has
been chosen to lead the Democratic
party to victory in the November
elections. Such sentiments, too,
must be accepted MS expressing the
wishes of the great constitutional
party, upon which devolves the task
of re-establishing government on
the plans proposed and agreed up
on by its trainers. Nowhere does
Gen. Hancock meet with more
favorable response as to the har-
mony and friendship of sections
than in the South. The South
ern people struggled nobly for
independence, not because ii was
their especial desire to live outside
of the Union, but because the arro-
gance and unfriendly attitude OF
Northern people drove them to the
manly position assumed by them,
but when subdued these same peo-
pie earnestly desired peace, and they
have ever been ready to accept and
maintain it. No sooner had
the war ended than Southern
people sought friendly relations
with those of the North, and though
the South had been devastated with
fire and the sword, these people
emptied the last dollar in their pock-
cts into the Golfers of Northern
merchants and manufacturers. who
have again grown rich. as before the
war, upon the labor of the South.
While the South has sustained the
North, Southern producers have
been compelled to look more to for
eign nations for sustenance than to
the people of the North. We have
bought clothing and shoes and pro-
visions and home and farming uten-
sils from Northern people, while the
South has been compelled to enter
European nations to find purchasers
for its staple products. The balance of
trade is all on the side Of New York
and New England and the mill men
of the Northwest, and this has been
a voluntary and willing contribution
on our part. These are some of the
practical questions involved, which
show that the Southern people have
desired to live in harmony with their
late foes, and political features point
as definitely to this desire as do prac-
tical questions. The act of South
ern Democrats in accepting the
amendments TO the constitution, and
the subsequent support of Mr.. Gree
ley for the presidency, show an he
rOic self-denial, in the interest of
peace, that is unequaled in political
history. Truly may Gen. Hancock
look among Democrats, especially of
the South, for adherents who will
join him in sectional peace and
brotherhood. These people have
practiced ii for years, while the
bloody shirt has been raised over
their Northern brethren with telling
effect. Sectional peace must be es-
tablished, and it remains for South
ern Democrats, with a great Union
general as their leader, to accom-
plish il. Enmity has been kept alive
by the Republican party leaders,
and the strangest thing is, that they
have so long been able TO dupe
Northern masses. The very reasons
upon which former differences rest
ed are obliterated, and in such man.
ner and with such attending circum-
stances as to make their revival as
impossible as if they had never ex-
listed. Estimating the temper and
action of the people of the South
upon no higher ground than that of
plain self-interest, they could not be
supposed to desire anything else
than the welfare of the whole coun-