The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-01-13
DALLAS, TE&As,
WEDNESDAY, MORNING. n,r,m 10

THR democracy at leSas oonHrall-
late themselves and lheir breIhlfn ~
every portion Of Ihe county upon NE
glorious victory recently achieved
We hail II ~ mn omen Of releaso FROM
tho bondage In which tho people OF
the south have been held for the lasl
nine years aud as tho lorerunner ol
constitutional government to ule poo
pie OF the American unioh
We democrats Of the south appre'
elate II more highly, II possible Than
do our northern brethren. For long
yeara We have been ground between
the upper aud neither mlllaloned of
unjust local, state and national gov
ernmentH, We have been plundered
aud oppressed by greedy horde OF
army camp followers, who came TO our
states for the purpose OF taking ourHub'
stance, Of prohtIng by our mlatoIlunes
aud fNttening upon our lnlserles'
We have been charged with still en-
terlaining rebelllous sentiments to the
government 10 which we have re-
newod our allegiance Ia the utmost
good faith Of peiSecullnB men be-
cause Of their color, or of their polill'
cal faith. We have been branded IN
dlsloyal to our obligations, W. assaaslns
aud w. only waiting n iltopporlunlty
to renew tho scenes Of war aud the
carnival OF blood that 20 recently es-
tranged aud divided the hearta OF the
American people, This We deny,and
assert that during all these unhappy
years Of attempted reconstruction, wo
have given the highest evidence OF pN-
tIencp, lOrbcaranco anda determination
toabido theresullso Of the war In perfect
good faith, and 70 submit to any and
all laws, however cruel, unjust and
vlolative Of tho constitution, appeal
lug alone W the sense of justice OF our
northern countrymen, and 10 legally
constituted Judicial and legislative hi-
bunals TO redress the wrongs Inflicted
upon Us.
During this time state governments,
renewed under tho proclamations of
the executive of the nation, were over
thrown, but not until they had been
made use of to cary certain amend
ments to the federal constitution, for
such purpose recognized as sovereign
and free states but when thus made
use of We're declared only to he unre-
constructed rebel provinces In state
Of war; and subject to military rule.
Outside Of any power In the constitu,
ton conferred, congress RENTED the
states to the tender mercies of military
satraps, who had the power aud exer-
clsed IL, removing all officers from
governor and supreme Judges down to
coroners and justices of the peace, and
placing in their stead creatures of their
own selection. These military chief
tains exercised censorship over tie
language and manners of the people
and press, destroyed the records of the
courts, tore up indictments against fell
ons, relieved murderers and thieves
from appearing to answer charges le-
gally preferred against them, by de-
stroying their bonds and recognizan-
ces, and by issuing military receipts
directing their protection and relief
from prosecution. tE
In violation of the most sacred pro-
visions of the constitution, and in di-
rect conflict with the decisions of the
supreme court of the United States, our
citizens were seized by the military,
and, under laws of congress, imprs-
oned and tried by courts MAJ tlal.
Hundreds of southern people Ian
guished in prison for many months, to
be tried and convicted before such un-
constitutional tribunals, and often on
imaginary charges, supported only by
SuD0fneu testimony.
Private property was taken without
compensation under the threatening
power of the bayonet, and by the dis
reimbursement Of the mass of the peo-
pie constitutions were coerced upon us
disgraceful to enlightened statesman
ship, Il blot upon the American char
acter, and the very mockery OF free
government. Corrupt state govern
ments were forced upon Us, taxes were
piled mountain high upon an impov-
erished people, and Estate debts incurred
which it Will require long years of
good government and prosperity to en- !.
able the people to pay.
We wish to forget not only the UNI
happy years Of the war, but the still
more unhappy ones that have inter-
Vened since. The democracy of the
south desire that the hearts of the
American people, north and south
east and west should once again be
terminated with the same devotion to
the constitution, the union and the
perpetuity of the government that
brought them into existence, and con-
stjtules the glory OF the American
name in the proudest days OF Alneri-
can history. Let the bitter, desolating,
unhappy past be hlntted out forever.
On the common altar of our country's
greatness, liberty aud perpetuity, let
us renew our pledges OF devotion to the
principles OF Washington and the early
fathers.
Our political enemies charge that the
democratic party Is auti-progressivc.
We trust 1t may never lie pro. ressive