Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-06-09
FIRST EDITION.
The Political situation.

To the Editor ofthe Commerciat:
we are now, AZ party, drifting fast upon
nomination the result of which is watched earn
esuy by every true lover of good government.
Shortly we will be called upon TO stand by the
work OF reform, no justly inaugurated by us car
ly in tho campaign of 1874, and az we linger now
upon the verge OF great epoch, the cry il her
aided down the party lines, GLOW stand the
newly Initiated citizens Are they firm in this
work of reform, or will they adhere to their
former leaders, AZ in the past? SIN answer to
such all inquiry allow me to say that If the party
proposes to run this campaign on the broad ba-
sis we are with them, but if on the narrow, then
we arc against them; we will stand aloof in the
hour OF need and allow tho battle to be fought
by you, alone, for we have too long already
obeyed the siren voice of our political masters.
until it has transformed Ills into political beasts.
But, to-day We speak with ono voice and assert
our rights as men, brothers, and citizens.
We stand to-day squarely upon the Republi-
can platform of 1872, and we recognize it as the
groat and ESSENTIAL political law which must
bring about the completion of that solemn CON
tract by the Republican party made. We have
resolved that the party shall either stand by
their declarations or by them she must fall. If
by them tho party will stand, not i'll word but in
action, We will do everything in our power to
have her triumph. The local party must and
shall, by recognition, acknowledge the colored
voter M II citizen and not ar tool, or
tiro Will uer own Hhnns hDe hDhll ulp the
political grave for her leaders. That the
party at large is prepared to accept such recogni-
tion IL no mistake but our leaders tremble and
cry &" Too early" They did not cry :" too early
when Lee marched his army through Maryland
into Pennsylvania Oh no, they called us
patriots and defenders of just cause. We then
wore the badges, as marks of recognition and we
must to day the badges in this civil contest.
One cannot be any more submissive than the
other. Let the leaders of the Republican party
come ont and establish it upon ilrm base like
this, and with q sweeping majority they will
place every candidate by them nominated in tlleiI
official positions. The party must not rely upon
men but upon principles for success. She must
put forth candidates whose garments not
stained with the political filth and debauchery of
the past, They must be of that material Which
will render them lmpregnable before the assaults
of their opponents. Let them be such will
restore the lost confidence OF the people. 70
them must be entrusted the authority to reweld
the party ranks, and to gather tho fragments.
Let us enter this fight to win, by recognizing
tho poor as well as tho rich, the black man as
well AZ tho white man, remembering that we
stand upon grounds OF equality, guarding our
camp against invaders with all unsheathed sword
that shall not be sheathed only in victory.
Awake Athenians Oh, awake though late,
Avert the ruin OF your tOtterlng state!
II In your hearts Or grief or courage lies,
Rise to redeem On yet to conquer rise
AsDRUBAL.