Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-01-16
SENTIMENT AND EN-
T'ERPRLSE.

From the moment at which the thunders
of artillery ceased at Appomattox Court
House TO the present hour it has been in
cessantly beloved into the public ear by the
leaders of our party, and of course endorsed
by Radical expression, that there must be
no expression of opinion on the part Of the
Southern people as to the political policy of
the country. That they must abstain from
all expression either az 10 men or measures.
They must, say our friends, be firm and de-
cided in the support Of any candidate that
is given them and unwavering in the mainte-
nance of any policy as laid down. We will
make the platforms and select the candi-
dates. You must endorse the one and your
"solid vote" must be given in the support Of
the other
In this day of political progress, recupera-
ton and national growth, it is hourly grow
ing to be question of considerable signih-
canoe whether or not the "sold South" will
continue TO be made longer the "hewers of
wood and the drawers of water" She has
passed through fiery ordeal and has suf-
fered sufficiently long as the dupe of political
speculation. While one portion of the
country has grown in power and opulence,
she has become weakened and impoverished
During the struggle of the past fifteen years
the fact has been thoroughly demonstrated
that she has within herself all the resources
and elements of prosperity. The fertility of
her soil, the endless variety of her produc-
tons. the profusion Of her mineral wealth
and the diversity and grandeur and beauty of
her scenery; traversed by beautiful streams,
fanked by cloud-capped hills, her immense
vallys, which, if not studded with primeva
forests towering to an altitude bewildering
to the senses, TEEN with rich and varied
produce, the fruits of the Tropics and the
productions Of the Temperate Zone COM
mingle in her soil, whilst mineral springs,
bubbiing up from the earth, furnish from
natures laboratory medicated draughts for
human ills--all of these are attracting hither
foreign capital and giving employment to
numbers of people.
Inventive genius is beginning to find am
pie scope for its enterprise and magnificent
rewards for its merits A new spirit has
entered her social and political life and be-
come incarnate in the practical development
of her resources. Enterprise is to be trav-
erse forsaken and forbidden fields, and the
general diffusion of education is to elevate
her social organization, whilst harmony and
conciiation has drawn the vail OF oblivion
over ancient feuds and fierce contentious.
She has wisely managed and so shaped her
political course as to be in the full possession
of all of the powers of her State govern
ments. In the place of her foremost men
no longer appear accidental heroes and
political schemers. Men of bad repute, sullied
character and feeble intellect, are not in
augurated as Governors, nor State legisla-
lures reek with venality, ignorance and dis
honor. The judicial ermine is no longer
soiled with the filth of politics, and briehess
to debase justice and law by crude decis.
ions, indecent department and vulgar habits
Senatorial dignity has ceased to descend tc
the illiterate adventurer, the brazen trickstel
and the plant tool of faction Intriguing
politicians and corrupt partzans are spurneC
as unclean lepers and the rough element o
the community is no longer suffered to die
tate as to the advisability of this or that leg
islation, whilst "rings," which are forme,
to plumber tho excheqAer and burden tn
community with onerdus taxes, are swep
4 from existence.
BY her present wise and prudent Stat
legislation, Imagination struggles in vain L
draw a picture of her fruitful and beautiful
future. Under the constant and hardy strokes
of an industrious yeomanry all trace of wars
devastation will soon be effaced by the boun.
tiful yield Of her staple products, augmented
by the employment of free labor and the ap
plication of mechanical ingenuity to i'm
proved modes of culture Being true t.
themselves, they may yet realize the fabl,
of lcarus and Daedalus-by bearing pre-
cious freights of life and TO treasure every
quarter OF the habitable globe.
| Whilst II may generally be admitted tina
any platform which the Democracy is likely
to make and any nomination that conven
ton will offer would receive at least ma
jority of the votes Yet it cannot DO denieC
that the South is large and important sec
ton of the country, possessing such re
sources as We have mentioned, imbued witt
such spirit OF enterprise as We have en-
deavored to show, and, therefore, holding
vital interest in all those questions of gov
eminent which affect her social, fnsncia
and commercial interest, that she would NO
unqualifedly surrender them to crafty tn
wishes of one or two States. The Southern
people are regarded as being firm and de
voted in their attachments, loyal to princi
pie and faithful TO associations They bea
a profound feeling of respect and gratitud
to that party which has thrown the weigh
| VI lls luuucnCc III tucI DcHhll, peHuluB vi
trying ordeal through which they hav
passed, yet il is not TO be assumed that sh
cares not wither she is led or whose name
printed on the folds and boon at the head q
the Democratic column.
The general tones of the Southern pres
most clearly indicate that the Southern PEG
pie have gathered wisdom and experience
from their sad adversely, and that they hav
reached that point In political philosophy an
morals, when they will not stand silently b
and allow policy repugnant to their fee
ings or interest to be engraited as part q
the Democratic platform or programme
That whilst ii is not at all likely they vii
present the name Of any one Of theiF fame
sons 20 the consideration OF the convention
il is more than probable they will take oC
casion 10 give expression 10 their views upo