The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-03-16
The Issue in New Hampshire.

1t is matter OF some moment to know
on what issue the battle in New Hampshire
was fought and won. Naturally local ques-
tions entered largely into the canvass, for
the state had been under the control of the
Democrats for whole year, and never yet
did Democratic legislature get through a
session without passing some foolish or op-
pressiye law having the effect to rouse the in
dignation of the people and to promote its
own overthrow. So in states which have
been Democratic for year the canvass can
never be wholly confined to national issues.
But in New Hampshire, great as was the in
terest in local issues, the prominent and over
shadowiag question, eagerly thrust forward
by both parties, was the Southern question.
The Democrats themselves confess this, and
claim that they were defeated because the
old war feeling was revived. The orators Of
both parties based their arguments and ap-
peals upon this issue. Ex-confederate gen.
etals pleaded, ably and ingeniously, the cause
Of their people. Union generals urged with
no faltering voices the just claims of the freed
men and the Republicans of the South.
The old war feeling aoas revived, and it
brought to the polls two thousand Republi-
cans who had absented themselves since the
memorable campaign OF 1872. 1t was re-
vived by the display Of the reLellious spirit
and REASONABLE intentions of the White
League, by the massacre at Vicksburg, by
the disturbances in Louisiana, by the threat
ening reports from Arkansas and Mississippi,
by the fear, widespread and well-founded,
that the ex-rebels of the South were strug-
Cling to obtain possession OF all the old slave
states and to debar the black man from all
participation in the local governments under
which he lives.
Six months ago the Southern question
was dropping out of politics. The people of
the North had apparently become convinced
that the South meant well, that the rights of
the ne gro were in no danger, and that agita-
ton was only kept up for political purposes.
They grew Indifferent and neglected to go
TO the polls. The consequence was that the
Democrats and their allies swept the North.
Then the old spirit of caste broke out; then
the Southern leaders, encouraged by the
favorable verdict, boldly asserted that the
country should be governed by white men
alone; then White Leagues appeared in arms
in Southern cities and attempted the over
throw of state governments.
What wonder that the people underwent
q revusion of feeling! What wonder that
the old distrust revived: Southern orators
fastened to New Hampshire and ingeniously
attempted to explain away the reaction in
the South. They talked sensibly, moder-
ately and well. Blu. the people saw behind
them the armed bands of the White League,
the insurgents of Louisiana, the assassins Of
Mississippi negroes. The old war feeling
was revived, as it was originated, by the act
of the South, and men walked to the polls
and voted as they did in the perilous period
frem 1861 to 1865.
This distrust of the South and its iDten-
tions is growing, day by day, wider and deep
er. True a new rebellion is not looked for;
the South has suffered too severely for that.
But it has become plain that the white ele-
ment of the South purpose to take the ad-
ministration of Southern States into their
own hands, to establish a prctectorate over
the blacks, to govern them. by wheedling if
possible, by terrorism if necessary. The me-
groes will be permitted to retain the ballot,
but it must be thrown as their masters direct
Undoubtedly they will be treated kindly if
they behave obediently, but in effect they
will be deprived Of the right of freemcn. The
Southern leaders know that the results Of
the war will soon be beyond their power to
overthrow. Another four years Of protection
and watchful care and the negro will be
strong enough to fight his own battles. The
attempt to reduce him to dependence must
be made now, or abandoned forever.
Happily the Northern people are begin
ming to understand the position and plans OF
the unreconstructed South, and to realize
that the Southern question will be the great
issue in the next presidential contest. Who
doubts the result?