American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-06-26
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TdlScO Tue ICoOhAo"s "hA 'o"SuS W.
break up the Union, should SO soon
come into power and be allowed to
control the popular branch of Con
gress. IL it because they involved
the entire Union In a protcacted
war, and made nearly every home
in the land a house of mourning,
that the national interests are now
confined to their keepingf lett be-
cause they have involved the nation
in a great public debt. which 1t will
require the lapse Of generations,
that the control Of our revenues
and our annaal appropriations is
now placed in their hands 2 Or, to
be brief, have the people come to
the conclusion that the public inter-
ests will be better snbserved under
theirrule than under the direction Of
tile Republican party I If this is the
conclusion. then We have a ray of
light thrown upon the acts Of the
people, which have placed eighty
rebels in control Of the House of
Representatives.
But was this policy the result OF
delibel alton and reflection on the
part OF Republican voters, and a
conscientious conviction that they
were performing their duty to them
selves and their country, either by
voting the Democratic ticket or by
not voting at ALL Whatever may
have been the causes which led to
this result, there can be little doubt
that the political effects upon the
country will be disastrous in their
nature.
1t il not too late, however, to re.
pair the breach, or at least to pre-.
vent it from growing wider, and
ultimately sweeping away the Re-
publican majority, in the Senate.
and ultimately electing Democrat
ic President and inaugurating a
Democratic administration.
It is claimed that the Democratic
successes of last autumn were the di.
rect results of Republican apathy.
In fact the returns from the differ
eut November elections fail to show
any change in the political senti-
Dents of the people for the Demo
cratic vote was less than it was in
1872; but it showed also that near
ly half q million of Republican vo-
ters stayed at home, and thus
allowed Democratic minorities cleo
ton Of their respective candida
tes.
Is this apathy to be continued
this tall, and through the Congress
sional and Presidential campaign
and elections of next year If so.
the result may easily be forecast
The maiorities are with the Repub-
lican party, aud the employment of
its strength means success and
large msjorities in thirds or
three fourths of the States through
out the Union. Shall its forces be
organized and its strength atiliz-
edf
Graver issues were never brought
before the country than thos pr.
sented for solution. The work of
reconstruction in the South is but
half done, and q transfer of power
TO the Democratic party. would
simply, be to undo what has alrea-
dy heen accomplished. Under Re
publican rule the work will go on,
the masses of that section are fear.
fully ignorant, and illiterasy means
crime. wherever found. They must
be educated and elevated, aud they
will be respected. The material in
terests OF the States require the fOs-
tering care of wise staten inship. on
the broad basis, encouragement to
immigration, the invest ment of cap
ital. public improvements, and u
higher standard of educated skill.
The national finances and large
public debt require the most plu-
dent management in the economy
Of expenditures and in the adjust
ment and collection Of the revenues.
A Democratic free trade policy at
the present time, or at any time
while the public debt remains un-
paid, simply means financial dis
aster, and a general prostration of
all our industries.
In short, the great and vital is-
sues before the country are entirely
changed for what they we're during
the Pierce and Buchanan admins
trations. We have advanced be
yond the period of pro-slavery sen
aud sympathies. But the
party retains all it's old
sympathIes, and in power it would
to undo what has been done
and restore the old systems. 1t
cannot be trusted with power. Its
part record cannot be forgotten.
1t initiated an unnecessary and IN
prOked war TO destroy the best
in the. world IT SYM
l,athized with secession, and de.
the Union struggle for the |
OF the Union, and thus
prOlanged the strife, added largely |
10 the sacrifice of life, and increased
the public debt; it was the 8, rvile