New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-29
of THE SOUTH

THE REPUBLICANs Of THE SOUTH
Because of the Importance of the subject
discussed, we copy the following editorial
article from the Washington Chronicle:
The Democrats of South Carolina, follow.
ing the example Of the Confederates in sew
eral of the other Southern States, have
exchanged their gray uniforms for more ore
Democrats of Virginia and Mississippi
put on the domino of Conservatives,
those of South Carolina clothe them.
selves in the dress Of the Union Reform
party This was not difficult feat,
considering that there never was much OF q
Democratic party In South Carolina till the
rebellion brought the aristocracy Of the
State to realize that the next best substi-
tute for treason was the party that has SYM
pathized with it. 1t is, therefore, marked
concession to the unity and good house.
keeping OF the Republicans of South Caro-
lima that the Union Reform party, in its
platform laid down at Columbia on the six
teenth of June, declared that the fifteenth
amendment should be faithfully observed,
the reconstruction laws treated as
accomplished facts, with the force OF
fundamental law, and that on this basis
the entire people should act in har-
mony for the common good. They
then nominated Judge Carpenter, a Repub.
lican, who was johnson man in 1866, and,
withsl, an able speaker, for Governor; and
General G. M. Butler for Lieutenant Cover
nor. Had the Republicans been divided, or
had they failed fairly to administer the
State government, we should undoubtedly
have had no such resolutions and nomina.
lions: nothing but Democratic men and
measures. The election takes place on the
third Wednesday of October next, when
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Legisla-
ture and Representatives in the forty
second Congress will be chosen. The Re-
publicans hold their convention on the
twenty-sixth July, also at Columbia, and
there seems to be little doubt that the pres.
emit fearless executive, General r. Z. Scott,
will be renominated.
One of the great difficulties of the South
ern Republicans has been the indifference,
and in some cases even the hostility to them
and their sufferings, OF many OF the re-
publican papers in the old free States.
But for this Indifference and hostility Vir-
ginia would have gone Republican in July
OF 1863: Georgia would long since have
been safely reconstructed; even Tennessee
might have been saved, and the reign Of
terror in other States either never attempted
or else promptly and sternly checked. Let
us hope that, in view of the bad re-
suits OF this unfriendly spirit. our associates
in the South will hereafter be treated with
more Justice by the leaders of Republican
opinion in the North.
That the Republicans of the South have in
all things succeeded liz the administration OF
affairs, they neither claim themselves nor
their friends for them. But when we reflect
what they had to encounter, as we'll from
outside doubts an I denunciations as from
inside bigotry and hate-how much they
bore under the three long years of Andrew
JOhnsOn's treachery, which revived the
worst passions of the war-and recall the
long catalogue of patriots murdered in cold
blood alone because of their devotion to
liberty-the wonder is that they have done
30 we'll, and that, in all this chaos OF blood
and DEATH they have not lost everything.
As we overlook the field we soon discover
that they have done much and saved much.
Even where they have been defeated, their
opponents have won alone by the amplest
pledges to Republican doctrines. The States
Of South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi.
Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas and
Florida can be held to the Republican party
by harmony among our friends, by GOOD
nominations, and BY economical admins
tration.
We can recover Georgia, Tennessee, Vir.
GINA and Louisiana, by the same means.
President Grant has given the emphatic
assurance that whenever the Governors of
these States can not check the violence of
the midnight rebel marauders. he will inter-
pose the strong arm Of the national au-
thority to protect the rights and property
of the Union people. Let Congress give
Georgia protection before it adjourns, and
the August and November elections in the
South will at least preserve the Republican
strength in that body.
Compare the short career of the Republi-
cans in these States, with the long despot-
ism of the Democracy in the same section,
tpd in iY,pio ptp
railroads instead of repudiating honest
obligations; in Arkansas developing the soil
and inviting emigration by liberal legisla-
ton, instead of living upon the stolen bonds
of the government; in South Carolina teach.
ing justice and equality, instead of secession
and State rights; and everywhere building
schools and churches; starting and publish
ing newspapers filled with liberal and Chris.
tan doctrines; encouraging home factories
and home labor; protecting the freedmen in
the enjoyment of the wages of industry; and
rapidly and surely laying the foundations OF
governments, which, existing by the con.
sent of all the people, can never again be
converted into citadels of treason, from
which to make war upon the Union and the
constitution.
If such is the result of little more than
five years. experience in building up a
party, where there was not only no party In
1860, but hardly man who dared to risk
his life By declaring himself a Republican,
what may we not hope from the future il
we are true to each other and to oul
principles ? The very fact that the Demo.
Gratis have no hope that is not identified
with men who are or have been Republic
cans, or without an open avowal OF Republic
can ideas. is at once our best indication and
our strongest inspiration.
The writer speaks of Republicans recover
ing Louisiana. We had supposed that
Louisiana already ranked as Republican
State with no probability ofits being carried
by any other party.
IF Mr.. Toombs never got the chance tc
call the roll of his slaves on Bunker Hill
he il partially recompensated by being able