Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-18

sfr. Blaine on southern Congresnmen.
Editor Morning Neics: Before the death
OF Wendell Phillips, he, In a letter or
speech on public affairs, speaking OF the
financial corruptions brought to light in
nearly every public department in Wash
ington, said in effect: Whatever might be
the feelings OF Southern Congressman, or
Southern men in high public positions,
they were noted for high sense Of honor
and personal integrity of character. Mr..
Phillips regretted that Northern men had
not initiated or inherited in some way the
integrity of Southern men.
1t seems that Mr.. Blaine bears similar
testimony to Mr.. Phillips, and in his book
lately given to the public he has this to say
about Southern public men:
Their domestic relations impaired manners
that were naughty and sometimes offensive;
they were quick TO take affront, and they not
infrequently brought needless personal dis
putation into the discussion of public ques-
mons; but they were almost without exception
men of high integrity, and they were espe-
cially and jealousy careful Of the public
money. Too often ruln0usly lavish in their
personal expenditures, they believed in an
economical government, and throughout the
long period of their domination they guarded
the Treasury with rigid and increasing vigil
lance against every attempt at extravaganza
and against every form OF corruption.
A very good and truthful photograph of
Southern character, in a great degree
through the South, was provoked by the
constant assaults on slavery and the
insinuations that were made to follow it..
Hence the naughty and offensive bearing
Of our people. 1t was that principle in
Southern men, known as character, that
was not understood by the Northern
people. The thirst for gold, the desire
for wealth, was not marked character
istic of the Southern man in Congress
twenty-five and thirty years ago. He was
lavish and free with his money, as Mr..
Blaine says, and it was in marked con-
trast with the saving Northern man.
Political reputation was what the South
ern politician sought and worked for, not
money.
But times have changed in many re-
spects-changed by a revolution in an
institution, changed by the character of
the war waged, changed by the flood of
money thrown upon the country, and
changed by the extraordinary wealth of
the North from being successful. But
amid all the changes Southern men, as a
general rule, nave been true to their in
tegrity, as inherited from, and impressed
by, their fathers.
In this day of party and political cor
ruptiOn, when Congressmen's votes are
bought with money paid down or in rail-
road stocks or bonds, or in thousands OF
acres of public lands, and when Cabinet
officers are bribed or corrupted, the South
proudly points to her sons and says: BE
hold their integrity, their honor, their
personal character"
Well may rings of all kinds that gather
at Washington like buzzards around a
dead carcass, curse deep the honest South
ern man when they would reach out their
hands to steal millions in contracts, rail-
road donations, and put-up jobs. With
out being Extensively personal by compar-
ison, Col. James III. Blount, OF the Sixth
Congressional District of Georgia, is
more hated and feared by lobbyists than
any man sent from the State. Would to
God that we had more such aggressive
men without, fear, favor or affection, to
crush ont the cOrruptions that are eat
ing into the very vitals Of our country,
and making of public men public thieves.
X. NJ. o.