The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-08-12
Letter from Washluston.

trust mat can be placed on the s0-called ma
tive white loyalists. 1t seems certain that
there are but few of them who have any real
faith in the principles of our Republican par /
ty. Two sentiments generally actuate this |
class of the population. Both are born Of in
fluences not to be depended upon for steady |
effort. These are hatred of Democracy and
of sclass who are better off than them
selves. The influences acting on such minds,
ere of course those that appeal most intensely
to Their prejudices, one of which is an in
tense sectional dislike of northern men and
influence. l wouldn't give continental six
pence for all the genuine principle divorced
from hatred, which may be found in the
length and breadth of the South, among the
native whites thereof.
In North Carolina, the colored people COM
prise about one-thrd of the population. The
census of 1860 gave the State population OF
G31 100 whites and 3G1, 1922 colored persons.
The colored population has probably de-
creased slightly, owing chiefly to slave re-
movals during the war and free migration
since, at any rate it will be found not to have
increased. The registered colored vote was
100000 whites and 1857 colored voters
Thus there would be needed abont 1900
white votes to carry the State. The recent
election seems to have been conducted, OIL
the part of the opposition, not on Democrat
ic grounds direct but conservative; distinc-
ton, it is true, without difference except
that of sound, which on the.whole is sufficient
to catch the western North Carolinaism.
Another reason, besides that of prejudice,
is more creditable to the voters. 1t is dis
gust at certain corrupt railroad "rings" which
have resulted in the issuing of bonds to an
extent that the thrifty people of the Tar and
TurFentine State never dreamed Of There
is a certain e1-Brigadier, now fighting in
Florida, who succeeded in cajoling the North
Carolinians into certain railroad movements,
causing the issuing of large amount of rail
road bonds, and the as sudden depreciation
of the State credit.
But the most potent reason for the reaction
IS the terrorism the rebel element are able to
organize into power and hold over the ig-
norant, white masses of theseSouthern States
The more study one gives to the effect of
slavery the more certainly it is felt that the
worst influences arising therefrom are those
which have degraded the whtes-debauch-
ing the slavehold;ng class and as rule de-
priving the non-saveholding of nearly every
manly element. Arkansas fear is to follow
the course of North Carolina. There are
plenty of reasons unfortunately, for being dis
setisfed with the character of those who have
undertaken to become representative republ-
cans in the so 18th, but they are even at their
worst very much better than the old school
politicians. They are not only personally cor
rupt, but traitorous. They are more, being
either leaders or tools of that terribly maig-
nant spirit Whose outcourse is the murderous
organ cation called the Ku Klux Kan, the
Knights of the White Camelia or the White
brotherhood. The defeat of the Republicans
in North Carolina is the handing over of that
State to the sway of banded assassins. It's
effect will soon be seen in increased terrorism
and violence, for North Carolina is more ig-
norant and its rebels are not hampered by al
lies enough, as is the case to some extent in
Tennessee, to be drag upon their full career
OF malisnancy. Conservative victory while it
has had some real food for itself to feed indig-
nation upon, means in North Carolina the
rehabilitation ola social polity which we
had hoped received its quetus from emanci-
patton, system which have heard tersely
described as "veneered barbarism."
From letters received here it is probable
that Harris in the Raleigh district VI i'll be able
to make out good case for contesting
his opponents right to the seat 1t is
really pity that after such comparatively
poor exhibition Of ability as Senator Revels
has made, that we should not have had elect
ed colored man so able, eloquent and saga
cious as James II. Harris, who is really the
ablest colored politician in the South The
Demoeratssher are jubilant, they count sure
ly On carrying the entire South, they expect
to carry at least twenty one additional Repre-
sentatives in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New
York. observe that in their count they in
cllde the LIST Distric in Maine. For one at.
ter carelll and thorough analysis of the chan
ces do not believe it possible for the Demo
Gratis to carry the next House, yet there can
be no doubt that sufficient reasons for alarm
exist to demand from all the utmost exeriion
thorough and honest canvass. Col. Forney
whose part'zan senses are always keen shows
whence OF alarm. 1t is qrite as we'll that
this feeling should exist. 1t will be beneficial
rather than hurtful to have only majority
in the House sufficient to carry on legislative
business. One thing is certain, and that is |
that fbo rn Of fbo A.
main have to be done at home
AN UNwIsE ACT.
The Congressional Republican Committee, |
as now organized or managed, will be of but |
little service, fear. Its first movement, that |
OF assessing clerks in the Department, has |
already provoked so much hostile criticism, as |
to have deprived it at the outset of much pos |
slDle usefulness. In one respect this action |
will prove of value in probably an unexpected |
way. mean in inducing The clerks to 90 |
home and vote. They don't want to pay the |
one per cent they are asked for, nor do they |
wish to be recommended for. dism issal as a |
subordinate officer of the committee to day |
informed delegation of Ohio clerks would |
be the case; rather insolently,; in my judy |
ment, undertaking TO speak for his employers |
and the party managers ,probable action. The |
clerks not wishing to pay for The purpose CT |
assisting somebody besides their own repre-
sentatives, nor DESTROYS of being threatened |
by removal, have generally determined, 1 find, |
to go home and vote. This is much better
thing than could have been effected by their
tax being paid to the committee. The bur
den in any event would fall the hardest on
those least able to pay, as the leading officials
those who feel secure in their places by rea-
son probably OF usefulness-have generally
determined to pay nothing in the way of an
assessment. 1t is shame that owing to the
advice of some one over anxious to make a
splurge, as ignorant of the real condition of |
political affairs, that such b.undey should I
have been made, followed up as it is by
threat of decapitation on the part of any I'M
fortunate devil who is too poor to honorably
pay such tax. Mr.. Chairman Wilson had
better come on here and look after his COM
mittee business, or it will ego to the bad"
MAIL STEAMSHIP SERVICE.
Representative Calkins Of New York was
here last week, and submitted proposition
TO the Postmaster General for the establish
ment OF line of mail steamers between
new York and Antwerp. The combination
nc hoped TO effect was between the Pacific
Mall steamship company, VIM. IT. Webb the