The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-10
Democratic Conservatism and Republican
kadicalism.


kadicalism.
From The Charleston (S o. Courier.
democratic conservatism is ruin, but Re.
perity." '-'N F
This extract from the editorial column of
one of the Northern journals, conveys, in a
single sentence, the efforts in the interests of
the Republican party to pervert the truth and
maintain rule of wrong and injustice.
The large majority of the Northern people
are, beyond doubt, opposed to the Reconstruc-
tion acts. IThey would have preferred a restora-
tiOn effected upon the simple and safe basis of
the Constitution. They are aware that the
Republican party have been in the absolute
control OF the Government ever since the ces-
sation of hostlities, and could have had a per-
manent and fraternal peace at any moment.
This awaited their bidding. They had the
power in their hands. They had but to exert
it on behalf of tranquility, and right, and
peace, with its unity and blessings, would at
once have been attained They however,
preferred the lust of dominion to the welfare
of the land. They set up the reign of their
faction, in the place of the free scope and safe
security of the Constitution. And, in so
doing, they betrayed their high trust and i'm
periled the dearest hopes and most precious
liberties of the nation.
And for this and the unconstitutional and
irresponsible Governments erected without
right at the South they have been Justly
arraigned at the bar of public opinion.
That opinion has already had voice at the
ballot-box. 1t has had expression on the At
lantic as well as the Pacific slope and that ex
preston foreshadows a verdict of condemna
tion at the hands of the American people in
November next.
Perceiving the approach of their doom, they
are seeking to avert it, by distrac,ing. the at
tentiOn of the people from the real issue in
volved in the contest. They say that Demo-
cratic conservatism is ruin, bee ,use its success
is what they term the success of the Rebellion
Never was greater nonsense uttered, or a more
flimsy attempt made to deceive the Northern
mind.
The question during the late war was
whether the South should have q separate
nationality. The question now at issue, is
whether she shall be recognized as a part OF
the Union, whether the Commonwealth are
States of, and her people citizens of, the United
States.
A Democratic triumph, it is transparent, can
have no effect upon the issues involved in the
late struggle. 1t can in no way establish the
independence of the late Confederate States.
The issues of the war are decided and decided
forever. 1t is true the arbiter was the sword.
But this renders these the more settled All
who were in the war have accepted the de-
cision thus rendered. In fact, all parties, and
all men at the South, as at the North, have,
in good faith, accepted this arbitrament as
conclusive and final. There is simply, there
| fore, an end of IL.
The controversy is not as to the past. 1t is
as to the present. The South have accepted
the Government of these United States as their
| Government, its flag as their flag, and its Con-
stitution as their Constitution. 1t is, there
fore, as part of the common country that
| they ask to be recognized, and for an equal
share in its laws and its rights. Upon this
platform the Democratic party stands. There
fore it is supported by the people of the South.
| Had the Republican party announced these
| views at the close of the war, it would doubt
less have likewise received the same support.
We deal not with the dead past, but with the
living present. How can Republican radical
ism claim to be "peace, order, and prosperity"
has yet neither accomplished "peace, order, or
prosperity" In fact, can a single measure
inaugurated by it be pointed out which has
| not produced, as its inherent and necessary
result, the revival of sectional prejudice, the
creation of disorder and financial embarrass-
ment to the South as to the North.
| Is it peace to have overthrown the govern
ments of the South, and to have erected in
their place those born of the bayonet, and in
no way representing the interest or voice of
| the accustomed voters Is it order to have
| made the white race aliens and strangers upon
their own soil, and to have placed them in
| subsection to another and inferior race Just
tI6IBbu lTOm u COnultlOu OF slaVeTyI lS III
| prosperity to have kept the Union discovered
| practically for over four years, and prevented
that restoration under the Constitution by
| which unity, peace aud prosperity might long
| since have been happily accomplished
II so, then it stands upon the same platform
occupied by Mr.. Lincoln himsel, Republi-
| Can President.
We allude to his memorable letter written
on the 2lst November, 1863 when the power
| of his administration was invoked, to place
| sion of Federal arms under "carpet bag"
| government. This he refused to do in the fell
| lowing words:
Dear Sir:-Dr. Kennedy, bearer of this, has
| some apprehensions that the Federal officers,
not citizens of Louisiana, may be set up as
candidates for Congress in that State. In my
view there could be no possible object in such
| an election. We do not particularly need
| members of Congress to enable us to get along
| with legislation here. What we do want Is
conclusive evidence that respectable citizens of
| Louisiana are willing 10 be members OF Con-
gress, and swear to support the Constitutions
| and that other respectable citizens there are
| willing to vote for them. To send parcel OF
| Northern men here as representatives, elected,
| as they would be understood (and psThaps
really SOY at the point of the bayonet, would
| be disgraceful and outrageous and were |
a member of Congress then, l would vote
| against admitting any such men to seat.
And yet is not what Mr.. Lincoln refused to
| do precisely what the Republican party, since
his death, has done in every Southern State
Are not their representatives in Congress and
at home, for the most part, Northern wander
ers and negroes elected at the point of the