National Republican., 1873-06-04
SOUTHERN RsPUBIrCANs,

Address OF Hon. J.. II. Chaudior-Thc Trne
Policy Of the th-Educaiion-Bieva-
tion OF Labor ard Internal Improve
mests-Tbe Republican Party the Party
Of Progress.
The Southern Republican Association met last
evening In Clarkes hall, the president Mr. Mur-
phy, In the chair. Roodly number were pres
ent, and after the transaction Of some routine
business Hon. l.. II. Chandler was introduced
and proceeded to deliver highly Instructive ad-
dress upon the present condition and true pollcy
The annals Of history record no parallel to the
late revelation In the South. Not only were the
% lions Of desraGed % md ISnorsSt slaves % we're
touched by the magic wand Of the lamented
Lincoln and set free, BY subsequent Legislation
Invested with the ballot, and clothed with all thS
rights and privileges OF the whites. And how
have they behaved under this ordeal, and
through all the ylelssit1des by which this
becoming modesy, docinty and gratitude;
Contrary TO the expectations OF most OF
the Intelligent men Of the south obseryant Of
the habits Of these people under the compulsory
system, they have shown q truly wonderful
adaptablllty to tho free-labor system. A. an
illustration, instead Of q failure TO produce a
nye years after the close Of the war free labor
produced larger crop than was ever made be
fore the war under the slave system.
But In order TO achieve the highest rate OF pro
duetlon labor must be Intelligent The safety Of
any republic Il IN the intelligence Of the people
Il ls therefore the interest OF the south 70 main
tain free schools, Education should be free a.
air and water TO rich and poor, white and black
5chool-houses must adorn every valley aud hill
top for they are the nurseries OF order and piety
uee e blazing @ s Jewels; M and what party can be re
lied upon TO DO this but the party OF progress
the Hepublican pafty-that party which com
the bureau, and continued It by engraftlng pro
visions for free schools upon the constitution
Of most OF the states when reconstructed.
Mr.. Chandler next adyerted to the oommotlol
now existing among the farmers Of the North
west, for the purpose OF enectinR cheaper trans
portation TO the seaboart for their produce, an
TO the recommendation Of President Grant, y
his last annual message to Congress, that N
subject shsuld be inquired into. Designing me-
I and ambitious politicians were alwsJs 70 ,
found ready 10 take advantage Of such clamor
for the purpose Of forming new parties for thel
. personal aggrandizemenL such were attempt
Ing TO make capital out OF the present o0mlno
/ ton. But what party 30 likely 70 achieve the n
sult desired as the Republican, which had alread
/ By loans Of credit aud grants OF lands secure
more9
, that no great reiuctIon In freights from tn
Mississippi Valley to the seaboard can be eS
pected by railway. The laws OF grades and fric
ton and wear and tear OF machinery are VI
changeable, and below q certain nxed rate pe
mile fre,ghtA cannot be hanled over railway
Their capacity Is also limited. We must the
|, look to the routes for economy. OF these, tire
Q present themselves: First, the CHESAPEAKE an
y bhlo canal, from Washington TO the Ohio; se'
] ond. the James River aud kanawha canal, frol
9 the James TO the kanawhA; third, the Georgi
Q canal, from the Tennessee to the Ocmulgee an
. Savannah rivers. The construction OF thei
:. works would enable the Western farmer to d
3 liver his grain In Norfolk at q cost OF lOE cen
0 per bushel, while IL now costs 70 cents by N
, Northern routes, a difference Of 6iS cents p
/, bushel, to be divided between the farmer aud Il
|; consumer.
}, would be that OF any ten railways. The Mort
/. ern water routes are closed iye months In u
n year by Ice. These Southern routes will furnli
an uuobstrueted passwAy for Western produ'
nearly the whole year, aud this again VIII o
n ylAte the expense Of winter storage and lnsu
d ance, The opening Of these lines, passing,
I. they do, through regions prolific q iron, COZ
e aud hemp, the production and manufacture W
+ be greatly stimulated for exchange for the pr
Z, visions and breadstufs Of the West. All can 8
Z, at glace the wonderful effect that would
.. produced upon the Aouth by the expenditure
r. the hundred millions that II will cost to open
l. all these lines, and II IL not necessary for me
a. Capital will he Invited, and population aud /
"A tax.paying capacity OF the people Increased te
fold.
IS objections to the granting Of aid by the Fede
&c Government, but they are few, ana there Is rea
ID no more objection TO granting dollars for sn
purposes than lands. Aud did not virginia,
70 iTsI, cede these very lands (uow become Stat
sd TO the General Government, dedicated TO Il
u lAbor7 II Is no more than right that the sal
n Government should provide free and unO
structed passage for the results OF that free lat
IN to a market, even through the bosom Of tn
oil old mother, Virginia. Reciprocal trade and pr
n teal Justice alike require u.
he Looking at the political complexion OF be
al houses OF Congress, from whom this aid Is to
H. sought, we md them both largely Republci
It IL our duty II we olld achieve success then,
ID see TO It that our State governments are broul
rs into political sympathy with Congress-. We mi
r. bend every effort TO elect Republican Govern
nd and Legislatures In the appruac ing contests.
n Mr.. Chandler spoke for more than an hour, a
ic, his remarks were received with great fAv
Our imperfect sketch, we regret to say, aHO
none OF the rhetorical beauties or pOetlcal quo
", tlOns with which II Abounded.
4 A vote OF thankA to the speaker was una
s. mously passed, aud the association adjourned