The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-06-06
THE zMPORTANcR OF rmE NEXT
PREsIDENTsAL ELECTION.

THE IlPOBTANCE OF THE NEXT
PREFERENTIAL ELECTION.
The strength of the two great parties
will shortly be tried. No Presidential
election has been more important in its
bearing on the welfare OF the country
than that which will take place next
November. IL is so easy TO say TO the
North 10 forget and forgive. while the
Denocratic South denounces Northern
men as thieves and rascals. Even in
South Carolina, with large Republi-
can majority, the Democracy assail
every white Republican with the ut
most venom; hold toward him as much
of threatening attitude as they dare;
aud think they destroy his happiness
because they ostracise him. Not 90
the Northern man with Southern prin-
ciples. He falls naturally into the
arms OF the Democrats, who receive
him as the noblest form Of mau.
II now remains to be decided wheth-
or the cost and suffering of the war
shall be made to yield the fruit OF ma
tional peace aud prosperity; whether
the Democratic States OF the South
shall continue defiant in disloyalty and
add other Southern States 10 them;
whether, indeed, ths safety of the Un-
ion is assured. The presence OF so
many eI-confederates in the House OF
Representatives causes many evil fore
bodings. They are there for no good.
III the truth were told Of how many OF
them got there il would not rebound
TO their credit. The sancity OF the bal
lot-box has little respect In their eyes
and as to the rights OF citizenship whom
the citizen 10 not in accordance with
their political views ID is q short shift
OF swift dispersion. Ii would be inter-
esting to know IN many cases how
many Republican votes were cast by
Republicans in districts overwhelming
ly Republican. and yet a Democrat
claims TO represent them. But il never
happens the other way. No demo-
cratic district has Republican repre-
sentative; so that is quite q one-sided
affair, in which Republicans are made
TO suffer by the cheating TO e1slt that
kind Of Southern Democrat whom Re
publicans despiss. because Of his dis
loyalty. The backbone OF the Demo.
cratic party is mado up OF the old
Bourbon rebel element. The Southern
Democracy have got the Northern
Democrats nose to tho grindstons and
the Democratit phrty Uett ~tanoA hos
stood in a worse light before the best
citizens of the country. Under the
lead Of SoutherRs Of tarnished sur
roundipgs the Democratic party has
been guilty OF unuterable meanness,
aud played into the hands OF disloyal
men, who are plotting TO reverse the
reconstruction measures the Republi-
cans and preventing the education and
prosperity OF the colored people.
Here q great question arises which
ought 10 receive settlement that can
not be- disturbed. As one OF the issues
\ OF the war the colorsd man not only
obtained his freedom but had coufsr-
! red on him the rights Of q citizen. IL
will not do in a great republic like thiA
for men, who by their rebellion sought
TO do il irreparable injury. to defy the
National Government, which is the.em'
bodiment of the popular will. Either
the rights Of citizenship shall be enjoy
ed by the colored man or the people
must understand that tho Democratic
party does its best to deprive him o.
those rights and keep him in servils
condition. And this in the centennia
year OF national freedom and indepen
dence!
But the backbone Of the Republican
party is composed Of the oldfashioneC
Free Soil element, which has histor,
of which the country may be proud
Starting out with the recognition o
manhood, whatever hue the skin nigh
be. freedom aud the rights Of citizen
ship were conferred, which must nsvel
be abandoned until they are secured
IL is all very we'll for the Democrac.
of the South TO say that slavery !
dead, and that the old STAKEHOLDER
would not have it again IL they could
This is not true, startling rs it may ap
pear, Where Republicans are in tn
ascendency colored men have thei
rights. and they are protected from tn
unscrupulous desigus OF the Bourbon
I Democrats. But in the States whic
J have been seized by the Democrac
} the colored man has few rights the
: recognize. His is q condition OF ser
| dom with as near an approach TO sla'
: ery as possible. He Is willfully keI
: ignorant that he may be imposed upoI
( IN he hires land il is at q disadvantag'
= The fruit OF his crops and his labor
Y snatchsd away from him and his fam
ly. The Southern Democracy seen
y 10 have combined to enrich themselvt
a at the expense OF the colored peopl
4 and TO rely upon their iguorance TO d
IL effectually. IL the colored man con
j. plains he has no redress. No Dem,
cratic lawyer will take up his case. \
a Democratic judge will do him iustic
and Democratic juries also decide
!, !, favor OF their Democratic friend
- - Then again. petty crimes. often broug
- about 10y the poverty OF colored mi
Y who have been industrious, but who
a industry has brought them no prof
9 are exaggerated, and they are punish
:. by long terms OF imprisonment, whIt
~ break mp homes and scatter famili,
e And altogether, Republicans. VIII
70 and black, are exposed TO such bitt
u hostility that few statements made
n the press have ovsrdrawn the dark p
ture.
~ Hostility against Republicans a
% colored citizens on political grounds
- southern States is an evil which
:. mands n remedy. 10 will not be p
yented Dy tne cry w nv p'oo
.. shirt" 1t will rather hide behind !
r. bloody shirt in order TO continue. L
Ia Democratic party has shown itself
a. ct to he trusted with power. Whe
Of ever the Democracy have had pov
-. they have nbnsed it, To think OF
4. country under tie control Of the do
a. ocrncy is appalling. All the evils
!. the past would be revived on the p
~. pie; and the avenue Of national y
~ eress would he closed. The only he
II OF the people lies in the success OF
a. Republican party. This is no time
" turn backward. The vote Of every
publican is needed in November
the nominee Of his party. Let th
he, then, a grand determination an
mighty effort made 10 assemble at
polls, that the vote OF the Republic