Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-22
L0nsstreet and the Cabinet.

Among the various rumors as to the
coming Cabinet is one to the effect that
Grant, Conkling, Kellogg and others of
the cold Guard" are urging upon the
President the expediency of selecting
General Longstreet as a representative
from the South. What effect it is expected
that this selection, if made, would have
upon the South is not stated. 1t, Ger
tainly, would not change the estimate
that the Southern people have been com
PEELED to put upon Republicanism as
they see it. While the South, in COM
mon with the rest of the country, de-
sires to see a Cabinet worthy of the con-
fdence of the people, she is quite in
different whether she is represented IN
it or not. 1t is doubtful if she could be
wOrthily represented in a Republican
Cabinet at all, and she would not feel
the least piqued if passed over when the
next comes to be made up. MIR. Hunts
selection excited no great appreciation,
and the selection of General Longstreet
would beget even less.
On the contrary, if she were impressed
at all. it would be with a sense of
humiliation, not for aught that can be
charged against the man morally, but at
the knowledge that his political apostacy
was his passport to the favor of those
who have the Presidents ear. General
| LOngstreet was sincere or insincere in
the position he took when the time came
for him to choose between the cause of
his people and that of their enemies. He
chose the first. In recognizing the YER
dict of the sword he did as every other
reasonable Southern man did, but he
went further, and espoused principles at
variance with those of his people, and
became thereby the spOlOgist of their
OppressOrs. For the soldier his people
have regard, and they will think of him
at his best. For the politician
they have no concern. His fortunes
are naught to them. He is not repre-
sentative Southern man in any sense of
the word, and his selection. if meditated,
would not impress the South with the
discretion or sincerity of the President.
As a political move, it would be more
stupid than the choice of ''Erring Broth
err Key. The time has not come, and
we trust never will, when the dole of
few paltry offices, dispensed by whomsO-
ever Republican administration may
select, will change the convictions OF
any marked number of the Southern
people upon the vital questions that our
social fabric presents.
The South asks nothing but to be
accorded the right to pursue I'M
disturbed the march of progress
and prosperity. The Federal Gov
eminent, by whOmsoever administer
ed, can benefit her by strict attention to
its own affairs. Her necessities have
united her people against those who
have wrought her such i'll. but she is
ready to measure any changed profes-
sions of the Radical party by its perform
ances. In that union of her people she
has prospered, and when it dissOlves it
will be by other agencies than the far
cical tactics of the late Mr.. Hayes, which,
it is to be hoped, President Arthur will
not be so stupid as to copy. If he cares
anything for the feelings of the Southern
people he will spare them the need of
thinking about their representation in
his Cabinet at all.
If he wishes 10 divide them in opinion
the only effective way is to send
among us the preachers Of the spade,
the pillow. the loom and industry in all
its forms. When such men shall come
and cease to talk of loyalty and the rest
of the Overdrawn capital of Radicalism,
they will get a hearing. Since he can
only do his individual part to this end,
the best course for him in his exalted
station is to leave us to ourselves. When
the South cares to change her views on
any given question she will give due
notice.