Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-13
State Temperance c,
Mr.. BLAIRS LETTER.

Montgomery Blair has written a COM
munication to the New York World. which
appears in that paper, giving reasons for
the adoption of the passive policy by dem
ocrats. His first reason is because, as he
says, it has been tried in Virginia and
Wisconsin, and been successful in both in
stances. Second, the new departure poll
CIV was failure, and hence it is evident
that the democracy cannot adopt any plat
form with success. Their only hope is to
adopt no platform, nominate no candi-
dates, but encourage independent nomina-
tons by disaffected republicans, and sup
port them. The democratic party must
not abandon its organization, but continue
it in full power and discipline. 1t must
neither expect nor claim any share in the
distribution of offices or patronage; these
are to be left at the disposal of the recall
citrant republicans.
The motive given for this proposed
sweeping abnegation of self by the demo
cratic party in the surrender of platform,
candidates, spoils, everything for which
parties exist, is simply to rid the South of
carpet-bag governments, and strike down
the arm Of the administration and Con-
gress where it is extended over the States
lately in rebellion. Mr.. Blair represents
the case of the South AS follows -
There is no tyranny as terrible as that of
one people over another. And the fact that
the governing people are good and great in
other respects does not soften the oppression.
Our fathers preferred death to the rule of
England, and who that has a heart has not
been touched by the story of Ireland? But
the rule of England over our fathers, and
even over IRELAND, was merciful compared
with that Of the negroes and carpet baggers
set over our Southern people by the North
Every species of indignity and outrage has
been heaped upon them. No people have
ever been plundered and Inundated as they
have been and continue to be- They have
submitted with incredible patience at the in
stance of the Northern democracy, in the be-
lief that by such heroic forbearance they
would enable that party to wrest power from
their 0ppressors. But the fact that the South
would come again into power with the democ
racy has hardened the hearts of the Northern
people. They have interpreted the cry for
mercy as mere device to regain power, and
have treated the futile attempts made to dis
lodge them as rebellion, and have visited
them in reconstruction, ku-klux bills, martial
law to punish them in short, have proclaimed
anarchy for them, DISTINGUISHING every man
among them competent TO exercise power
and licensed theft and spoliation in every
form. General Hampton and other Southern
leaders, who have seen that the only effect of
their efforts to put the democracy in power
was TO expose their helpless people to further
vengeance from exasperated enemies, have
advised the South not to send delegates to the
democratic national convention. They are
grateful for the good feelings of their North
ern friends, but experience has proved that
they are powerless.
Now it will be seen at once that Mr.
Blar's sympathy is entirely expended up
on the white race Of the South. There is
not a word in favor of the abused and
suffering negroes His plan has not en-
braced them. They are not in his estima-
ton a part of the people of the South.
although in some States they outnumber
the whites, and in all are the PRODUCING
laboring part of the people. They are to
be left TO the tender mercies of the Ku-
Klux rabble, outraged. murdered, terrified
from voting. not allowed TO give evidence
in court, sit upon juries, or enjoy the ben
efits of education. Their condition is of
no consequence in the eyes of Mr.. Blair,
but for the whites, the late rebels, he is