National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-11

the part of the Southern whites there is the
same lofty assumption to carry everything
their own way; the same unscrupulousness of
the use of means; the same prosecuting spirit
towards the colored race, and the same hatred
of all who seek to elevate or to obtain justice
for it, and the same disposition to brow-beat
Northern meR in Congress. What was the
cause of the late war, and what is the danger
now2 Both questions admit of the same
answer-an inordinate love of power on the
part Of the Southern leaders. John G. Calhoun
wrote of the South, eve are essentially an
aristocracy, but it is through the Democracy
that we control the Government; but if through
the Democracy or any other cause we lose
the control of the Government, then we resort
to secession" The truth of his words was
proven in 1861, and is written IN the blood of
the thousands who fell during the terrible
struggle that followed. The late war was
waged, not in the slave interest, but because
those who controlled In the South were de-
priVed of power. The slave interest was used
as q means to fire the Southern heart, but it
was only a means, and to-day the former
means not existing, q new means is used,
new pretext devised The violation of the
Constitution. 1t is not necessary that cause
be Just, only that those who embark in it shall
believe it SO, and as have before asserted, the
people of the South will believe what their
leaders will permit.
What was the cause of the New Orleans rev.
olution of the 14th of September lastl Was it
not because the Democratic leaders desired to
govern the state2 McEnery VS.. Kellogg. As
an evidence of it, 1 cite the late attempts at
compromise. By a vote of thirty-eight to
twenty the proposed conditions were
agreed to by the Conservative caucus, and re-
ceived the approval of those most deeply in
observation-disclosures and others not engaged in
politics but dependent upon the prosperity of
the State-and the vote of approval was re-
scinded in obedience to the demands of Nc
Emery, Penn, and Ogden, though their accept
ance would have restored order and a measure
of prosperity to distracted community. And
how was the news of the revolution received
through the South! As the citizens thronged
around the bulletin board and read of the con-
fiict, the outspoken expression was, "Give me
q gun and pay my way, I am ready to CO."
This was not from one alone, but from enough
to show that it was the general feeling. They
did not go because the leaders did not tell them
to; the time had not come. The present feel
ing was fifty expressed by q man last week,
'Our day of revenge will come, said he; and
they look for it. Why should there at this
time be formed an association of the surviving
soldiers of the Confederate army, with General
Joseph E. johnson as president And why
should the Legislature desire to amend the
constitution of Virginia, so that it shall no
longer deny the right Of secession3 Are we
not all looking forward with anxiety to the
future; if SO, why3 lis it because sectional feel
ing is again engendered? A Washington c Or
respondent of the Augusta COnStit,tiOnGIiSt,
under date of February 2, says: "Whether he
[Hon. A. H. Stephensl and others of like wis
dom and prudence will be able to stem the
wild current that seems to be rushing us on as
a people into the vortex of sectional passion,
that 1t will surely result in a Democratic de-
feat in 1876, remains to be seem" The cam
paign of 1876 rapidly approaches; but previous
to It we have q session of the Democratic
House of Representatives. Already we have
. taste of their quality. John Young Brown
is guilty Of q preVaricstion in order to vio-
late the rules of the House-and decency;
he receives the deserved censure of the
Speaker, and awakes the next morning fs-
nous; he is the hero of the day; he is lauded by
the Southern press, supported by the Southern
people. Bully Brown supplies the place of
Bully Brooks. The Democracy, because of
their late victories, are jubilant; the wild
spirits in Congress and elsewhere can not be
controlled; the reaction which has already
commenced in favor of the Republican party
will widen and deepen, the country will again,
through its majority, declare for that party,
but the Democracy will carry the Southern
States by force, making the vote close one,
so that the Democratic House need only to
object to q few returns to count in their candi-
date, or throw the election into their own
hands. What will prevent an open, palpable
violation Of the rights of the peoplel The IN
scrupulous use of means by the Democratic
party heretofore shows that right will not
deter them. Policy will not, for their past
record shows, that with the Southern element
again in the ascendency, feeling sure of the
support Of their party friends in the North,
nothing will be permitted to stand between
them and power. The counting proceeds, the
House objects to counting the electoral votes
of some of the Republican States, they are
thrown out, the Democratic candidate is
counted in, or is elected by the House, while
the country has actually gone Republican,
what is the resultl Will the Union people of
this country, who have already expended so
much blood, and such a vast amount of treas
ure; who have burdened themselves and their
children with an immense public debt; who
have submitted to enormous taxation, all for
the salvation of the country, to preserve it
intact, will they submit to such a gigantic
fraud? Will they not terribly answer Mr..
Hills question, and declare that the Constitu-
ton of our fathers and self-goVernment are
"worth blood?"
Suppose on the other hand, the Democracy
permit the candidate really elected to be so
declared under protest, and then raise the cry
as they have in Louisiana in regard to Kel-
logg, and call on the South to "save the Gov
ernment," and the armed men respond?
sufficient number for their purpose can be
placed in Washington in ten days and the re-
mainder in thirty. What will there be to op-
pose theml The regular army is but hand
full, and scattered through the West and
South, and all that are, or have been, stationed
in the South will side with the Southern peo-
pie. It is true that the North has a veteran
army among.her population, but it is neither
armed nor organized, and under the most
favorable circumstances sixty days would be
remarkably short time to arm sufficient to
make demonstration; but the circumstances
will not be favorable; the Government will be
in the hands Of the enemy; provisional gov
eminent must be formed, credit obtained,
arms purchased and distributed, the luke
warmness of the uncertain overcome; they are
not now asked to fight for, but apparently
against the Government, with its men, its
means, its glorious record. "The Union, the
Constitution and the Law" will be tho watch
word Of the usurpers, and many, blinded by
the old familiar cry, will take no part in the
restoration, or ally themselves with this enemy
who fights under the dear old flag.
This danger, It seems to me, is not an i'm
possible one, and steps ought to be taken to
prepare forthe future; for one, the North might
be encouraged to form volunteer companies,
so that in case of emergency one section may
be as well prepared as the other.
A straightforward course often disarms dis
aster and If the North will make IL evident