The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-02-26

all things, to put an end to the sectional
ism which has made them. But the Re-
publican party cannot keep alive that
sectionalism if the Northern masses can
once fully understand the present feelings
and views of the Southern people; and
therefore the leaders and journals of
tue Republican party are determined that
the masses of the North. never shall un-
derstand the masses of the South. 1t is
to prevent the Northern people from un-
derstanding the Southern people, that
the leaders, Journals and beneficiaries of
sectionalism have persistently misrepre-
sented everything in the South, with all
the energy which the greed for power
can inspire. ~
In the last Presidential count the
Southern Democrats insisted upon sub
mitting to the loss of President, elected
by the people, rather than hazard the
dangers of another civil war. Yet Repub-
lican leaders who knew this fact, and
who in private here expressed warm ad-
miration for it, went home to their peo-
pie and represented that the country
would be in danger again, if the South,
with the Democratic. party, should again
obtain power! And every Republican
partisan paper daily EMPHASIZED the
falsehood. :. ,Ls
During the late extra session it was
we'll known that while the Southern
Democrats desired the repeal of certain
laws, and most especially an odious jury
law, under which nearly all the white
men in the South could be excluded from
the Federal jury box, they were yet de-
termined never to adjourn without voting
appropriations to support the govern.
ment. Yet the Republicans, who knew
this, brazenly represented to the North
ern people "that the rebels, having failed
to shoot the government to death, were
seekiug to starve it to death l"-and all
the Republican papers repeated the Sian.
der. Southern Democrats have admitted
on all occasions that secession was settled
by the war, and it would be treason tc
attempt again to assert it. But because
they believe what the Constitution so
plainly says, "that the powers not dele
gated to the United States are reserved
to the States respectively or to the peo-
ple," these Republican leaders and jour-
nails have actually sought to create q
panic at the North by affecting to believe
the South is again reviving the doctrine
of secession. - -
These instances, with many others,
illustrate the two great facts, ~ that the
Southern people desire to allay sectional
ism, and (2) that the Republican party,
as a party, is determined that sectional
ism shall be kept alive. The truth is the
Republican party is the essence of sec
tionalism. Outside of sectionalism that
party has neither history nor policy nor
purpose nor prospects. When it shall
cease to be sectional twill cease to exist.
But sectionalsm is the very death of the
South. We can have neither hope nor
life, save in a broad constitutional ma
tionalism. 1t is not possible, therefore,
for Gen. Grant, or any other man nomi-
mated by the sectional Republican party,
to carry single Southern State. i ad
init that the Democratic party is not in
all respects what we desire. There is
much in the history of that party can
not approve, and it vacillates now on
some questions in q manner which is
notifying. But with all its faults, it is
the only party in sight with which any
man can affiliate who sincerely desires to
fraternize the feelings, nationalize the
interests and 'constitutionalize the gov
ernment of the American people.
That would indeed be a glorious move
ment which could bring all good patriots,
North and South, who hate sectionalism
ard desire to return to honest govern
ment into cordial cooperation. The
Southern people would hal such move
ment with delight. We of the South pre-
sent no names for Presidential honors. l
believe the very best thing which could
happen would be an administration of the
government by wise Southern states
man, for it would be the pride and pleas
ure of such statesman to so administer
our national affairs as to Danish from the
minds of the Northern people the last
vestige of distrust and apprehension of
Southern national fidelity growing out Of
past sectional controversies. But we are
aware that the sectional temper of the
North is not in condition to reason
calmly on this subject, and would not
DrOOk SUCH SuSSeSlioI' 1ueieioioj ho
thoughtful man in the South is even ex-
pecting such honors. All that we expect
or ask is that Northern statesmen shall
be presented who will do equal justice to
all sections, and whose lives show that
they do not regard the abuse and cal
umny of any section as test of loyalty
to the Union. There are many such
statesmen in every State of the North in
both parties; but not one such is even
spoken of for the Republican nomination.
I can name men in New England-even
in Massachusetts-who would administer
the government in spirit worthy of
Washington, and either one of whom the
Southern people would rejoice in aiding
to elevate to that high position.
After all, such men must ultimately be
chosen, or the people will lose the right
to choose at all. The people must end
the triumphs of fraud, or fraud will end
the liberties of the people.
Very truly yours,
BENZ. II. HILL.