New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-11-20
TEc Defeats Of October and
November

The Republican party, in the recent State
elections, las met with rcverscs which may,
or may not, Ec important or controlling in
affecting the p"'nianvucy of TIE Organiza-
ton through which the nations unity was
maintained, and universal emancipation Of
OF the slaves reached.
The leading Republican newspapers have
been loud aid Jealous in warning the party
to profit by the defeats Of October and Nov
cmher. and TO study well tie rauScs that led
TO the triumph Of the Democratic PARTY, ard
the stay-at-hO!ac course OF Republicans.
We do not, fer me monet, believe that the
sentiment Of the large ma ior - Of the peo-
pie of this country has IN gone such a
radical change rs 10 desire 'cinsiate the
Democratic party in Il cortrC . position in
the nation; a patty L",.. q record as
shameful and wicked as treas could make
il. The intelligence, the + csty, the pa
triotsm and philanthropy Of i country are
TO be found acting with, and { IMPOSING, the
Republican party. The platforms adopted
by that party in tEr,' National conventions
express the aspirations and hopes of the best
classes of the people for the good Of the ma
ton. Integrity on the part of public officials,
economy in the administration of the gov
eminent, the development of the resources
Of the country, protection Of home industry,
firm adherence to the principles Of the
Declaration Of Independence, the freedom
and equality Of Americas citizens before the
law, to maintain aud establish these are
prominent among the duties Of the party as
understood by the masses Of its supporters
black or white. And it is alleged that be-
cause Of feeling, on the part Of many Re-
publican voters, that the leaders of the party
have failed to keep in mind the high aims of
the organization ard nave act Il in such man
ncr as net only 10 hing it in! Gsrepu,c but
TO ihwart the very objects 1t as established
to effect caused the great falling oil in the
party vote this fall.
We, with all who desire t. see the Gov
eminent administered in the interest of JUS
ticc and correct principles, wish to have 10
the Republican part: adhere firmly TO, and
maintain, the principles and pr jmises promul-
gated at each Of it, National Conventions.
The rcbuHe t. the party made by those who
RETAINED from voting at the late elections
was not made aloua By white voters, the
colored element of the party TO an extent
worthy OF attention had come TO the belief
that, in its management, il was losing
sight of the causes or principles which made
il Of value or importance to the colored peo-
pie of the country. As an example of the
feeling OF the oOlorcd voters, the failure Of
fifteen or sixteen thousand of them to vote
for Col. Hughes in Virginia because Of his
uniaithfulness TO the principle of Equality
before the Law, accepted and promulgated
by the National Republican Convention, is
significant. Colonel Hughes denied that the
principle Of equal and exact justice to all
men, as embodied IN the supplementary civil
rights bill, was a Republican measure. The
cu!brei voters belle ed il to be a Republican
measure, and to III" number, We are Informed.
Of NJ least fifteen thousau, remained away
from the polls. not wishing to s,uitify them
selves by eit!,r voting 70, the Democratic
CauHdJtr, or f,r ON" who al no rue con-
ception Of the princii les oft IL, party os which
he aired - IL. leader
None woali q yIore NOR. I'll II ourselves
a necessity for lie withdrawal because O.
deviation from lninciple-o9 "a support o.
the colnrci people from Il Republican
party; non can We b. I'd 70 Dc e that such
i result will eEsuc, roeau>e w l ally believe
that the errors al tle arty viii DC corrected
ia the party, and " earnestly hope that ii
will set Itself To work To that end by
an immediate repeal Of the back-pay legisla-
ton, and forward march toward making
real every promise Of the platform Of the
party adopted in Philadelphia. We believe
that those in the party who have an eve to
what is FrOiitable-not TO mention higher
considerations for il To perform, will agree
that the time for the establishment: of equality
before the law has arrived and that this
question cannot profi,ably be left unsettled
after the hope and promises that have been
held out by Republican platform and Re-
publican Presidents inaugural address have
led the cDlOfcd voters t. confidently expect
that the just measure Of freedom will he en-
acted. Those among the managers Of the
party who are not sulcly actuatcd by what
Is alone profitable fr the party, or what Is