Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-15

Are the Southern People OppressedS
One of the most unreasonable and yet most
frequently repeated charges against the repub-
lican party is that its policy is UNJUST and OPP
pressiye to the people Of the southern states. A
western Greeley paper, for example, asks Mr.
Garrison, as a representative republican, "when
il will be safe to treat the people Of the southern
states as men and brethren, and not as subjects
and crimnasW There is not shadow of ex-
cuse for the accusation implied in this question,
aud every intelligent person must kaow it, if he
gives any thought to the subject; but the charge
has been repeated so often, and with so much
assurance, and SO many arguments and appeals
have been based upon this assumption. that
many thoughlless people, together with some
who are not in general willingly misled, have
come to believe it true. In fact, it is as far from
the truth as possible. OF the two. or three. if
there are 50 many, political parties of the coun-
try, the republican alone has a wise and beneyo-
lent regard for the welfare of the people of the
southern states. We say this deliberately and
with confidence. We are sure the statement
cannot be successfully denied.
In the first place, who are the people of the
southern states2 They are, of course, the men,
women and children who live there, white and
black, democrats and republicans. Nearly half
of Them are coored people; in some states these
exceed the whites in number, in others their re-
speetiye numbers are nearly equal There are
also among the people white republicans not in
significant in point Of numbers These TWO
classes comprise majority of the people of the
southern states. The measures denounced as
intolerably oppressive TO the south were enacted
by republican majority in congress, and faith
fully executed by a republican president for the
protection Of these people from the cruel and
outrageous despotism of an insolent and muir
derous organization Of ruiians. They proved
well adapted TO their purpose. The people for
whose benefit they were devised and executed
look upon them with gratitude and trust; these
very measures constitute the strongest claim of
the republican party for the support Of these
southern citizens, who are a majority Of all the
people Of the southern states. This majority, at
least, The republican party does not treat as
subjects and criminals, but il alone, Of all polit
ical parties now or ever existing in the United
States, has recognized and enforced their right
10 be treated as men and brethren
But the persons who reiterate the charge Of
depressing the southern people, when they
speak Of "the people Of the southern states"
mean probably the democrats Of those states. the
men who formerly claimed for themselves ex
eiusiycly all the rights Of manhood and citizen.
ship, and, as our institutions then were made
good their claim. Before the war tbev wore
politically speaking the people Of the southern
states II il is intolerable oppression, treating
them as subjects aud criminals 10 admit other
people who have the same natural rights as
they 10 M equality OF political rights, 50 that
those who were once the people Of the southern
states are not now the whole people, then the
republican party has pursued and still main
tains policy Of oppression. But this Is not
oppression; lis justice. The republican party
has not oppressed aud does not wish to Cypress
The democrats Of the south. They have the
same political aud civil rights which the people
OF other states enjoy. No one Is deprived Of The
right 10 vote, and not 1--WE hundred persons in
all The south are debarred from holding office.
ghe state aud municipal governments