The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-26
sIIORr MErRR.

A grave, monenteus issue now di-
vides the American People:
On the one side, it is insisted that
all those who participated in the late
rebellion, shall be Immediately, un-
conditionally, restored to every poll
tical franchise, while the four millions
of colored people inhabiting the va
rious States shall have no voice what
ever in framing, modifying or admin
istering the laws under which they are
to live.
This is the position of the so-called
latter the similitude ofBottom's dream)
Democratic party.
The Democratic party insists on this
policy, because ii kaous that The Rebels
riR oil rote uih that party, as they do
in Maryland, Kentucky, etc. phile
the blacks po'ld nearly all cotc against
il.
The Republicans, OH the other hand,
very generally desire that the Blacks
shall vote forthwith, while they re-
quire the more conspicuous Rebels to
stand back a while. But no one de-
mands or imagines that this disfran-
chisement shall be more than tempo
rary. Gov. Bullock's, Gov. Fair
child's and Gov. Chamberlain's mes
sagcs, Gen. Buffers late speech at
Richmond, and every other recent
commanding declaration of Republi-
can sentiment, prove that the party is
rapidly gravitating toward the CON-
prchensive, generous platform of Uni
versal Amnesty, with Impartial Suf-
frage.
The Democratic party expects by
suppressing the voice of the blacks in
the Southern States, to secure decd-
ed majority in each and every one of
them, and thus elect the next President
and House of Representatives. For
while its adherents are not majority
of the whole people Of those States,
they are, e majority of the whites; SO,
if none but whites vote, they can
sweep every State southwark of the
Potomac and the Ohio.
Andrew johnson, Booth-inade
President, is their leader in this effort
to suppress the voice ofa majority Of
the loyal people of the South, and
thus give the control Of those States to
that portion of their inhabitants who
profoundly regret that the rebellion
did not succeed.
Johnson's power not being likely to
suffice, they now seek and expect the
aid Of a majority ofthe justices of the
Supreme Court; whereby they hope to
nullity the power of Congress over the
subject Of Reconstruction, and re-os-
tablish the rebel predominance in the
South, and thus their own in the
Union.
The Republicans do not mean to be
put down either by Andrew johnson,
or the five Judges who are expected
to supplement an finish his work.
II they are beaten, and the blacks
crushed into nonentity, the ox-rabels
and their northern allies take posses
sion Of the Federal Government, and
reverse the results of Gettysburg,
Vicksburg, Five Forks, and Apo
mattox; making ours such a "Whitc
Mans Government" as the southern
arstocraoy sought to establish through
secession and confederation.
This can only be done by the Su-
premc Court constituting itself severe
ign arbiter in questions purely poll
teal ; contrary to its own decision in
the Rhode Island case and positively |
in that of West Virginia.
Understand, then, that tits false
that the Republicans are keeping the
southern States out of the Union.
They are doing their best to get those
States back into their proper position
in the Union-but not rebel eide up
"1hat's what's the matter"
It is false that the Republicans are
seeking to prolong military rule at
the south. On the contrary, they are
trying to hasten the superccssion of !
that rule by governments elected by |
the loyal people Of the respective |
States. We favor government by the |
whole people; our adversaries would |
the rule of a caste.
IKe seek to educate and elevate all
the people of the South. They would |
keep the blacks in ignorance, and |
make that ignorance a pretext for
their disfranchisement.' Judge them
by what they are doing in Maryland,
Kentucky and Delaware, where they
have full swing.
Republicans. Be not deceived by
false charges against Congress; even
though they emanate from those you
have hitherto trusted. Congress is
doing Justly, nobly what must be done
f the government is not to be tamely
TO a minority rule of Cop
oerheads and rebels. Stand fast by
your faithful and fearless representa-
lives in the councils of the nation !
~ Y. Tribune.