National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-08-12
Where Are the Southern wings to Col

tFrom the New Orleans Republican,
The Wings of the South were always under
the hack with the Democracy. They were de-
nounced as Federalists, Abolitionists and fee
bic friends to the South. The maintenance of
common resistance to invasion, with the as
surance that the Northern Democracy were
sound on the State rights question, gave the
Democrats of the South the command of the
Confederate government, and left little to the
Wings, except to lead from Manassas to Get
tysburg. The treaeherous desertion of the
Northern Democracy, with the underground
efforts of the Southern Democracy, through
Blair, Vallandigham and their like, to pre-
serve the Democratic unity even throughout
that bloody war. It would seem singular that
this habit of obedience should have been con-
tinued after the war, but the habit of domiua-
ton seems established. Notwithstanding the
selfish monopoly of all the official appoint
ments by the Democracy, in spite of depend
ence on foreign powers, an utter incapacity to
provide the means of war, and the most fla
grant oppression of the Southern people, the
Southern Wings returned to their yoke, and
have, without an effort at political indepeud-
ence, fallen into the Democratic ranks as the
merest privates. The only notice that we have
seen taken of this honest and brave political
party has been the remark that they find their
principles more nearly carried out by the
Democratic than by any other party existing.
1t may be granted that under the Allen-Thur-
man dispensation men may express any politi-
cal opinion, but we will show BY the last ex-
preston of national opinion ever uttered by
the Wings that there is no common principle
in their platform which Is carried out by the
Southern Democracy. At the Wing conven-
ton of 1856 Hon. Edward Bates, OF Missouri,
presided, and the slayeholding States of Mis-
souri,, Mississippi, Virginia, Louisiana, Geor-
gia, Del aware, North Carolina, Alabama, Ken
lucky, Maryland, Tennessee, Arkansas and
Florida were represented. This convention
announced the following schedule of princi-
pies:
l. Unalterable attachment for the Federal
Union, with "no safer guide or higher law than
the Constitution of the United States"
2. They charge "the present disordered con-
dition of our national affairs, }" the dangers of
civil war, the bitterness of sectional recrimina-
ton "to the culpable neglect of duty by the
present (Democratie) national administra-
tion."
s. They protest, in the name of Washington,
against geographical PARTIES" apprehend
evil from the sectional array Of parties, and
nominate Mr.. Fillmore as ga representative of
neither of the two sectional parties now strug-
CLING for political supremacy"
The platform breathes throughout the ut
mOeL naLlOuhllLy. HOW, Then, can the wing
party, which was so averse to civil strife, enter
a campaign under leaders who avow their de-
termination to revive the contests of the past
for the purpose Of reinstating doctrines which
have been decided? If the Wings believe that
the South will be more prosperous by political
quiet and development let them avoid the Dem
ocratic agitators. If they wish to secure
measures for the promotion of domestic indus.
try or the diffusion of popular intelligence,
they had better leave themselves free to vote
for men, without respect to party, who favor
progress. If they deem the South to be safe
and more prosperous under regime of indus
trial development, let them guard against the
ascendancy Of party which presents but one
Alternatives Democratic monopoly of office
or civil war. Without debating to the South
ern Wings what party they should aid In the
coming contest, we may at least advise them
not to bet their money until they see the horses.
stripped. Let them not commit themselves
until they can form some opinion as to the
ability and intention Of each party to carry out
their principles Of love for the Union and care
for the people of the South which they always
maintained. If the Republicans can present a
platform Of principles manned by statesmen of
character and ability, the Wings may safely
break the bonds by which the Democracy have
bound them, and exercise the common right of
American citizens to vote any ticket they NAV
deem most consistent with their principles and
most promotiye of the safety and welfare of
the Southern people.