, 1876-08-26
The H!oody Shirt.

The report of Senator BoGtwe.ls
committee on Mississippi affairs re
yeals the same wrejched muddle, poll
lieal and social, which such reports on
the state Of the South generally shows
But the assertions nf conspiracy on
the part of the whites against the
political rights of the blacks would be
more confidently listened TO dId not
the rerort make such Al admission as
tha, Governor Ames was illegally
persuaded to resign by the Legisla'nre.
II Is lamenlabie, indeed, that men
ike Edmunds, Boutwell,, Morton ana
others, Sho knows Their duty well on
so grave question, cannot give the
tru,h. and the whole truth, uncOlOred
by mean partisauship. The MIssls-
sippi Investigation was conceived,
prosecuted and consummated, not 10
give The country the truth, but TO save
il possible, debauchcd party and lis
rule from the condemnation ihey SO
richly merit. The testimony was
mainly. il not wholly, from one side,
and from the most characterIes> al
renturers or dependents, and Ihe MA
jority Of the committee deliberately
Sopr' :, lily reiIessed the fall and
falr development II tne iac's-
Considering that Such partisan re
ports have now been regular campaign
invention: for ten years past, aud Oniy
when desperate poll ical necessities
demanded them, Mr.. Boutwel and
his partisan associates have presumed
very largely upon the creduiity OF an
intelligent people. The mass OF all
parties want law and order III every
State. and will 90 as far as the tar
lhest IN enforcing good government
in The South and in puaishing all erin
inals and defeating All parties which
shield wrong doerS; but they want to
know the truth. and they want to
know it .; some Other time than Just
on the eve Of an election, and from
some more trusted source than a
uoiilical committee that loves 10 ioSte:
and magnify disorder to save tot
tering party.
The alleged outrageS in Mississippi,
which are made the foundation for the
most startling and revolutionary re
commeudations by the committee,
were rerpetra;ed, to whatever extent
they were perpetra!ed at all, daring
the last two years, and if half be tue
that the commiltee affects 10 believe,
why was the Effort not made long ago
and practical measures proposed ana
adopted 10 enforce peace by the
present Congres, ? The effort 20 enact
Snch measures a. The committee sug>
gestS would lead 10 the fail and au-
rhentic Development Of the truth, and
the committee would be sustained, or
It's partisan deceit stripped to naked
ness, by the discussion OF the question.
II the committee is honest " must
demand immediate legislation, and
the Senate mn-t refuse 10 adjourn ia
til il sends proper caraiiye measures
70 The H.. VIII tie Senate da:e
~ 10 20? Irf.t = .s,-v--.. u - = -
fenl ils OWE great campaign document
by making a record in favor Of the
ieai>la,ion recommended ? Il Bout
well and Eimnuds approach the Truth
in their statements In TIE Srna:e, there
can bauo excase given for 2n ! tj9urn>
ment until legislation is either enacted
or the responsibility Of is defeat rut
n,on the Hou+e. Do Boutwell,, Ei
mnuds and Morton believe what they
say TO the country about Mississippi ?
We shall see thelher they do or not
by tfSr acts. ii they step with their
report, and adjourn without legislation
they will declare to the nation that
they are either deliberate falsfers or
are utterly fogetful Of their graves,
duties. Which horn will they choose ?
-PhilaIs{phca Times.