Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-07-12
The Rebels Repudiate their Copperhead
Friends.

From Me C1orloasrWc Vo), Clyoajelo.
We have no apology to make for the
Radical party without regard to its course
towards the South. There is, it appears to
US, nothing that can be said to excuse It.
We know that the Republican party
have determined to break down all opposi-
ton at the South, and to make it contribute
to the strength of the Republican party
From this conviction there Is practical
thing which the South might do that would
improve its treatment One cause Of the
violent course vi tile Nepupileans toyrards
the South Is the constant irritation kept up
at the North by the Democratic party The
Northern Democratic press, for campaigning
purposes, keeps up a perpetual hot FIRE
against the Republicans advises the South
to resist negro suffrage and the Teconstruc-
ton bill, calls on US to become martyrs, DC,
&c. President johnson gives cOuntenance
to this party, and by some i'll advised inter
ference from time to time stiTs up from his
wakeful maps the Radical monster. There
is, in short, a regular war of bitter words
going on all the time between the two Nor
thern parties, and the Southern whites are
identified in the Northern mind with the
Northern Democracy, who pretent to cham
pion our cause What is the consequence
The lash falls necessarily, and at intervals
the screw is given another turn. The idea
IS, we must keep these Southern Democrats
well under the foot or they will rally and CO.
operate with their Northern allies That is
the train Of thought.
We, therefore do repeat what we have
already frequently called attention to, that
the first step for the Southern people to take
is to disclaim all connection with the Nor
theTn Democracy. We have not one parti-
Gle more respect for the Northern DemOc,
racy than we have for the Republicans
They got US into our troubles, and basely
abandoned us. And they are doing us in
finite injury now by obstructing the settle
ment of reconstruction. They use us merely
as so much political capital, and are no true
friends. But whether friends or foes, they
have no power, and are perpetual nuisance.
We have got to make terms with the Re
publican party-they are the Government,
and will be for good many years.
Now let US in public meetings lay it down
that we do not intend to act with the Nor
thern Democracy.
We shall now make our position clear by
adding that we individually are not going
to the Republicans. A great many people
are; great many respectable people who
act chiefly from considerations of policy are:
we are not. IF the Rep plicans will treat
us properly, we will in the federal elections
vote for the best man they put up; but we
shall not join the party
Policy suggests that the Southern people
80 over 20 the Republican party in body
that all of us call ourselves Republicans.
But we do not see how any conscientious
man can describe himself by name which
is not truei we do not see how any Southern
man can put on the livery of the Republican
party without losing his selfrespect
But the thing is going to be done BY a
great many; people do not reason nicely;
oaths, names, emblems are barriers of straw
where powerful inducement draws a man
to break through them