The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-16
The Republican Party.

The Republican Party.
The Republican party is the party of peace,
progress and civilization. 1t aims, as far as
may he, to secure the happiness of each in
sdiviual by form of government and code
of laws adapted to their existing wants and
necessities. The groundwork of the Re
publican party is the principle, that all the
citizens are equal in respect to cioH ANIL pO-
iieal rights. This is the foundation OF the
American Republican system, and distin-
guishes our government from the monarchies
and missionaries of Europe. Those govern
ments are founded upon the idea of caste,
that is that one class of men are b0rn aoith, or
derive from their Creator certain political
privileges, which are denied to other men.
Color has nothing to do with this distinc-
ton The white scrfs of Europe are as much
under the ban as the slaves of the United
States once were. This idea of caste pre-
walls amongst US. Those who make any pre-
tension to craftsmanship, and who would
deny the right of suffrage to the colored
people, assert at the same time that this
right should be taken away from the poor
and uneducated whites In one word, con-
servatism means simply this: none but the
educated and the property-holders should be
allowed to take any part in the government
The vast majority of the people, both white
and colored, not being blessed with wealth
or education, are thus placed at the mercy OF
the governing few, and all history shows
that a limited governing class or ohgarchy,
have invariably oppressed the masses to adj
vance themselves. The same line OF argu-
ment that takes suffrage from the black man,
takes it away from the humble white man
and conservative politicians have no hesita-
ton in saying privately, that if their views
were carried out, there should be property
qualification for white and black alike. fthe
poor uneducated white man would guard his
own rights, let him see to it that the colored
citizens are not deprived of theirs.
In extending this right of suffrage to the
colored citizens, we have not encroached
upon the rights of any one. And yet the
cry of oppression has gone up from the low
ers of the old times and customs, that their
riohts are disregarded, and that they are
tramnled into the dust, because, forsooth,
eoual rights have been extended to Others!
1t was upon the same principle that the
Jews of old waxed exceedingly wroth and
complained of an Infringement on vested
RIGHTS when the gates of Heaven were de-
clared open to the Gentiles. The late Con-
yention imposed no disabilities; on the con-
trary, they did not even continue the ols-
francbisipe clause in the Howard amend
ment or in the reconstruction measures. inns
hberality has not been properly appreciated
by those in whose favor the concession was
made. Although everything was done that
couId be done to soothe irritated feelings, to
conciliatc and to yield to prejudice where
nrinciple was not involved, the expected re-
sults have not followed. Bitterness against
scaIlawags and carpet baggers has not aba
ted one lot. The Republicans are still heid
mn as a party of adventures, mercenarles
and ignnran. nAsrnes- 1t is charged against
ns that we experience fiendish delight in
Witnessing what they are pleased to call the
ruin of the State and the degradation OF
our PEOPLE, and this in the face OF the TACT,
that thirty five thousand native white men
voted for the Constitution and the Republl-
can ticket. The cause OF this clamor does
not arise from any real fear that the interests
of the State are in jeopardy. 1t proceeds
from quite different source. The fact u.s.
that q few families have enjoyed the prlvll-
eoe of governing the State and disposlng OF
;ts patronage for so long time. that they
have actually come to the conclusion that
their interest has become vested by posses
zion This will account for their wailings and
,,oroxvsms when they See interlopcrs and
intruders," or in other words, those OUTSIDE
IF the family ring" occupying the seats
which they themselves have warmed 1or SO
long period of years. Thus reasons an"
bewails the defunct oligarchy.
IF it would not be a waste OF WORDS we
,,;oht reason with these respondents as 1ol-
lows. Tn the first place, the government OF
North Carolina must be administered lor the
benefit of the whole people, and not IN the
interest of any particular families OF CLASS
In the second place, we would endeaVor 10
show. that the Republican State officers ana
members of Congress elect have not been
guilty of arrogance and presumption lney
have not thrust themselves upon the peopie
of their own motion. North Carolina was !