The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-09
THE RIGHTOF REVOL E
SOUTHERN PROBLEM.


luton. There never was a-revolutior
that had not justice, or some imagina
ton Of justice, at the bottom of it. When
our ideas accord with those of the revo
lutionists we are with them; but when
we consider their ideas erroneous, we
can not do otherwise than oppose them
though we are bound to accord them
the same measure of respect as IL we
were one with them.
Two or three do not make revolution
only riot. Even a great multitude
arrayed against the laws without order,
well declared principles, and an impor.
tant and permanent object, do not con.
stitute revolutionary a mob.
When a portion of people conclude
that their grievances demand an insur-
rection against what they consider bad
laws, or against bad administrators OF
good laws, they are justifable in at.
tempting revolution provided they feel
confident of commanding the forces nee
essary to success.
The wise owls of society may preach
themselves hoarse about the duty OF
obedience to the laws and to the rulers,
and make big eyes at the thought OF rev.
olution; but they can not command our
respect unless they add the proviso that
the laws shall be just and the admins
traitors of the laws shall be honest, capa'
BILE and faithful. We do not believe in
lying down like towards under 0ppres-
sion. We are not of those who prefer to
rot in inertia rather than be alive to
righteousness and to all the elements Of a
healthy, vigorous life. Lawyers with
that musty learning which adorns the
cob-webbed chambers Of the mind may
cry stare decisis with awful horror of in
noyation, but we shall demand that the
authorities to which they appeal shall
be worthy of binding force.
When only few persons feel Op-
pressed and know what Oppresses them,
they are compelled to keep quiet except
SO far as to proclaim their grievances on
the street csrners and from the house.
tops. The oppressors will. Of course,
laugh, sneer, and Cal, them all sorts Of
mean names; but under oil this they
must take courage, bear up and yindi-
cate their manhood. Their mission is to
agitate and open the eyes of the blind
that they may also see what is wrong.
Their. duty is to exhaust all peaceful and
legal means of redress before venturing
upon revolutionary measures.
1t is their duty to vote for their princi-
pies even though their poll be SO small as
to be mentioned in the election returns
under the abbreviation "scat." When
they become strong at the polls, and it
appears that the right is robbed of ma
iorjty vote by foul means which there is
no hope OF Overcoming, then It Is their
duty TO boldly defy the powers of dark
hess by proclaiming revolution. For
example: Should the solid thinking
portion of the oppressed classes ofdreat
Britain find that their cause is kept
down by corrupt influences proceeding
from the monopolists. the aristocracy
and the royalty, they should proclaim a
revolution 30 soon as there is well
grounded hope OF success.
Now apply these principles to the case
at yicksburg and what have we? An lg'
norant majority led by reckless meh-a
majority without any property to pro
tect, deluded by villains, has beer
squanderlng the public resources and
leyying such taxes as render property
almost valueless.
The property.holders feel themselves
strong enough, if let alone, to maintain
their rights by revolutionary proceed
ing. Why force an ignorant and oorrup
officer, who collects taxes, to resign be
fcause his bonds are entirely worthless
The was no hope Of redress in any othe
way. They were therefore justifiable
They would have been successful wer'
it not for the omnipotent power of th'
Union which the villains can command
H Is it the duty Of the Federal govern
| ment to protect the mal-administrator
and the party Of ignorance, whose mem
bers assure the continuance of oppres
sion until justice and civilization itsel
are utterly oyerthrown?
| Similar 10 the case in Louisiana. TIL
State is almost ruined by official rascalit,
and ignorance. Both parties, however
seem to be about equally desperate. TIL
problem in that State is most delicat
and difficult one. So also is it in Missis
sippi. Left to themselves, the whites
though in the minority, would succeed b
fighting down the poor and the ignorant
That can not be permitted under ou
government.
We see no other solution Of the proi
lem than ample provision for colonizin
the negroes on vacant territory and gi'
ing them territorial rights ct first an
State rights in due time. This wor
might as well be commenced ut once. W
must come to 1t.
The manufacture of lubricating oil
an entirely new process Will soon .
commenced In Franklin, Pa. The work
a 4.