Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-06-11
The Mission Of the Radical Stump Speakers
!, rsel gftsls in the South. se - Z 81.

There is fearful truth, we verify believe, in
the remark of the National htelkgencer, that
there is an earnest desire on the part of the
Radical leaders to create a Southern riot OF
such proportions as will afford an excuse for
the re-assembling of Congress in July, the i'm
peachment of the President, and the passage
of law of confscation of Southern property
This is the great end and aim of some of those
who see in this present condition of affairs only
an opportunity for money making. They are
utterly Indifferent as to the result upon the
country. Some of them have made money out
of the war some of them have seen others rea-
lie fortunes from the public disturbances, and
are anxious to prolong them with the hope of
profit to themselves s5sa7- allEsc-.r =
1t is such people who have induced the mis-
sion of Radical members Of Congress into the
Southern States to make aeanvass. They pro-
cured Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts, to
come hither, but he was too tame. He was not
lncendiary enough for their purposes. He
would not make the blood and thunder speeches
that these spectators desired. He did not
create excitements. He was everywhere kind
y and courteously received. He originated no
riots. He was failure In the speculation
Other Radical speakers were started upon the
tour, with the hope of better success among
them Judge Kelley, of Pennsylvania, to stir up
the passions OF the people and bring about a
riot If possible. These emissaries of the Radi-
cal spectators, without knowing it themselves,
are simply martyrs to Northern spectators,
who would if possible, delay reconstruction,
promote sectional differences, and excite riots.
IF one of these Northern stump orators should
be assaulted or killed during his trip, the wire
pullers would be delighted. They would be far
advanced towards the accomplishments of their
object. 1t would be heralded at once as proof
OF the INSTRUMENTATION of the people of the
South, made q pretext for the getting up of a
furious crusade Of public opinion in the North,
the reassembling Of Congress in July, the i'm
parchment and deposition of the President
without delay, and the passage of bills of con-
fscation of Southern lands-perhaps one or two
hundred leading Sogthern men might be seized
and tried and hung by military commissions, in
order to make the reign of terror more COM
plete.
This is unquestionably the programme We
hope the people of the South will remember it
and be guarded against allowing any hot-head-
ed defender OF their cause precipitating the re-
suit so much desired, not by the people, but by
the political spectators in the North. Let
them tolerate free speech to the utmost extent
Let them treat with courtesy the Radical ennis
saries who come among them. Let them with
calmness and dignity meet argument with argu-
| ment and statement with statement. There is
hardly negro in the whole South who has not
sense enough to appreciate right from wrong
when it is exhibited to him, nor to perceive that
these imported disciples of equal rights are
working only for party purposes. Their efforts
to incite riots and political disturbances should
only elicit disgust. This is new phase of the
pending contest. If the people of the South
will keep their temper and maintain their dig
nifty now, those who are endeavoring to reopen
old sores and make them still greater sufferers
will be disappointed.