Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-08-31
SENATOR CARL SCHURZ'S PO-
SITION.

dressed the Germans of Chicago on the
political situation. He spoke a potent
truth when he declared that 'the present
hour had brought to view anew order OF
things, with new problems, new dangers,
new duties, unprovided for in the old pro-
grammes of political parties. Our civil
war, in sweeping away the doctrine ofSe-
c~ession, abolIshing slavery and breaking
the shareholders power, had established
the civil and political rights of all citi-
zens." He announced the true doctrine
of patriotism in the manly and lucid dec
l~aration that 'the interest of the country
demands that the questions growing out
of the war, embodied in the XIII. XIV,
and XVIII Amendments to the Constitu-
ton should be accepted by all political
parties, as the theory of civil and political
rights, and are the only ones consistent
with the maintenance of free government.
The prejudice of persons averse to the
amendments must be overcome by patriot
ic men, firmly upholding the results ofthe
war, and the Southern people must be
gradually cut loose from the past and its
painful memories as we'll as their peculiar
desires and aspirations, and their thoughts
directed to those interests which we nave
in common" This is a comprehensive
accurate diagnosis of the malady that is
rioting upon the vitality of our political
system, and the prescription of remedy
that will not fail of a speedy and perma-
nent cure. The speaker considered it
zone of the most serious blunders of the
Republican party that amnesty was not
long ago granted. In a Republic the
whole political organization of society was
based upon the universally of suffrage,
the equality of political privileges. Dis
Reinstatement was used by one party to
perpetuate its power, and was the lever of
INSCRIPTIONS politicians who would 9TH
erwise sink into a deserved obscurity.-
The distractions and fierce commissions in
Missouri, under the rule of disfranshise-
ment and political disabilities, land the pros
perity that now prevails in that State,
were conclusive evidences of the profcien-
cy and soundness Of his argument.
IL regard to the Ku-klux Bill and the
San Domingo question the distinguished
speaker held the following language:
1t has been said that the Ku-Klux bill
was brought forward in Congress. not
merely for the purpose of suppressing dis
order and violence, .but of enabling the
Republican Party to maintain or restore
its a~scendency, especially the President.
to secure for himself the electoral vote of
the South by the machinery of that law.
1t is my deliberate conviction, based upon
personal observation, that the majority of
those who voted for the bill had no other
object than to afford protection to per-
sons in the South who seem to be exposed
to persecution and outrage. Many voted
for the bill with hesitation and regret
L don't want to justify their vote or to ex-
cuse anybody, but to be just. l am hon
estly cow inced that nothing has done
more to keep up a live spirit from which
Ku-Klux outrages proceed than the acri-
monious war that was waged upon recon-
struction measures and constitutional
amendments, and the studious encourage
ment given to the hope that all these
things would be swept away again if the
Democratic party should come into pow
er. l am furthermore convinced that the
large majority of the Republican party,
North and South. favor a liberal, gener-
Gus, and strictly constitutional policy, and
that the demagogues and sehemers among
the leaders of that party would have been
utterly impotent had not the lawless ele-
ment in the South and the blind reaction
lists everywhere furnished them capital to
work upon.
Speaking of San Domingo, the speaker
said the annexation of San Domingo
would lead to the annexation of the
American tropics down to the Isthmus,
giving a population possessing nothing in
common with us. The Senator said:
81 have been severely censured and
attacked for my attitude in this affair;
that cannot touch me; but when a Res
pectable Republican journal summons
Mr.. Sumner and myself to compose per-
sonal differences with the President for
the sake of public interest, it deserved an
l cannot understand this view
of public affairs. l know no personal
difference that could influence my politi-
cal attitude. My personal relations with
the President were never otherwise than
l complain of nothing, and
were it otherwise 1 would certainly lose
my self-respect if, on account of personal
1 was capable of attaching the
policy of the President but if the Presi-
dent were my dearest, most intimate
his friendship would not restrain
from opposing a violation to the Con- !
'titution. Il
No Statesman has studied our compli-
with deeper analysis than Senator
BY intelligent observation and
he improvement of the opportunities af- S
orded by his high position, he has made {
Iimself acquainted with the animus, de- !
igns and programmes of parties, and his I
and suggestions are entitled to S
consideration. L
Thoroughly conscious of great lack of :
bility and purity in their own ranks, the t
democracy have deluded themselves with
lie elating persuasion that the distinguish 7
l Senator had virtually joined their =
We cbeerfully allow them all a
le sweet comfort and bouyancy that his n
speech can possibly afford them. a