Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1872 — The Vote of the Southern States. [ARTICLE]

The Vote of the Southern States.

It is worthy of special notice that General Grant, while carrying all the New England, The MUl'dlo, “thewestern, andPacific States, without an exception, has also carried a majority of the Southern States. During the canvass it was claimed, and by the supporters of Mr. Greeley confidently expected, that the Southern vote would lie overwhelmingly in his favor. Here his greatest strength was said to be, and hero wap placed his chief ground of hope. Tlty underlying theory of this proposition was that the Southern States had been so badly treated by the General Government under Kepublican rule that they would hail almhst anything, •ven Mr. Greeley himself, as a boon, if it promised to mitigate the grievances and oppressions under which they had been suttering. Mr. Greeley adapted himself to this theory; and, honco, in his electioneering speeches, he was constantly descanting upon the wrongs, the injustice, the proscriptions and disfranchisements perpetrated against the South, meaning the white men of the South. All this was a -political hid, designed Jto invite Southern support to the Greeley Democracy, as being the only hope of relief. While the canvass was proceeding, we pronounced the whole allegation to be a vile slander upon the Government and utso-upon the- Republican party; and we now think no better of it.

The result of this appeal at the South is tile most. astonishing that was ever, heard of, if there had been any truth in the appeal itself. Put the theory and the voting together; and then we are presented with the spectacle of a “heartbroken,’’lnjured, crushed and outraged people turning their hacks upon their political savior, and by an overwhelming majoiity greeting and cordially welcoming their oppressor. They vote for the tyrant, and against the; linn who will secure to them their rights. Such stupidity Is too great to be possible. The plain truth is, the votiug at the South gives the lie, the Southern people themselves being judges, to the whole accusation which formed so large a part of the Greeley Democratic campaign. They have proven that they prefer General Grant, with all the alleged wrongs inflicted by him, to Mr.. Greeley, with all his promises ofrclief. They are-satis-fied, at least a majority of them are, with the Republican patty in its administration of the Government. The political plea that was designed,to win their favor turns out to be a signal failure ; and the reason wc have in the fact that it was not founded in truth.

AVe regard it as fortunate for the country that the re-election of General Grant is thus relieved from any .fae&nalaspect. Had it been otherwise—had the South voted solidly against him, and the North as solidly for him, and his election been secured simply by the preponderance of the latter—lhen we should have had an exhibition of territorial antagonism eminently undesirable. Happily, no such picture is presented. The President-elect is no more a Northern than he is a Southern President. He is the choice of both sections. We have no Northern policy confronting a Southern, and no Southern policy confronting a Northern. The majority of the people, both North and South, declare themselves to be in favor of the same policy. This would seem to be “reconciliation” already attained. If there be an irreeoncilcd minority at the South, we know of no relief for it but to accept the will, of the majority and make the best of its own situation, since this is a stern necessity in all popular governments. The New York Tribune , even since it became “a thoroughly independent journal,” has spoken of theSoutli ns “abiding the issue,” and expressed the hope that General Grant will hasten to clear out the “thieves” who have been plundering this ill-fated South. Pray, what issue has the South to abide, for which to arm her patience, and jn respect to which she needs the advice of the Tribune? Absolutely none, except that to which she has just made herself a voluntary party. She has not befen defeated by a Northern majority. She has not heen conquered by a Northern ballot-box. Mr. Greeley has been defeated, hut not the South. She has voted for the candidate of her choice; and that candidate was not Mr. Greeley. We can readily understand how he must abide tlie issue ; but there is none for the South that is not entirely acceptable to a. majority of the people. And heartily do we rejoice in the good prospect for the future afforded by such a fact. - It looks as if the millenium plight be nearer than some people have supposed.— New York Independent.