The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-02
THE ISSUE.

Adroit as was the manipulation Of the
recent Democratic convention, which met
at Assembly Hall much as the willy politi-
clans labored to hide the cloven hoof of the
secession-Democracy, the objects and de-
Examinations of the party are made as
clearly apparent by their silence, asiby their
utteranccs +; by their attempted conceal
ments, as by their ostentatious presenta-
tons. 1t was fully demonstrated that all
pledges, promises and pretences, made
from time to time by these men-that they
accepted the situation" their own phrase, }
and would for all time TO come recognize
the equality of all men before the law
were idle breath, made only to deceive, and
disguise their real purpose. .slibla ,
What that purpose is, may be seen at a
glance, and it is the same fell design as Of
old-to rule or ruin - i.7 Dc iHh sEd :
"Better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven"
is the leading idea with them; the idea
which lies at the root of all the troubles
and disorders in Southern States for there,
as in Virginia, the aim Of these would be
Caesars, is not to promote peace, secure
good government, and encourage industry !;
bat to prolong discord; that public opinion
may be enlisted on their side, and give COL
or Of excuse for their platform Of ven
geancc-death to Radicalism. A story is
told of a Quaker, whose religious ten
cts forbade him taking even brute life,
but desiring to rid himself of a troublesome
dog without killing it himself, he said, 81
will not kill thee, but I will give thee bad
name, . so he commenced crying, "Bad dog,
bad dog" Bystanders of course supposed
it was a mad dog, and speedily dispatched
it. Tsa ~
So it has been hitherto, and stills in this
State. The Secessionists are under re-
straint and dare not openly avow their pur-
pose to kill Republicans but they adopt
the cowardly policy of the Quaker, with the
dog in the story, give them "a bad name,".
in the expectation that the bystanders will
carry out their wishes and deal death to
Radicalisln. Now the plan of operations
has been the same in every Southern State
policy announced to the writerin 1865 by
a Confederate colonel. The Legislature of
Virginia had then convened, prospects
were that peace had really followed uncon-
ditional surrender, and we spoke to him
hopefully of the future. He replied that
we were mistaken in our supposition that the
war ended at Appomattox the army is
furloughed, not disbanded, and within fire /
years we shall gain our independence, and
all we have fought for and failed thus farm
obtaining. The very means pursued sub.
sequently, were indicated by the colonel, os- |
tracism and persistent agitation, until gas |
he expressed it, the ''last Yankee was |
driven OUT fat sssai p Us
Let it be borne in mind that this line of
policy. was adopted and announced before
single colored man was voter in any of
the States which had formed part of the
Confederacy, and while a Legislature, cleo
ted under the constitution of 1850, adminis-
tered that constitution at the capitol in Rich
mond; and, it is perfectly clear that the pre-
sent attitude Of the secession Democracy is
not taken because the "black wave of
Radiealism" has thrown colored men into
places of trust, or "yile Yankees have