The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-10-16
" Whom the Gods Design to Destroy they
First Make Mad.,'


nature of w. T. Sherman, high military
dignity of the Army of the United States,
one of the most remarkable productions,
under the title of " Old Shady" that has
appeared in the press of this country,
not excepting the Anarchist press. Not
remarkable for it's intelligence, brilliancy,
logic or honesty, but remarkable that
such suggestions as it contains, and such
falsehood as it perpetrates, should ema-
nate from one of whom would be expect
ed an example of supreme peace in the ab-
sence of war.
No more terrible announcements.
threats or propositions were made by the
Anarchists of Chicago, and they were
righteously HUNG They threatened rev.
olution, bloodshed, rapine, and the torch
this man Sherman, threatens "ANoTuER
WAR more creW than the last. .
and proposes the TORCH and the
DAGGER and parades an army of
millions of men against the people of
the South, for it is clear that his hate and
malice, as couched in the above language,
is the moving cause; and that it is meant,
is proven by his past dastardly use of the
weapons he suggests, and upon the same
people upon whom he suggests their use
in this abominable and hateful document
witness The torch in poor, crushed
and overpowered Columbia, South Caro-
lima; the insults to her helpless women and
children the unnumbered bayonetings
perpetrated upon unarmed and defence
less men. His whole line of march is
written in blood-red hieroglyphs, easily
translated by men and heaven
This is man, to-be.sure to lecture
Southern men upon knighthood! A man,
nay beast, who would strike and acound
a fallen foe as in Columbia, notably, and,
trifie with and wound the feelings of a
helpless prisoner, as he did in the case of
Major Anderson, then guest of General
Hazen, ahd guest by the consen: Of this
man Sherman.
White men of Florida-of the South
Is this not more than enough TO awake
you from apathy-to arouse undying
vigilance and diligence-to stir your
party fealty-to cause you to sink self in
party interest, the Democratic party, in
which alone, save the guiding hand of
God, in perpetuating our government and
saving it from "the horns and talons" of
devils" like this man Sherman, is your
hope. Let this echo from the Republican
party hiss in your ears until every man
shall be found in the discharge of his
duty, so that on November 9th we will
send message again affirming that the
South is solid for good government, law
and order, and the rule of intelligence
and virtue, Notwithstanding the false
statement made by Sherman that the ne
gro is not allowed to vote, or that these
votes were not counted. The compost
ton of every Southern Legislature, the
State and county offices, the municipali
ties, the school room and all departments
of government, put the lie upon Mr.. Sher-
man in his article cold Shady"
We quote from the article, beginning
with the 10th paragraph:
But must return to the Negro race. They
still form one-tenlh of our aggregate population.
They were once slaves, but are nOW free !; not
b,,tp lp6 hv hp
and law to all the privileges of American oiti-
zenship. They are kindly, domestic and inot
fensive race, and since the world began no high
er virtue Was ever exercised than ny these
lOwly people, who tOied in the fields 10 raise
corn and toOd for the rebel armies in Virginia
and Georgia whom they knew to be employed
10 perpetuate their own bondage. Every South
ern gentleman who has spark Of knighthOOd
left in his nature should take off his hat to the
old bondsman who stayed at home to care tor
his mistress and the young ladies while he WAS
himself away fighting To destroy his own gov
ernment, and to strengthen the fetters which
bound his slave TO he master. That bondsman
is now free, and by the Constitution and laws OF
his land is entitled TO vote as though he were
born "a free white man; but we all knew then,
rs we know now. that constitutions and laws
are idle winds. People are governed by usages,
customs, and not by laws
The negro is no: permitted to vote if the vote
disturbs the judgment of the white majority;
and if it changes the verdict OF their former mas
tiers, it is not counted.
What is the use of shutting our eyes to we'll
known fact? We did so from 1850 to 1850. and
ha 7e paid the penalty. The next war may be
avoided by reason and common sense, and If
can help to avert it | will feel more honOred
than in past victories and triumphs. | say to
the South, let the negro vote, and count his vote
honestly. 1t will not disturb, but, on the CON
trary, will hasten your prosperity and stability