Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-11-26
THE SOLID SOUTH.

the profusion of her mineral wealth and the
grandeur and beauty of her scenery.
The genial climate of this beautiful and
favored land invigorates the body, stimu-
lates the intellect and develops the human
system. Capacious harbors all along her
coast allure trade and commerce to her
shores-beautiful streams irrigate her lands,
and vineyards are prodigal of generous wine
to please the taste and warm the heart
Everything in this enchanted land appears
to have been prepared for the wants and en-
joyments Of man. 1t is the land of wealth,
of industry, of ardent zeal, dauntless energy
and aspirations. Her people have ever been
regarded as brave, generous and hospitable
Notwithstanding the strength and profu-
sion Of her native resources and the noble
characteristics of her people, it is manifestly
evident that popular sentiment at the North
is most thoroughly saturated with hate tow
ards this section of the country.
The close of our civil war witnessed the
complete abrogation of the institution of
slavery, as it did the vindication and resto-
ration of the Federal Union. The Union
restored and slavery abolished and the
Southern people accepting the situation in
truly loyal spirit, it was supposed that with
whatever Of sectional hate that had existed,
removed there would exist reciprocity of
feeling and interest in social, political and
commercial point of view.
The Southern people by their frank &C
.ceptance of what had "been accorded them
by the arbitrement Of the sword" gave every
evidence of their desire to forget the past, to
rebuild their broken fortunes, to obliterate
all sectional animosities, and to inaugurate
a feeling of harmony and generous rivalry.
In arriving at this conclusion they were sup
ported by all the truly representative men of
the South. The will and energy, herculean
and almost without parallel, as exhibited
in their respective avocations, was living
exemplification of their sincerity.
1t is a fact that has passed into history as
to how this spirit was received and regarded
at the North. How, in the very incipiency
of their return to the support of the general
government and the reconstruction of their
State governments, whilst their very home
steads were smoking from the torch of an I'M
bridled soldiery, and they were gathering
the bones of their brave dead that lay bleach
ing upon every hillside; a swarm of politi-
cal adventures and plunderers swooped
like vultures in their midst. Andhounded on
by the Northern press, and supported by
Federal bayonets, they were enabled to get
possession of the courts and State eglsla-
lures, and finally succeeded by corruption
and peculation in stopping all of the indus
tries and paralizing the energies of the
people
1t was the evils flowing from such state
of affairs, that compelled the Southern
people to adopt policy of determined ex-
clusiveness," in order to defend their homes
and their personal liberties from such wicked
nvasions-invasions that were terrible in
themselves and utterly ruinous in their con-
sequences.
1t is very easy to discern from such
state of affairs, that it was self-preservaton
the very first law of nature, which compel led
the people to form solid combination in
order TO remove this character of men and
destroy those evils which were the result of
the mal-administration of official power
This was done and without violation of law
or the infringement of any personal rights.
Having accomplished the desired purpose in
spirit of magnanimity, equaled only by
the bravery and resolution they had exhib-
tied in the accomplishment of their cause,
they to-day present spirit of political liber-
alism in their midst unsurpassed by any
section Of the Union.
The South is politically solid, from causes
which by reason of their nature have COM
PEELED them to be so. To be otherwise, she
would be false to herself-she would prove
libel upon her brave boys who offered up
their lives in behalf of her honor and her in
situations
Politically solid, experience has sufii-
GENTLY demonstrated that there are causes
existing which require that it is to her in
terest to be socially and commercially solid
Hated, despised, vilified and misrepresented
by the North she should stand segregated
from such apeople in all that would add to
their material progress.
The South has within herself every ele-
ment essential to her social and material
growth and her true interest plainly dictates
that she should live within herself
II has grown to be an old and truthful
adage that the only way to get at the
Northern people and bring them to their
senses is "to touch their poe kets," This the
South can do. Let her cut off all CONNER
cial communication, build her own manu-
tacturies. In those States where these en-
terprises have been established they have
proved to be largely remunerative. Her
water power is almost unequaled, the Poto-
mac river alone can drive more spindles
than all the New England States combined
Her rail and water facilities for transporta-
ton are extensive, forming complete net
work. Every pound of cotton, as well as
her surplus tobacco, sugar and rice can be
shipped to foreign markets.
What would be the result if this course
were pursued by the Southg Why New
England merchants and New England OPP
eratives would be compelled to go upon the
European markets for their commodities,
which can now be had at their doors, and
which is iniuslng wealth and support among
people who are loud in their denunciation OF
the South. In relation to this very point,
the Port Tobacco Times in closing very
able editorial upon the condition ofthe South
takes occasion TO remark
Let the Northern stalwarts not deceive
themselves with the deusion that recent
success in appealing TO the prejudice of the
ignorant masses of the North, and continu.
ing their lease of governmental power by
waging a sectional contest, will have the
effect Of coercing the Southern people into
an utilization with their party. Let them
rather make up their minds TO stand upon
the foundation of sectional hate upon which
/ they have elected 10 nlaQ0 Themselves and