The Republican journal., 1871-10-26
Speech by Senator Blair.

MONTGOMERY. Ala. oct 20. General Blair
of ihc >ub-ku-killX committee in a speech last
night alluded to the proposition that i'll the next
democratic national convention the South de-
cline 10 he represented. but accept whatever
candidate for President the democrats may Of
fer. lie dSsened from that proposition, as did
every democrat i'll the West and North. The
triumph OF the democratic party is the safety of
the South, and who should guard its safety but
the southern men. If they fail, may not others
fail: The South has no questions of personal
tHYoriteS. bat their choice will fall on him most
likely 10 carry the banner i'll triumph. II the
south fail to send her good and wise men it
will be claimed as 4 refusal to 90 with the
Northern democrats because of the ''neW de-
lrrture,' and because the spirit of rebellion
Sill burns under smOnlderIng ashes. He was
no friend OF the new departure, bat believed in
he patriotism and purity OF the motives Of
those who had chosen that faith. While he
would never yield his own conviction a. to the
constitutonalty of the usurpation of the rad-
cal party, he was willing to fight the radicals in
any shape the democrats may determine. lie
believed that the new departure policy failed to
bring success in the elections this summer and
autumn Tor the reason that it was a confession
Of inability to carry the elections upon our own
principles, In that confession the party failed
10 place CanddateS before the people IN har
mony with the platform. Thus, while some
democrats Were disguised at the concession. no
republicans were conciated. The future don't
l40k gloomy even under the losses OF the sum
MGR and autumn. The republican party con-
tsins in itself seeds of discomfort, bitterness.
rivalry and disatiection. The denomination Of
Grant would not, in his opinion. be defeated.
lie is now dictator in the republican party, and
a~pires to he in the country at large. He will
dictate his own nomination. Some Of the most
conscientious, able and courageous men, stand
ing the highest in the radical party, will leave
il when Grant is nominated; will burn their
ships when they fail to defeat his nomination.
"a tal-a n
In>etad OF going for the new departure. Blair
preferred giving a guarantee to the disatfected
republicans by the nomination of republican,
who would draw to Us by much stronger
guarantee Than the mere words OF a platform,
The support Of those disalected with Grant and
the radical party. We could all vote for re-
publican who taYOrS universal amnesty and is
against ku-klnv bills and military laws.
' lrgmia has adopted this policy. Shall the de
lIocr1cy of the South hesitate TO follow her eN-
ample? We have taken hold Of il in Missouri,
and Missouri would, he believed, give larger
majority IN the Presidential election than any
other Stale for candidate of the democratic
party. The men of foreign birth are the men
"a whom we are to look in the coming struggle.
They come from countries where desp0tism is
practical and know its badges and signs and
ure already recognizing them. Their leading
man and ableSt representative Is now proclaim
ing opposition to Grant and his administration.
He has taken his departure and burned his
ships II WAS Carl Schurz who led the entire
German clement of Missouri to break down
The dIslfanchlslng clause of her constitution,
and arrayed his teow-eoumrymen as one man
against the administration, and TO ueSplse its
offices, patronage and power. They stand fair
IL and squarely to-day-solidly 10 the last man
against all acknowledgements and for universal
amnesty. They are opposed to kll-kluX legls-
lttiOn and against the suspension OF the name as
c9FpNs, and if the democratic party put for
ward man or accept one who may be put for
sItE