The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-09-24
What VIII Be The Result of SEYMOUR Q
EaIecfi0nS

by the refusal of the beaten party to
submit to the verdict of the country.
The issue is SO clearly presented, that
It cannot be lodged or evaded. 1t is
an issue on which the people of the
United States have never yet had an
to vote. If the Radical
policy is voted down, do the defeated
intend to acquiesce in that
result, or to resist it? And if they re-
sist, do they mean to resist merely by
political opposition, or by arms!
Let US consider the consequences of
the three courses open to the Repub-
lican party after its defeat in Novem-
Der. r .r.-r,. .-...
First, We will suppose that they
submit with prompt and honorable
frankness to the declared will of the
majority that is, they consent that the
right of suffrage shall hereafter be left
to the State regulations without Fed
eral interference. In that case, there
will certainly be no disturbance. The
negroes will readily submit to what
ever State regulations may be made,
unless the Republican party shall stir
them up to munity. They could have
no hope of successfully asserting their
claims to the ballot with the whole
white race acquiescing in their
exclusion, ana Jneir own race divided.
In most of the Southern States, the
white population preponderates in
numbers, and monopolizes the advan-
tages which attend the possession OF
property, education and social infiu-
ence. It requires the disfranchisement
of large portion of the whites and
the presence of armies, to confer the
ballot upon the negroes proof,
which the negro intellect is capable OF
appreciating, that they are unequal to
cope with the white race unassisted.
The negroes, in view of the fact that
they have been crutched up by the
army and Freedmen's Bureau and
hy white disfranchisement, understand
their own weakness too well to resist
a change in the basis of suffrage, un-
less they are instigated and set on by
parties outside the Southern States.
If, therefore, the Republicans shall re-
cognize the right of the majority to
determine the great issue now pend
ing, there can be no disturbance.
Secoudly, We will inquire what
will be likely to ensue, if the Repub-
lican party, after being beaten in No
yember, shall keep up political agi-
tation for forcing negro suffrage on
the South by Federal authority. They
could, no doubt, fill the negro mind
with discomfort but so long as that
discomfort stopped short of overt acts,
it would be little regarded. The Re-
publicans, after the election, will be
deprived of their present machinery
for acting. on the negroes. The Freed
mems Bureau, supported by the army.
is vast political machine through
which Radical influence is brought to
bear Immediately on the negro race
in every part of the South. If the
Radicals get into close contact with
the negroes after the Presidential cleo
ton, it must be by emisaries paid out
of their private pockets, and no lon
ger out of the public treasury. The
consequence will be that, except in
the large towns, the negroes will bt
surrendered to the influence of theil
white neighbors. Moreover, it will
be found that the very Senators who
have been elected by the Radical leg
islatures will go over to the Other
side when they see that the Radical
game is played out. They are all ad-
venturers and place-hunters and the
prospect of white ascendency will
lead them to court the favor of the
white race. A man important enough
to be a Senator naturally covets social
standing in his own community. The
first Republican members of the Sen
ate who will be found to acquiesce in
the election of a Democratic President,
will be those who have been sent to
Washington by the Reconstructed
governments. Other Republican Sen.
ators will have some remains ola par
ty at home these carpet-bag Senators
will have none. To hold any relations
with the States they pretend to repre-
sent, they will have to change their
politics and being mere adventures,
they will change them without scru-
pie or shame when they find it to be
for their interest. We conclude, there
fore, that no disturbance in the South
will result from the election of Sey-
mour, if the Republicans shall there
after resist the Democratic policy only
by political opposition.
Thirdly, We are to inquire what
will be the consequence if the Repub-
licans shall attempt to stir up the Ne
groes to violence and insurrection. It
is supposable enough that they might
do this if they had anything to gain
by it: for they are utterly unscrupu-
lous. But it would damage more than
it would help them, and they will not
try it. If forcing negro suffrage on
the States by Federal authority is not
sanctioned by the people in this Pres
idential election, it must be mani fest
to all competent judges that it never
will be; and party wishing to regain
lost power will not take so unlikely
method as stimulating negro insurrec-
tions of which the blame would be
charged upon itself. Politicians will
have no motive, and the real friends
of the negro no wish, to push this con-
troversy any further, after a majority
Of the people have decided against the
Radical policy. The success of the
DamocTatic candidates will tbarpfnra