The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1870-05-05

ming blow to the Democratic party
That party has lived and had its be-
ing in cultivating prejudices against
the negro. This unfortunate race,
guilty of a colored skin, has been
hunted and pursued by the Democracy
with every weapon Of contempt, carl
cature and abuse, which their malig
nant wits could devise. Contumely
and rcproach, without stint or pity,
has been heaped upon their heads
the highest authorities Of the party de-
claring that "the black man had no
rights which white men were bound
to respect"
Now, this deep, abiding hostility has
been imbedded into the very hearts of
The Democracy by this kind of cul-
turc-their editors and orators feeding
the popular mind on such food, until
it has become a part of their nature to
hate the African race. This prejudice
has become so strong as to carry cap
tive the minds even Of men of Chris
tian sympathies and general intelli-
gence-showing how much perversion
of truth and turning from the right
way may be produced by constantly
keeping before the people the same
theme.
The Democratic press has much to
answer for in its successful efforts to
perpetuate and intensity the antipa-
thies entertained toward this oppressed
race, But at last their Occupation IS
gone. +" The Fifteenth Amendment
sews up all such demagogism. This
party, which has lived 50 long upon
hatred to the negro, must now adopt a
change Of base.
On the day Of our Spring election,
when the negroes first voted under the
Amendment, 1 met, near the Court
House, a lifelong Democrat, who had
been witnessing the "desecration" Of
the polls by the black mans voting.
His heart seemed to be sad indeed.
He said, "Well, you (meaning Repub-
licans) have gained your ends at last.
You have accomplished all your pur-
poses so long labored for. The negro
is free and admitted to the polls p
Despair of the Republic seemed to
have seized his mind-the iron had
entered his soul. had often met this
man in his younger days. He had al
ways faith in the Democracy. Even
when defeated his faith did not,fail.
He had always entire confidence that
his party would rise again and rule the
country. But now the prospect was
dark and cherries. No ray Of hope
brought consolation to his troubled
soul. 1t is remarkable what an indu-
ence this prestige Of success, and strong
confidence in The perennial vitality of
this party, have had in holding it to-
gether under the most overwhelming
defeats. 1t was this impression of per-
manence which led so many of the
old pro-slavery Wings into this party,
on the dissolution Of the old Wing
party.
But how can this Democratic party
be kept together? A mere name-a
vague tradition-with no principle, no
vital, living i5sue-will not be sufic
lent. Nothing but some great, lead
ing, wide pervading and overriding
principle, will be potent enough to raj
ly party under the old name. The
old leaders can not do it. The people
will never trust and follow the Sey-
mOurs, the Hoffmans, the VOORHEES, and
VaIlandighams. These leaders are, for
the future, to be stale, fat and unprof-
liable, and must be thrust aside to give
way to new men, and a new order OF
things.
Why should not all true men accept
in good faith the new order Of things ?
Is not the true Democratic idea ap-
/ preached more nearly now, than ever
/ before? Is not the Jefferson idea Of
equality reached more perfectly than
ever before equal rights before the
law and every man by his vote con
senting to that law? Democracy
which means the rule Of the people, Of
course includes all the people whom
the laws affect. True Democracy re-
pudiates all caste. 1t is "government
of the people, by the people, for the
people"
Why, then, should not all true Dem
ocrats accept the situation and try to
make the best of circumstances? Why
should they continue to protest against
a solemn act of justice to this down
trodden race, as did the Democrats Of
our Legislature, including our Repre-
sentative, Hughes, at their recent ses-
sion?
The act of Emancipation, and our
laws, have raised from this people the
heavy hand of oppression. They have
rights which are hencefOrth to be rec
ognized. Why not give them the hand
of political fellowship? Why not CO
operate in all the methods and means
of his moral, political, and religious en-.
Iightenment? Why not contrive tC
make him fit depository Of a part o
the political sovereignty of the coun
try? There are Christian men WHIT
pass for intelligent men, who are will