Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-04

A few days ago it was announced
that the members of the Women's Ma
tionsl Christian Temperance Union had
called on the President, and, during the
interview which ensued, Mrs. Chaplin, of
South Carolina, prayed His Excellency
that in him her poverty stricken section
might find friend. In response to this
appeal the President said that he was in
entire sympathy with the South in her
recuperation, and was determined that,
during his administration, so far
as he was able to direct it,
no section of the country should be
favored over any other. This is the most
encouraging symptom which has yet
been developed to indicate that President
Arthur intends to make his administra-
ton national rather than stalwart. 1t is
fair to presume, too, that when the
President gave Mrs. Chaplin that assur-
ance his manner was impressive and con
veyed the idea of sincerity. At least
that lady evidently was well satisfied,
for she thanked him, and told him she
would take his words back home to her
people for their comfort.
We truly hope that Mr.. Arthur will
substantiate his words by his deeds. He
has heretofore given serious ground for
the fear that he was "a stalwart of the
stalwarts, and that his administration
would be characterized by unfriendli-
ness to this section. When the spectacle
of Grant following him everywhere, re
fusing to leave him, and constantly push
ing himself to the front without once be-
ing told by the President Get thee be-
hind me, -" was presented to the
country. it certainly was a grave source
of apprehension. Aud when, besides
this, Mr.. Arthur announced that
he did not consider General
Longstreet, even with his super loyal
post 6eLium record-and after he had re-
ceived distinguished honors from
Grant and Hayes-to be sufficiently
worthy of confidence to be entrusted with
a Cabinet portfolio, naturally enough
this apprehension grew in strength. The
only conclusion which could possibly be
arrived at was that Mr.. Arthur, although
it has been more than sixteen years since
the South honestly accepted the situa
ton, and has, time and time again, given
unmistakable evidence of her honesty,
still believed her dislOyal, and was, at
least, inclined to show her no favor.
If Mr.. Arthur was really in earnest in
his professions of justice and impair
TALLY towards the South, and if in the
future he proves his words by his deeds,
it will be all the South will ask of him.
She expects no special manifestation OF
favor, and, as a rule, cares for none. AL
she asks is to be let alone, and be permit
ted to control her local affairs unmO
Tested, and attend in peace to the devil
Opment of her material resources. HeI
people are already awake to the fact thai
in this country, where wealth is worship
ed, and the lucky shOddyist is the only
aristocrat, they can hope for nothing
while they remain in poverty. They also
already know full well that in the enjoy
ment of the wealth which is theirs by
nature, political power and personal in
tluence will surely come. This cOnvic-
ton will fasten itself upon them more
and more each year, and the accumula
ton of that wealth, and the enjoyment
of the blessings which God has given
them with lavish hand, Will gradually
become their chief end and aim, and
they will, while naturally taking a gene
raj interest in the politics of the country,
be perfectly willing to bestow upon ma
tiOnal politics secondary consideration.
Let Mr.. Arthur then carry out in prac
lice his professions, and he will find the
Southern people as heartily ready to sus
tain him and his administration as they
showed themselves ready to stand by and
support Mr.. Garfield when he gave evil
dence that he intended to treat her fairly.
The South cannot, however, feel per
fectly at ease regarding the course OF
Mr.. Arthur's administration until she has
something more substantial than words
to rest upon. She cannot yet forget that
Grant said Let US have peace" at the
very moment that he was contemplating
her oppression and subiugation to the
rule of the bayonet and the scalawag,
and, as we remarked at the outset, Grant
still stands uncomfortably near to the
Presidential chair.