Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-04-18
1.-THE poL1rI CAL PROSPECT

The political articles in Harper's Week
~, written by its editor, Hon. g. w. Cur
tbs, have long been recognized as among
the ablest, most profound and influential
of their kind anywhere published. In the
issue for the current week, under the title
1.-The Political Prospect we find an arti-
Gle so clear, forcible and significant that
we gladly give space to copious extracts. E
After noting the defeat of the Republi-
cans in New Hampshire, and their success
Immediately after in Connecticut, Mr..
Curtis says: 1.-THE people of this country,
who maintained the government during
the war, have not forgotten their work,
and do not mean to relinquish its results.
They cherish no yindictive feeling, but
they are not fools. While their own party
leaders sometimes displease them, SO that
they show their disapproval by letting an
election go by default, the moment the
enemy reveals his spirit and purpose, they
spring to their feet. - = - - g = :
The indignation that swept over the
North after the Memphis and New Orleans
nlassaeres, Mr.. Curtis says was but little
greater than that manifested over the de-
velopments in the South following the
New Hampshire Democratic victory. It
quickened the spirit of the Southern De-
mecfacy, and kuklux outrages increased.
I'm the midst of these events the country has
also seen Jefferson Davis suddenly conspicuous,
cause might yet be WON Mr.. Linton stephens,
brother of Alexander b Stephens, and re-
spected Democratic leader IN his section, de-
mands at Augusta the overthrow of all the re-
construction acts, and : "a readjustment of our
Institutions upon renewed constitutions" Lead
ing Democratic newspapers in the Southern
States loudly echo and applaud the demand,
and accept the New Hampshire election as q
sign that the work of the war may be undone.
The most representative of these papers remind
their readers that the last National Democratic
Convention declared the reconstruction acts
Unconstitutional, revolutionary, and void"
and claim that they are not less so now and
that they must, of course, be the issues in 1871
The Democratic party is the organization Of
all the elements of reaction,I disorder, disconel
tent and revolution. 81 The same spirit which
compelled even its first convention after the
war to denounce reconstruction, and to declare
ages loyal sections with the kuklux, and de-
mards an entire reconsideration Of all that has
been accomplished, would certaily refuse TO pay
the pensions of loyal soldiers, or would demand
an e4uAl pay LAachk OF rebel c1alu1f. Inc preS-
pect Of Democratic success is one of endless
confusion, alarm and anarchy The passions Of
slavery and Of She war are snzould z not ex-
tinquished fires Whatsyer criticisms NAV Be
made Of certain details of Republican admins
tration. its general success, the profound con-.
fdence that 1t is both honest and economical.
and that the government Of the Union is safer
in the hands Of its proved friends than it pos
s;blv can be in those OF all its enemies Of every
Kind. are more than enough TO commend that
administration to the hearfiest support of al
good citizens. = slss9 x.so I.jsss. 10 lieqf.e,
1T Is because We believe the situation is sud
denlv clear to the honest and loyal people of the
Tinted States that NE also believe they will now
fall into line and move unitedly forward to VIC
torv. They have perfect faith in the honesty Of
the administration, and they know shat dissent
ers have now expressed their differences and
dissatisfations. They will not indeed, hesitate
vet to do so; but every ma. who eoItpEe bends
the disasters sure to follow Democratic eql,trcf
of the government viii INSIST that Republican
criticisms of our own party shall be friendly,
ard not helpful to the comTnon enemy for jb Us
only by friendly eriticsm that the party, policy
is made truly wise. "a .fersssa - 81 ~ IL
s.,-ls,~,la for fha CrzpovFc4r