Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-02-26

From the Albany lN.Y.l Journal.

mas confronted IL since 1861. III dOcS
not yet begin to realize the tremen-
dous gravity of the situation. If it
did, the patriotic sentiment of the
people would flame out in earnest,
tervid, determined unanimity, as it
did when the flag of Sumpter fell.
That it ,ciW come to understanding
this issue and the tar-reaching conse-
quences involved, we firmly believe,
and then little doubt will be left of
its spirit and action. Meanwhile,
there are certain facts and considera-
tons to which every earnest Repub-
lican newspaper and every sincere
patriot should give careful reflections:
l. THE unrepentaat rebeis Of the
South are more enUenomed, and tie
condition of affairs IS more threat
eni,,g and periious than at any time
since The close ofMe acar. The most
extreme statements which have been
made of the temper and purpose of
that class do not begin to unfold the
whole truth. The worst that has
been represented respecting their ma
lign and revolutionary spirit falls
short Of the startling reality. In say
ing this we deliberately measure the
full force of our words, and know
Whereof we affirm. The country will
bc made aware of the evidence,
and positive, overwhelming proof
vail convince it that it is slumbering
over Il volcano. The most adroit
and persistent efforts have been
made to deceive the people, to lull
them into q false sense of security,
and to direct all prejudice and CEN
sure against the very bulwarks upon
which they must rely for protection.
But when the truth comes out, as it
aciH come out, the public mind will
be undeceived, and will recognize
the abyss upon whose verge it stands.
1t will then comprehend the great is
sue of public safety ietore it, and
will be reused as it has not been stir
red before since the war closed
H. The country and especially
all Republicans shouid haze confi-
deuce IN their recognized representa-
Hces, and sho"M strengthen the
hands ct those chosen ana trusty
leaders IN dealing aciM the naon.en-
tons questions of the hour. We
should recognize their purity and
rectitude of purpose. We should
give them that trust and support to
which all our agents are fairly enti-
tied until they forfeit it. Instead of
treating them as if they were willful-
ly perverse and were madly bent up
on the ruin Of the nation, we should
exercise, if not that common justice,
ut least the common sense OF believ-
ing that they have precisely the same
interest in the public welfare which
every citizen has, and that they are
as honestly devoted to it as those
they represent. More than that, we
should remember that they are far
better informed upon the condition
of affairs than those remote from the
scene can possibly be. Under such
circumstances, they are clearly emit
tied to consideration, unless they are
either crazy or dishonest-and we
fancy nobody will apply either impu-
tation in sweeping way. The obi
cation equally Of political wisdom
and public justice is entirely plain
we should strengthen and uphold
those who are themselves seeking to
uphold the good cause which all have
at heart. Instead of tM spectacle of
a government faithfully trying to
guide the nation safely through Il
great crisis and partially crippled by
the carping criticisms and querulous
distrust Of protested friends, we
ought to see it supported, not in
blind, servile way, but in Il friendly
spirit, with candid discrimination,
and with Il just recognition of its up
right purpose.
III. Win pluck md " oositice
and ,reN considered policy, the pros
poets Of tie RepmbLcan Party are
better to-euy Mum they hare bee" ut
any time for too years. We de-
clare this rs our sincere conviction
with the same deliberation with
which we affirm the alarming condi-
ton of the South. The unrepentant
rebels, inHamed by Democratic sue
cess, arc giving us the weapons of
victory. They are reviving the one
great commanding issue of the ma
tional safety and public rights. And
with this state of affairs, the one tai
isman of success is piuch-the pluck
to do our simple duty, the pluck to
take up the gage of the adversary,
the pluck to mako the vigorous and
victorious fight which is entirely
within our power. When we say
pluck is the word, we do not mean
rashness or precipitancy or extreme
measures or anything Of the sort.
We mean simply that the Republi-
can party shall be true to itself; true
to its lifelong impulse, and true to
the best interests Of our country.
We mean simply that it shall fulfill
its present duty and seize its present
opportunity-that it shall take it's in
spirations not from half-hearted spir-
its and insidious enemies, but from
it's true and courageous friends. 1t
must not regard itself beaten, when
it is not beaten. 1t must not waver
and doubt when it has victory with
in its grasp. With unity and pluck,
it can carry the election of 1876.
" In vieac Of the danger to
tile country, and Of this possibility
Of tie future, the paramount duty
Of aN Republicans and Of all patri-
OTIS Of eyery party IS to support their
Government and their representa-
tees IN just efforts FOR public aceA
fire. We do not speak of particu-
lar measures. We do not recite par
ticular facts. There will be very
much to say hereafter on these points.
Just here we dwell only upon the
general spirit which should govern;
and we simply say, that spirit should
be the spirit of friendship, and not
the spirit of antagonism. The coun
try has yet no conception of the con-
dition of things at the South; it will
learn, as the facts come out, that a
grave danger hangs over it; it will