Ellsworth American., 1874-08-13
The Ssnthern Elections.

The significant thing about these cleo
tions Is that whatever advantage the dem
ocratic party has achieved, be il more or
less. has been gained not by ignoring old
preiudices and addressing itself to vital
new issues. but by deliberately arraying
one race against the other. In the place
where elections were held it happens that
the white citizens Outnumbered the colored
citizens. aud the democracy have inaugn-
rated the wicked and dangerous policy of
appealing To the white against the black
race. To this end they misrepresented the
purpose aud effect OF the civil rights bill,
declaring that it was measure to enforc,
social equality. aud making use OF the
would-you-have-y your daughter marry-a
nigger argument, precisely as was done
when the aim OF the republican party was
SIMPLY TO prevent the extension OF slavery
into the Territories.
Whatever profes sion the democratic mar.
ty may make at the North. where the I, 40
pie have notion that equal rights are an
object worth striving for, there Is no hy-
pocrisy In the southern States where the
whites believe themselves to be In the ma
Jority. There every effort is put forth to
foster race prejudice. and every chance of
preventing the colored man from exercis-
ing any share In government i boldly
seized. Aud the men who are most active,
In this maiign endeavor are democrats Ia
close alliance with the democracy OF the
North aud tolerant OF their silence and sub
teriuges touching this issue, being conti-
uent that they can count upon thei aid TO
consummate the purpose of keeping the
negroes under their feet II they can. by
whatever deception or diversion OF public
attention IRON the real matter obtain pow
er
IL is TO be expected that the democratic
Journals and politicians of this section will
make much of these southern victories, and
Interpret them as verdict of the southern
States upon those features of the republi-
can national administration that are most
criticised at the North. They are In fact
nothing OF the Kind. but simply and only n
demonstration OF the southern democracy
against the cardinal republican doctrine of
equal riXlts. That the nor hern democracy
rtJ"ice IN these successes is an indication
that II IS still, in spite OF Cincinnati and
Baltimore, the ally of the negro. hating ar
istocracy OF the South. determined as
strongly as ever to prevent the con.tjtu-
tional amendments from being operative
In their full force aud vigor as yarrantie,
OF the political and civil privileges OF the
weaker race.
To the lesson OF the hour republicans
'"e"' " Ehc hseu- IL !, not prudent IN
view OF such demonstration, to indulge in
fanciful security. Whatever policy the de-
mocfacy may profess concerning other mat
ters, the liquor question here, the trans
portaiion question in another State, the
tarih 10 another, the currency in another.
the party should be instinctively Stunned
hy every republican until Il gives better
evidence that II has yet given of its po osition
concerning the equal rights of citizens OF
all races. Whatever local interest It may
assume the championship OF in order TO
achieve power, IL must not be excused
from distinct declaration OF its aim with
respect To the matter OF first concern to
republicans. All other things honorable
are desirable. but the set purpose of every
republican should be- 10 achieve them with.
and not BY the sacrifice OF, equal rights
Boston Advertiser.