Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-30
| Resurrection of the Dough-
faces.

IL it fair? Is 1t just? Is It not q viola
fion of every principle OF honest journal
ism to Unfortunately denounce white
Southern Republicans as carpet-baggers,
because they CHANGED to have been born
In the Northern and Western States, while |
Southern democrats, though recently in
arms against the Government, are repre-
scented as the pinks and paragons of per-
sonal propriety and chivalrous manliness,
though their 6nanc ial integrity and moral
standing are none of the best? Most of
the former have permanently established
their homes In the South. have invested
their all in.business undertakings for years
have been as much citizens of the States
in which they reside as the men born on
the soil, too many of the latter never hav-
ing lifted their fingers in any efforts of in
dustry or business to build up and improve
the localities and communities in which
they have passed their lives. The only
real sin Of these carpetbag Republicans is
that they have dared to maintain the au-
thority of the Constitution and the laws
in defense Of the political rights of
the colored citizens of the South
whose sweat and blood have earned
nearly all the property that Southern dem
ocrats now possess. Whenever any of
these men of Northern birth elect to become
Democrats, though their former record may
have been none of the best, they are at
once totally changed 10 the eyes of the
Confederate Democrats. This rank injus-
tice to Southern Republicans too often
finds Its way into Northern newspapers,
some Of them of Republican profession.
Some Of the so-called independent jour
mails of New York, Philadelphia and Bos-
ton have shown in this regard an astound-
ing brazen audacity of wIckedness. Cor
respondents, and often editors, of these
journals have made brief visits South. have
been dined and wined by wealthy support
ers OF the "lost cause" much in the style
of slaveholdng times, and not many days
after appears in Northern metropolitan
newspapers rosy views of the hospitality,
political integrity and high toned charac-
tiers of these men "to the manor born"
This is precise duplication of what was
constantly Transporting before the war.
There was then, as now. a constantly
maintained system of white-washing, ly-
ing. and deception through Northern
newspapers. The atrocities of the slave
system were concealed, and the brutality
Of its supporters apologised for or square
ly denied Those who dared 10 think that
slave-breeedlng and whipping were not
entirely humane and patriohc-who had
conscience sufficiently sensitive to think
that God made man to be the owner OF
himself, were denounced as disturbers of
the peace and hostile to the conservative
rule OF the South. The Dough face libel
ers Of twenty years ago repeat themselves
In the more nauseating laudations of the
conservative Democrats of the South
Of to-day, the men recently engaged in a
wicked rebellion against the Union, wag-
ing war In manner that shows how I'm.
worthy they are of the sickening lauda-
tons of the so-called independent and
Democratic press.
The tone Of these newspapers touching
the republican State Government of South
Carolina, and Florida shows their striking
unfairness and how shamslessly they are
trying to mislead the people of the South.
Though these States exhibit better finan-
eial management than in Democratic
Georgia. West Virginia. and other States
since tbe1 were take out .of "carpet-bag
control 81 armed violence, intimidation
and murder. Especially is Wade Hamp
ton presented as a paragon of public viz
tue and chivalrous statesman in contrast
to that disturbing agitator and carpet bag
ger, Governor Chamberlain. Yet an ex-
animation Of the the antecedents and bus
mess character Of Wade Hampton
prove that he has squandered his own
property. and that of others in a much
larger degree, in way that put him ut
terly. outside of the pale Of business ca
pacity and commercial integrity If
not deserving of severer treatment accord
ing to the laws of all well governed COM
munities. Yet he is represented as the pink
Of chivalry and the man of Enlightened"
honor. though his hands are stained with
brutal violence and he sought his election
by intimidation and massacre in way
that would put to blush the political
leaders of South America and Mexico.
But what of Governor Chamberlain
He is no commercial bankrupt. no spend
thrift OF other peoples property to the
amount Of q million of dollars. He is a
man of tried personal integrity, of spot
less commercial honor, and noble and hu-
name sentiments. His administration has
stood so well that all the best men of the
Democratic Convention last summer
lacking only seven votes of majority
wished to approve his nomination and
thus make no issue with the Republicans