The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-05
THE MAIN ISSUE.

The New York World Of yesterday inquiries
whether what It is pleased to call negro recon.
struction "ls unconstitutional, revolutionary
and void" And 1t further states that the
chief issue Of the canvass ia whether negro re-
construction shall stand. Itmoreover says
1.-THE Democratic convention have made II
impossible for any citizen to vote for Seymour
and Blair without intending to condemn the
reconstruction policy. Of Congress. II they
are elected that policy will have been eSplic'
lily repudiated by majority Of the people"
Still the World fights rather shy. II does
not like to come out boldly for the Blair doc
trine, but comes up as near to 1t as possible.
This journal has stumbled good deal upon
this issue as to what can and ought to be done
In the event OF Democratic success. Before
the July convention, and before Mr.. Blair had
issued his manifesto, the World diseoursed in
this wise:
"osn negro suffrage be uprooted within the
ensuing four years 1t Is demon
strable that Instead Of making it at once we
The Senate, now four ltths Republican, is to
be increased by twenty new Republican Sem
ators; II is certain, therefore, that that body
will be Republican throughout the whole OF
the next Presidential term, and that no law
can either be repealed or passed except by Re-
publican consent. 1t Is absolutely certain
that no relief eau come from Congress within
the ensuing year.
This would seem TO be very correct and a
very satisfactory conclusion, and the World
reasoned ably about II, and asked the follow
ing question, putting II In u very emphatic
tone: "Sinoe negro suffrage can be upset dur
Ing the next Presidential term neither by
Congress nor the Supreme Court, by what
agency ia II to be overturned"
Fortunately for the country, II not for the
Democracy, Mr.. Frank Blair came to the
rescue, answered the Worlds interrogatory,
and foreshadowed the Democratic programme.
These are his words, which now meet 8 re.
Spouse everywhere 10 the Democratic fold.
Mr.. Blair says;
an is for the PTGsiacHi elect 10 declare these acts
luH and roid, compel hs army 10 undo lis uIurpa-
h0Rs at the Souih, disperSe The cdrpei-LGg Slate
gOrsrH nents aiLoic he tchie people 10 rcoTgdHiEe
Representatives"
We suppose the World must now feel Itself
answered, and we can see plenty of cations
that 1t Is fast coming TO accept and advocate
Mr.. Blair's policy. 1t must do so, for such is
the policy OF the party.
But the World will be troubled with some OF
Its past reasoning and utterances. No longer
ago than the 18th OF June, this paper said:
"Sinoe negro suffrage can be upset during
ssesIP eSt PrsS.dentisl term ssither BY Cen;
agency is It 10 be overturnedi Not surely by
the negroes or by the governments IN which
phis cRi=eas Of he South acting outside he nep
STATE gouernHleRfs. But what shall prevent the
new governments from trying them for tres
son against the State, as Rhode Island tried
and sentenced Dorrf Or who can doubt tn at
they would do 1T II Is too svidcnf that ne ne
qroes can be ouSfed from The suffrage only By sue
ces.fIL iHsurreeiion Of hf ie6ae citizens dgdina
The nev State governments; and The World has TOO
deep sense Of responsibility and too clear fore
sight Of consequences, 10 advise The Convention 10
recommend this method Of redress. The effect OF
such recommendation would be to repel Re
puhlicans who are on other grounds ready to
Join US, and whose aid zoe must hare " TOE are 10
elect a PresideRi. II any OF our democratic
contemporaries think the party already as
large as they wish 1t, we do not share their
sentiments"
These are sound words, and the argument 10
well put and though the World, under party
pressure, Is bound to ignore this sensible talk,
the people will not go back nor consent that
Seymour and Blair should be elected, that
civil war and bloody revolution may be In
augurated.
The World now declares that the chief issue
IL, Shall negro reconI'rucfion ,'undi This Jour
nal, therefore, by making the above the chief
issue Of the canvass, eats its own words, and
goes over, bag and baggage, to Frank Blair,
Wade Hampton, and the destructives.