The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-02-17


rectly counted, and this was not re-
ported in any spirit of defiance to the
the government, but rather rs one who
makes choice between two evils. Their
view seemed closely akin to that of the
educated class in Michigan's upper pc
ninsula regarding the ignorant Polish
districts, while their methods differ but
little from those employed in the latter.
In fact, we are strongly of the opinion
that a rigid educational requirement,
strictly enforced, would allay many
evils in various sections, and we also
believe that our Southern friends would
aid in its impartial enforcement.
Governor Jones of Alabama, typical
Southern gentleman of great culture
and courtesy, expressed the situation so
happily in his eloquent speech of well
come at the Capitol building in Mont
gomery, that we reproduce it here:
Ladies and gentlemen of the Michigan
Press Association:
If, as has been truly said, mans high
est duty is to study himself 1T is also no
less an important duty of all patriotic
people to know their countrymen. We
al have our angularities, | may say our
'provincialities," if you will pardon the
expression. We are glad, therefore, to
have you know us as we are, and we are
glad to know you as you are. The more
we know of each other the better we
will understand each other; and from
this understanding will come the con-
viction that we are all marching along
the same pathway in our hopes and as
pirations for the happiness and great
ness of an united destiny and country.
(Applause.)
One of our visitors expressed gratifi-
cation at the difference between these
days and other days, and in that |
most heartily share. The causes which
brought forth those days, and the differ
ed into history. | think all of us, on
both sides, have come to square our
ideas of our countrymen and their acts
in those days from broad and Catholic
standpoint, which realizes that there
were high connections, mighty truths,
and heroic achievements on both sides,
and that after all we were all centered
by 1.-The higher and equal bond of i'm
mortal fidelity to principle" All of us
have learned as we have gone along.
l may illustrate this by relating an
incident in my own experience. When
hOstilties commenced, | was young
ster at Il military school in Virginia,
and one of my roommates and friends
was another yOungster named SeabrOOk,
from PENNSYLVANIA. We all venerated
Virginia, and being boys were, of course,
''in for the war" In 1864, the portion
of the Confederate forces in which
was serving surprised a portion of the
opposing force in the Wilderness and
captured some prisoners. That night
III passing the captives, | was accosted
! by "A familiar voice, and told the guard
to let the prisoner come to the camp
fire. | recognized at once my former
roommate in blue uniform. The old
school days, when we all regarded the
soil of Virginia rs sacred" came back
to me, and forgetting, perhaps, in the
bitterness of those days, that it was un-
kindly to thus accOst my captive room
mate, | said with some feeling, "Why,
Seabrook, what on earth are you doing
fighting in that uniform?' He was a
proud fellow, and retorted, pointing to
my Confederate uniform, why are you
fighting with that thing on?" My an
|
and | went with her" He as quickly
replied, Eyes, and Pennsylvania stayed
in the Union, and | stayed with her.
| supposed on States rights grounds
that should be ample justification for
me-" (Applause) The argument was
too clear TO admit of denial, and
dropped the subject and we renewed
our old ties. 1t was, however, the first
time it had occurred to my boyish view
that a state had n right to stay in the
Union. (Laughter.)
We have all, on both sides, grown in
knowledge, and are quite content to
think that our differences were honest
differences, with much on each side to
support opposing views. We are glad
now that states have right to stay in
the Union, and we proudly claim with
you an equal share in all its glories,
and an equal determination to cherish
and foster all that is good in American
institutions, and everything that will
upbuild and maintain that which is so
proudly typfied by our common flag.
(Applause)
Apart from the pleasure of meeting
at the executive office of Alabama, an
assemblage of representative citizens
of Michigan, whose mission it is through
the press to teach great truths to the
people, for | cannot resist the convic-
ton that such visits will bear rich fruit
in a more perfect understanding be-
tween distant sections of common
country, the only condition | exact to
the hearty welcome which. in behalf of
the people of Alabama, l now extend to
you, is that you will visit us again.
(Applause.)
Be it said in conclusion, that we are
in no wise prejudiced by the remarks
of the Tampa Journal as against
such remarks as these from nu-
merous representative men and women
of various sections, and to our dy-
ing day shall believe that our en-
tertainers meant all the "pretty things"
they said, as also that Uncle Sam has a
South full of loyal-hearted sons, albeit
they may view many local questions
from different standpoint than do we