Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-11
THE ISSUE IN 1879.

aAstffct division by party lines. Ever
republican supports it, every democra
opposes it. No other question has 8
clearly defined and marshalled part
strength as this All other subjects hav
failed to unite the forces of either party
In both there are adherents of Protection
and Free Trade, in both opposers. So il
all questions of currency, finance, reve
nue. reform, there is the same diversity
of opinion among republicans and demo
Gratis within their own ranks, rendering
impossible party concentration upon them.
Thus we have in the Shellabarger bill
the issue for 1872 presented. We are
brought back face to face with the REBEL
ion, not yet extinct. 1t has been hoped
that the better judgement of northern
democrats and their southern allies would
BY this time have realized the necessity
and advantage of accepting the situation
as settled by the appeal to arms, and ac-
quiesced in the reconstruction acts and the
amendments to the Constitution, as the
wisest and bes. course for them under the
circumstances. If the negro is free to-day
and voter, who made him so (not inten-
tionally we grant, but the rash advocates
Of secession and supporters of rebellion
If the social fabric is disturbed in the
South and the colored voter wields politi-
cal power the cause is found at the South
in the mad attempt of that section to over
turn the United States government and
establish confederacy resting for its per-
petuity upon negro slavery. Having en-
gagged in rebellion and fastened the over
throw of slavery and the clothing of the
negroes with civil and political rights, the
South has no reason to complain. For all
the woes which the southern rebels feel
resting upon them there is none to blame
but themselves. On this account iffor no
other they should be resigned to their lot.
The black was freed and armed to aid in
saving the government; he has been Civ
en- the ballot for his own protection and in
justice for the loyalty he displayed in the
war. II his rights are assailed the gov
eminent is found to defend him as much
as the white. So plain appears the right
Of the negro to protection and the expedi-
ency to the South of acquiescing in his
claims that we have believed neither south
efn rebels nor northern democrats would
continue to oppose muchless make it the
grand issue in the Presidential contest.
But we have been mistaken. All attempts
on the part of republicans in Congress to
hive this matter taken out ofpolities have
been useless. 1t has been thrust in in
spite ofthem, against their protests. Peace
has been postponed, murder and riot are
to be allowed free course, at the South,
so far as the democracy can consent to it,
in order to further a. fancied partizan tri-
sumph in 1872. That such a scheme
will fail is as certain as that God
rules. Based upon murder and out
rage it will b e supported by only
those who believe in such means to accom-.
plish an end. Animated solely by the
spirit of rebellion it will provoke into
fiery indignation and opposition the spirit
Of loyalty whichearried. the country safely
through the war, and this being done we
know what the result will be.
OF the fearful condition of the South we
have sufficient evidence of reliable char
acter. The public records, the reports of
individuals in public and private life, pri-
vate correspondence, and even the col
umns OF Ku-Klux newspapers, attest that
there is no safety for white or black who is
known to be republican or interested in
aiding the negroes to obtain education or
fair wages for labor. Organized opposi-
ton to the government exists in every
southern State. Death to the black race
and the white carpet-bagger is proclaimed
IN the secret haunts Of the Ku-klux. The
President has issued his warning to South
Carolina, despatched troops to other States
to aid in the enforcement of the laws, and
called upon Congress for authority to pro-
coed with more yigor against the assas-
sins and disturbers OF the peace. Every
republican in Congress has responded
with his vote in favor Of measures to pro-
tect the sufferers and punish the offenders,
and every democrat has raised his voice
against them. Frank Blair demands the
repeal Of the reconstruction acts and the
abrogation of the Fifteenth amendment
and the democratic papers endorse hi
course and ridicule the reports of out
RACES in the South as manufactured fol
pohneal purposes. They have voluntari
~ taken their stand in support of assassi,
nation, and the republican party after ex
postulation and entreaty takes the Other
side. Here then is the issue upon which
@we areforming for the campaign. of 1872
With the passage Of Shallabarder's bill h,
the Senate there will be no retreat. for th,
lines will be drawn after that so that the
cannot be erased The democracy hay
made their record and must answer for