Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-12-24

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ION, and the hue and cry they raised
about the flag which they haddenounced
as Haunting lie. Here are two of the
verses circulated by the Black Republi.
cans in 1854 just about the time Of the
organization Of their party.
Gan hail the Haunting lie,
The stars grow pale and dim,
The stripes are bloody scars,
lie the Wanting hymn.
| TEAR down the Haunting lie,
Half mast the starry Gag,
| Insult no sunny sky
With hates polluted rag"
Mr.. G., conscious perhaps of the weak.
ness Of his cause, and wishing no doubt
to divert attention from the points at
issue, has taken US back to the time of
the adoption of the present Constitution.
He tells us that the Democrats "oppos-
ed even the adoption of the present
Constitution" Really the gentleman
must have read the history of the coun-
try and of the Constitution up side down,
or in some other "drowsy and incom-
prehensible" manner to have arrived at
such conclusion. History has been
teaching us all this time that in the
Convention which framed the Constitu-
ton, the Jeffersonian or Democratic and
States-right party triumphed over the
Hamiltonian, Federalist or Strong Gov.
ernment party in the production of q
Democratic Constitution.
Mr.. Graves further states, that the
Democrats opposed every measure for
funding the public debt" &C., and in
stances scheme offered by Alexander
Hamilton. As I have not here space to
allude to all these particulars, I will
meet this allegation with this broad
declaration-that from the adoption of
the Constitution to the election of Abra-
ham Lincoln, the country was almost
uninterruptedly under the control of
the Democratic or States-right party,
and when not so, of equally good State
right .WhiGs--there bein1 not more
than one o. two excepti.rin the cleo
tions of Presidents-and that the legis-
lation of those times was endorsed by
such men as Washington, Madison, JEFF
ferson, Jackson, and others of our great
men, and that during those days the
country prospered greatly and advanced
rapidly in material, wealth, prosperity
and population, and peace and plenty
abounded throughout the land. But
mark the differerence upon the advent
of the Republican party into power and
what do we see? Civil strife, dissen-
ton, want and suffering in many parts
of the land, high tariffs and heavy tax
alton. Contrast the difference Of the
country then and now; look on this pic
ture and then on that, and tell me which
party is entitled to the gratitude of the
country and the confidence and support
of the American people?
But says Mr.. Graves, evil not eve-
ry act that has been committed by the
Democratic party serve as an incentive
to excite a war of races? Have they
not counseiled and encouraged the white
man to array himself against the color
ed MANI" answer, no! never But
what can we say of the Black Republi-
can party in this respectp From the
time Of the organization of the party in
1854, to the present time, to promote
disaffection and opposition between the
colored people and the white people of
the South has been the direct tendency
of their acts and legislation. In fact,
this has been the very essence of the
party. Without it they never could
have controlled the country and the
government as long as they have, and
this is why they got the name of Black
Republican. After the, war was over
and slavery had been abolished and the
South had submitted in good faith, the
Republicans, to perpetuate their power
in an illegal, arbitrary and despotic man.
ner, foisted upon the country so-called
Constitutional Amendment, investing
with the elective franchise nearly mil
lion of lately emancipated slaves, and
against all principles of justice, required
of the Southern States its adoption as the
price of their admission into the Union.
But did they do this from principles of
humanity or love for the colored man,
or with n view to advance or better his
condition? No, none of this. But thev
did it that they might, BY the aid Of
the colored vote, retain control of the
Government, and be enabled thereby to
satiate their hatred for and still furth-
er rob, oppress and plunder the people
of the South; enjoy the spoils Of Of
fee and FIJI their pockets with the i'll
gotten gains flched from an oppressed
and suffering people. And afterthe So
called adoption of this amendment and
before. men of the worst principles in
the Republican party focked to the
South and engaged in the business of
exciting opposition between the colored
people and native white citizens. IN en-
gendering ill-feeling and resentment
between them and their late owners.
and banding them together in hostile
opposition at all elections by all llsorts of
misrepresentation and promises never
to be fulfilled. / therefore takeup this
charge against the Democrats. / hurl
il hack into the face of its author. To
wha. the gentleman unjustly charges
upon the Democratic party, his psrty
and its adherents are anenable them.
selves.