Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-08-18

are the men who are 10 legislate fo
the loyal people OF tho nation Gu
we are told by the gushing and slopp,
tourists that all is now peace and qnie
! in the South, and the tales of murder
oppression, and outrage upon blacl
and white Republicans were weak in
ventions OF cArpet-baggers for politica
purposes.
THE TRUE STORY.
II is true these tales have been es
tablished by many thousands of depo
sitions sworn to by men of all parties
on the epot, taken before numerou,
committees Of Congress, sent dowr
there from year to year, commencing
in 1865, including three during tht
last winter, constituting vast body o
testimony too great for any man te
read in his lifetime, and which is con.
cealed from the public world by itl
enormous volume. But this all ignor.
ed by the credulons who accept for the
truth the pompons denials and grand.
Eloquent statements of politicians, and
in many cases OF the murderers and
criminals themselves. Any one 1T all
familiar with the evidence that has
been taken in regard TO the condition
Of the South during the last nine years
must not only know that the tales told
were generally true, but have reason
to believe that the half has not been
told. But, say those who have not
the hardihood to deny the truth. what
ever may have taken place in the
South, the White Leaguers, the Kuk-
lux, and other disturbers of the peace
have now disbanded, submitted 10 the
laws and hencefortht there will be peace
and security for all. What reason
have we to believe that? Just now
there is now inducement to cut throats
to burn, whip, and drive out. There
are no important elections on hand in
these States. They are standing on
their good behavior, and are anxious
TO impress the people of the North
with their peaceful and virtuous in
tentione. But the same men are there
yet. animated with the same spirit and
purpose, and ready to resort to the
same means whenever 1t becomes nec-
essary to achieve success. They were
educated in violence by slavery and
the rebellion, by the fierce prejudice
and conflict OF race, most of them pro-
foundly ignorant and at the mercy of
reckless and desperate leaders. The
onfederate Democracy of the South
constitute the body and give vitality
to the whole Democratic party. They
compose majority of its actual MEM
bership. They havc definite aims and
an intense policy. They are bold and
aggressive, and are confident Of con.
trolling the party in the future as In
the days before the war. The Dem.
ocracy of the North have no policy, no
scheme Of government, are not agreed
upon any question of political econ
omy, are harmonious only in their
desire and struggle for office, and are
mere clay In the hands OF Con federate
potters. The South will give to them
the principal Offices and they will give
to the South the measures-an ar
rsDgement highly satisfactory to both
sides.
SHOULD BE AMNESTY ON BOTH SIDES.
The Northern leaders are continu.
ally preaching to the Republican
party amnesty, fraternity oblivion in
regard to the rebellion, but exact no
such conditions from their Southern
allies, who make adherence to the
cause their universal
political test.
We have forgiven the men who were
engaged in the rebellion. All but
about ono hnndres7 leaders in that
great crime have had every political
removed arising under the
Amendment, and are eligi-
bic to be elected to the highest Office
In the land. They have from the frat
had the right to vote. had not sup
posed that should ever do such a
thing, but believe now that am
willing to voto for bill next winter
which will take from the small num-
Der remaining their political disabili-
ties, to take effect on the 4th day OF
July, 1876, so that all men, without re-
gard to their race, or color, or previous
political condition or history, may
start into the next century on an
before the law, and may God
put it into the hearts of tho people to
do justice. give protection, and secure
equal rights TO every race and condi-
ton in all parts Of the nation.
THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG SIDE.
But wish not to be misunderstood. -
While would bury the animosities and
hatreds OF the war, would not compro-
mise nor forget the principles upon which
II was iought, nor the memory OF the men
who died for their county. We have for
given those who were in the rebellion, but
forgiSe eness does no imply honor or reward.
We may forgive our enemies, but are not
bound to honor and prefer them over our
friends. We must ever remember that
there wasa right and wrong side; that
the right must be honcred aud respected
now and hereafter; that while we forgive
the enemies Of the Republic, we believe
there can be no reconstruction or rec0ncill.
alton thst is not founded upon the unity of
the Nation, equal rights,equal justice, equal
security to all, full federation of race and
opinion. Until these things shall come to
pass, the Republican party cannot ground
its arms, nor can it be said that Its mission
has been performed. 1t is enough that we
have fully and freely forgiven those who
wsged the rebellion and drenched the land
with fraternal blood and when We are asked
TO ignore the Union soldier, to refuse to re-
count his services for fear Of wounding reb-
el susceptibilities, to reduce him to the level
Of the Confederate soldier, to forge. the
Union men Of the South, and make heroes
before the Northern people of their bitter.
est foes and oppressors, II il too much, and
10 as wicked as it Is stupid and absurd. As
between the Union and Confederate soldiers
there is still, and should ever be, great
choice. The proposition continually
urged upon the people OF the North by the
Democratic party is that to be reconciled to
the people OF the South you must treat the
Union and Confederate soldier as being
equally honest. equally patriotic, each
fighting for what he believed to be right,
treat them with equal consideration, make
no preferences nor distinctions in reward
Of honors. This proposition abolishes all
distinctions between right and wrong, loyal
ty and treason, between fighting for free.
dom and slavery, between civilization and
barbarism, and while affecting impartialiiy
insults the living, and the memory of the
dead, who fought for country, liberty, and
humanity.
ny AMNESTY THEY MEAN PREFERENCE.
In the Democratic mind amnesty and
forgiveness are inseperably connected with
honor, reward and preference. But need
noa spaak speciallv Of the nompcracv ~