Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-27
THE SIGNS AND THE DUTIES OF

COMING CONTEST.
Beaten in the terrible issue of arms, the
Southern Democrats have re-organized
and renewed the struggle in the arena OF
politics. In form asserting to peace and
constitutional reconstruction, in the old
spirit of slavery and rebellion they have
sworn to wrench from the victors of the
Union the supremacy they once had in the
politics of the nation. In spirit. purpose,
and fact, they have recognized the Con
federacy. which ten years since succumbed
at Richmond and Appomattox. What the
armies of Lee, Johnston, and Hood could
not sustain, they have resolved shall be
regained by the White League and the
Democratic Party of the North and West.
The old method of concealing its real pur-
poses from the public OF the North and
the West is being resorted to. Having in
their service the Associated Press agents
of the South. as in the years Immediately
preceding the crash of cannon balls on
Sumter. they are showering continuous
food of plausible lies as to the facts
transpiring in their midst. With the press
Of their section absolutely at their COM
mand, the sincere friends of the Union
and of political equality are hunted with
relentless rigor and bitterness, and ostra-
cised from social and commercial circles.
By fair means or by foul, they are deter
mined to make the South political unit.
They would do it by legal means if posi-
BILE. by peaceful methods if practicable.
by menace and violence when these only
promise success. A compact. crystalized,
thoroughly trained unit of the once Con-
federate State is the unmistakable. un-
compromising purpose of the Southern
Democracy, and this unit is to control the
counsels OF the Democratic party North
and West as in the days of Davis, Slidell,
and Buchanan. The Southern Democra-
cy by its unity. its discipline, and its au-
dacity ruling the Democratic party of the
nation. aims TO regain the control of the
National Government. For this it is get
ting ready to wage tremendous struggle
for victory in 1876. Milk-and water Re
publicans. hoodwinked. solt-muscled.
weak-nerved Northern Democrats, BAN
boozled, sily-simpering Independents may
many honestly deceived proclaimed it in
the decade from 1851 TO 1861. But there
is less excuse for such self-delusion now
than then. The portents in the Southern
sky cannot be mistaken. The four thou
sand murdered Republicans in Louisiana
and Arkansas alone, which the honest and
fearless Sheridan published to the nation
can have but one significance. The re-
organized Tammany and an emasculated
New York press can have but one inter-
probation.
BY the stern exigencies of military ne.
cessity, when the life of the Nation was
trembling in the balance, four millions Of
slaces Were nude treemen and the solemn
VOW OF loyal citizens was registered be
fore the eyes Of Jehovah that thi, decree
of liberty and justice should be made 1
facts should never be falsiiied, Cancelled
nor recalled. This solemn pledge of the Tn
ION In lis hour Of EXTREMIST peril become.
as worthless as the paper on which it i.
written, if the White Leaguers and Tam
many Hall can have their way. To de-
sert the colored freedmen now. when the,
are but halt through the wilderness, is tt
write the history OF the next decade in let
ters of blacker infamy than any prior trea
son and paltroonery ever deserved. Som,
have said the mission of the Republican
party Is finished. Insane infatuation, O
the blacklist OF treason. For the Republi
can party now to desert the four an
half millions of colored people, when br
half through the dreary desert OF the
wrongs and weakness, would be meant
than TO have been partners in their orig
nal enslayement, and would justly send il
name Kissing with infamy down the CON
D.,ban sbnnll tho old N 4