Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-04-12
ARE WE.

ARE WE,
Republican In the last issue of the
Alleganian we are charged with b cling such
in sentiment, though the editor acquits us Of
the charge of being such in practice. WASH
ington said, 1--WE are all Federais, we are all
Republicans" is, we are all subjects OF
Fedcrative Republic. AS such we are a
Republican.
In the Alleganian of August 9th, 1859,
We find tho following questions aud an
swers:
"Who voted against admitting Minnesota
as free Slatef"
"Answer--The know nothings and EepuJ-
deans"
"Who voted against admitting Oregon as a
free State ?"
"Answor-The know nothings and Repu5-
deans"
Now we are not a Republican, if this be
the test, for we are for admitting, as State
into this Union every Territory, after it shall
have obtained sufficient population, and
presenting itself with Republican Consttu-
ton, whether its local laws admit or pro-
hibit slavery.
But our ncighbor charges us with being
a Republican, yes Black Republican, with
out giving us any clue by which we may
find out what is his definition of Black Re-
publican, and this is the practice of the
Democratic presses every where In 1856,
when we were battling might and main a.
mong the firc-caters Of Virginia, for FILLMORE,
they said we were an Abolitionist, and yet
they did not tell Us what they meant by the
charge; and when we demanded an explicit
announcement Of what they meant, they re-
piled by rciterating the charge, and calling
us more cmphatically an Abolitionisf, until
we finally declared that we were,-rere for
the abolition Of Democracy. Now orr friend
and neighbor of the Alleganian, tells his ren-
dcrs that we are Black Republican, Of the
most prudent kind, for while VIC are such in
sentiment, We are not such in practice. II
lie had only given plain and ineligible de-
fnition OF what lie meant, his readers would
have known how TO estimate us but ms il
is, they call us Black Republican, and when
we ask, dear sir, what do you mean by n
Black Republican the only response we can
get is, you are Black Republican, and
hence we are left to wonder, what in the
world they mean. Surely our skin is not of
the African hue, though we admit il is sufi-
GENTLY sombre, for we are taken into Anglo
Saxon society, and our people are not ANAL
conclude that this is no. what the Alcganian
means.
But does it mean that we are for crushing
the very life out of the poor Blackies, and
that our malice is so inveteratc, that it is
properly designated by the term black p
mol No! it cannot be this, for we have toe
much OF the milk or human kindness in oul
nature for that Or does it mean that W,
are SO much devoted to the African, that W,
subservicnt to that of the black? This can
not be it, for it would make our neghbol
contradict himself He means then that W,
are Black Republican of tire Bates school,
that we subscribe to the sentiments put fortl
in Mr.. Bates letter. To this wo plead gull
ty, with the exception Of his views on thu
ri Ill
ca. We are for their colonization in Africa
The ground then on which our neighbour
POUNDS his charge Of Black Republicanism
is we presume, found in Mr.. Bates declara
ton of hostility to tho extention OF Shaver.
into the territories. doctrine Of universe
acceptance upon the part of the fathers Of
the Republic, an d the wisest men who hav'
succeeded them. Shall we therefore fear to &C
knowledge that we are a disciple of Henry Cha,
because of the cry ofBlack Republican. No
no slave holder as we are, we stand up in
all the dignity of cur manhood, and on thu
soil of our native State, having a reference
to the best interests of our section, and thu
welfare and glory OF our common country
and declare with the patriotic and vituous
Bates, that we are clearly of the opinion, thai
Congress has the right to legislate to prohibit
slavery in the territories, and furthermore
we say with the immortal Clay, if we were
in Congress and the question should come
UP, we would rather lose our right arm
than vote for its introduction into the free
territories Of this great Republic"