Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-08-14

The election in North Carolina, Oh the
G,h. va, for the choice Of a Superintendent
of Public instruction, the Legislature for
two years, SIX of the twelve Judges Of the
Supreme Court, and eight Congressman. In
Tennessee, on the same day, county officers
only were % be chosen. Ia the former
State. two years age, the Republicans car
ricj five ol the Congressional districts. and
elected their candidate for governor by
about Two thousand majority In Tenncs-
see. the Democratic majority on the vote for
governor was over thirteen thousand. 1t
the Preseu; election, the Democrats have
carried North Carolina by not far from ten
thousand majority, and have elected seven
Congressman, the only successful Republic
can candidate Tor CJngrc>, being a colored
man. John \ Lyman, who, according to
current report. is not likely to add to the
reputation OF the party. In Tennessee, the
Democrats, a. matter Of course, have
elected their candidates in every county.
The chief interest attaching to these cleo
tioIs, and the only bearing they have on
national politics. was the course adopted
10y the Democrats in tanning the luminosity
between the races, and arrayins the whites
against the blacks Jus; before the election
the Wilmington q. c. S.nhnI said:
The issue Of this campaign is in many, if
noe in all, of its aspects, one of race. The
white people, alarmed at the constant en-
croachmcnts Of the negroes, and driven to
the wall. have at last turned to defend
themselves, their wives and tLeir children
from the embraces Of the negro. Disguise
it as Won will, this i the issue before Us. |
."- What say you, white men can You
vote the radical ticket now that the fight Is |
ore between the black race and the white I
race? What say you viii yoa % with f.
your color or viii you 90 against it? "
And NJ. Trenholm, of South Carolina, /
stateI the issue in thinly-diSgui-ei Ian
guagc a. follows: I'VE arc not suffering /
here from the fact that our poor and litter /
ate people arc black, but from the fact that
they arc poor and illitera;e. The division
line is between black and white, but this j.
simply On account Of its practical convent
ence.''
Prejudice Of color and against the civil
rights bill was aroused to the utmost extent,
and thcnatural result Of such course i seen
in many bloody riots between the blacks
and whites, and the Inauguration Of a con-
fict Of races which must fill every lover Of
his country with concern. Since the close
of the war the condition OF the Southern
States has been indeed lamenablc; but
with the added horror OF warfare OF color,
no man can see the end. What is needed Is
spirit Of moderation. There Is no place
in our republic for party founded on color
and based on prejudice The purity Of the
ballot box mus; be maintained. Each party
must respect the others rights. And in the
South both blacks and whites have lesson
to learn, which, it seems, they can only
learn by sad and -orrowiul experience.
And in the meantime Republicans should
luke this lesson to heart Never rest from
your lab,rs or give up the party organiza- ,
ton until equal rights are secure for all. /
The Republican party can not neglect u /
do this, the GROWING work Of its great
career. The Democratic party cannot ne
trusted to DO it, as Is shown by its course in
the South, aud by the rejoicing Of the
Northern Democrats Owe the victories won
by their Southern allies Place 10 conf
dencc in fancied security Lend your
sanction to no steps which have a tendency !
to break up once inyincible party. ?