Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-01
The Real BourbOns.

Rabid Republican organs take pecu-
liar delight in applying the term "Bour-
bon" to those men at the South who
having staked their all for principle,
steadily decline TO surrender their con-
victions as to the relations the Constltu-
ton established between the Federal
Government and the States. AT the same
time there are those among us who,
with an eye single to the spoils of office,
seek recognition as liberal minded indi-
yiduals, and are ready for anything and
everything.
The term Bourbon, if it can be en-
ployed with any significance at all,
means precisely what it meant when ap-
piled to the hapless French house which
the great Revolution swept away, and
which, though restored, ere long disap-
peared from the stage of France. OF its
representatives it was said, ''They learn
ed nothing, and forgot nothing" Used
in this, its real meaning, to whom in this
country can it be better applied-to
Southern Democrats or Northern stall
warts2
In the tremendous conflict between
the sections, the impracticability of a
dissolution of the Union was conclusive
" settled together with the fate Of
slavery. Waving the question of re-
sponslbility for the bringing about of
the disastrous struggle, it may well be
conceded by the most ultra of the loyal
lists that the South had the most to for
give and forget. The carnival Of waste,
wrong and tyranny that marked the era
| of reconstruction was an added strain TO
her magnanimity; and yet the South, as
a people, hes forgiven, and in time will
forget.
In the last campaign. she honored
with her devotion the brsvest of her
former foes, and the heartiness of her
Endorsement of Hancock was convincing
proof of her burial of the past.
Since that fatal Saturday when the Chief
Magistrate was stricken down, there has
been but one theme, one heart, one hope
among her people. This alone should
silence her slanderers.
Where in all the borders of this broad
land are to be found more intolerant,
more persistent and more stubborn treas
urers of the past with its woes, its blood
and sacrifice, than the recognized lead
ers of public opinion at the North, who
are ever holding back the flood of
oblivion that would long ago
have swept away the last traces of preju
dice and hate? These men are the real
''Bourbons. They set back the hands
on the dial Of reconciliation, and ever
appeal to the public Of the North to
smother the feelings Of friendship,
which the South has continually sought
and would gladly recipTocate.
These men can learn nothing and
never will forget. They know that the
intelligence of the South can never be
cajOled, bribed or forced into an in
dOrsement of Radicalism, the sole task
left which is the overthrow of the auto
nOmy of the States and the seating OF
the strong man in the char of the Elk,
ecutive. They hope by encouraging the
ignorant that the discussions of faction
will keep alive the animosities of the
past and smooth the path to centralism,
which is the goal of their endeavor.
But there is barrier to the march of
Radicalism which it cannot surmount,
and behind it stand in solid array the
"BOurbOns" of the South and the Demo
Gratis of the North, whom neither the
allurements of preferment can seduce,
nor the onslaughts Of calumny, nor the
bayonet of the soldier can dislodge. This
barrier is the bedrock of Democracy.
which the changes and the storms of the
century have not moved. Deep down il
the hearts of the people the conviction
of its value rests. II to refuse TO sur
render that conviction is to be "Bour
bon, then the term is proud distinc
ton and cannot be made reproach.