The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-08-28
CHANGE or TONE.

CHANGE or TONE.
At Democratic State Convention held at Co
lumbia, Vale Hampton offered resolution,
which was adopted, saying "that while entering
a protest against Radical reconstruction meas
ures, We rely confidently on the constitutional
agency AMI peaceful measures alone to bring us
the relief sought and the reforms needed"
This is not the dish that Frank Blair set before
the party. II is not the one that the party has
partaken Of 50 freely. II Is very different
mess, and we undertake to say that the change
is more attributable to political trickery and the
need Of deception than to any sincere belief in
this declaration. The Democratic national plat
form distinctly pronounces the reconstruction
measures Unconstitutional, null and roid."
Hampton has heretofore informed the public
tina, he himself caused that phrase to be insert
ell in the platform. lie ut the same time de
tailed the conversation in the Committee on
Resolution when the northern men promised to |
do everything that might be required in the
event Of their success, but represented the No
cessity Of moderating the tone Of the platform
for election eering purposes, as they had diff
cult canvass before them.
Here Is the whole secret Of the recent change
Of tone. The rebels were so exultant at their
success in the Convention that the first outbreak
Of their sentiments in the press and on the
stump betrayed their aims, and the public
alarm in all the loyal States was very unprom-
isins for the success Of the party. The reso,u-
ton just passed by the South Carolina State
Convention Is in direct contradiction to Blair's
letter. The platform, by prOnouncins the re-
construction laws null and void, len the rebels
to supply for themselves the sequences. They
expected violent and sudden relief from the
new State governments, and they said 50. Now
that they SEQ how much they have damaged
their cause. they even 20 beyond Seymour in
backing out Of their declarations.
Every man must judge for himself how much
credit to give to Wade HamPtOn's resolution.
The General Is parolei rebel soldier. He was
obliged by the fortunes ofSwar to give his word
Of honor not to serve against the national flag
again. Yet In his recent speech In South Caro-
lima he avowed his readiness 10 take up arms
whenever his State should call upon him to do
50. If this be consistent with parole Of honor
binding him not to serve against US, then his
resolution Is also consistent with Frank Blair's
letter. AMI not otherwise. General Hampton
now speaks Of depending on peaceful measures
alone" Blair in plain English invoked the all
Of tho military. under the command Of the
President, to overthrow Congress, purge II Of
Representatives and Senator's from the recon-
structed States, aud upset the reconstructed
State governments. That letter procured his
nomination. and its sentiments were indiscrect-
ly spplanded by Democratic orators and writers
before Seymour had time to sound his key
note.
aNo Republican can have any objection to fair
discussion Of the reconstruction measures, and
to legitimate opposition to them and efforts f0r
their repeal or alteration. Changes ola liberal
nature will not lack Republican votes, whenever
necessary. lfthis is all that the Democratic party
seeks, hhas been guilty Of the grossest and
most outrageous folly in alarming the country
by the svowl Of violent tendencies and revOlu-
tiOnary aims. For the sake Of the peace and
harmony Of the republic we should like very
much to be able to believe Gen. HamptOn'sreso
luton. I, would. indeed, be . fortunate thing
for the whole country lit could be Substantial
ed by general and authentic declarations from all
sections Of the party. Even as Il Is. the Rspub-
lcans have accomplished great victory In COM
Pelling the formal disavowal Of the revolutionary
scheme. and the moderation Of the Democratic
tone sverywherc.
The rebel soldiers have discovered that the
northern coppsrheads, whose promises TO them
were % largo and magnificent. are without the
power Of performance; that the northern people
have no confidence In them, and are no, likely
to have % long - the party follows the south
srn prosramma Ths Richmond WAis and
Charleston Mercury therefore varned the
south. and change Of front has been made II
remains to Be seen whether the loyal masses Of
the south win place any reliance on the new
declarations - SYSTEMATICALLY put forward BY
,thoss Who have ben most ultra and offensive
In thdr speeches, .-r
In The meantime. the best way to eoun,erscs
the violent tendencies Of the Dsmccrahc party
10 10 give The widest posibls circulation to all
the Ossasivs speeches and publications BY which
rsbsh sadssppsrhssds have bsn seeking to
minister 10 deprsvsd sentiment.