The Portland daily press., 1876-03-01
UnmaSked.

Every lover of his county hoped that the
lavish professions of good will expressed by
leading Southern gentlemen during the past
year and particularly on the occasion of the
Bunker Hill centennial, were sincere and
that the mistaken leaders having turned their
backs upon the past, were eager to unite with
their brethren in all sections to bring about
national harmony and mutual good will.
True, there are many who regretted that the
"blue and gray" as the representatives of the
late bloody struggle should be so mingled as
to obliterate the distinction between those
who died for the righteous and those who fell
TOR the unrighteous cause; yet, for the sake
OF the future, for peace and good will. they
made no protest against this injustice to
the dead. Those who penetrated beyond the
surface, thought they detected in the extrav-
agant protestations of devotion to the coun-
try and goodwill to all its inhabitants, some-
thing of the gush and the drivel that comes
OF too much champagne. While all this was
going on, the people of the North were COM
ing to the belief that the Toombses and
Hills have no following among the Southern
masses and few associates among the con-
servative politicians. True, such little dis
turbing episodes as the Vicksburg riot and
frequent rumors of violence and intimidation
ID elections came to our ears bat we general
ly put them by with the remark of 'sbloody
shirt.'
Congress met; the amnesty debate fol-
lowed; Mr.. Hill poured forth the vials of his
hate; ex-rebels who gloried in the deeds of as
sassins and treated with contempt Republi-
can congressman, are honored with clerk
ships. The southern congressman demand
ed general amnesty for all as a proof that the
North harbored no bitterness and was actua-
ted by no feelings of resentment. In the
midst of their profuse professions there came
letter from ex-Gov. Holden of North Caro-
lima, saying that these same conserva tives,
now demanding amnesty, refused to remove
the disabilities which they had imposed upon
him because as Governor of that state he
supdued the KuKlux assassins. This was a
slight indication of the real feelings of the
southern leader in those states. Now we
nave iurther and more startling proofs of the
taslty OF their professions in the recent ac-
lion Of the Louisiana House of Representa-
tives in attempting to impeach Gov Kellogg
after Republican Congress had effected
compromise to which nearly every member of
legislature agreed. Later advices indicate
that the Louisiana House suddenly aban-
doned its raid upon Gov. Kellogg. Why?
IA T.
IL IS too early? Are the conspirators warned
by Democratic leaders that their attempt
Will further alarm the North, and that they
must wait until Democratic President and
congress is elected, who will support them in
policy which will certainlo renew the war
Oh races in that i!l.fated state?
The same day the Democratic Legislature
OF mississippi ara reported as taking steps to
lmpeach and punish by disfranchisement
Gen. Ames. What are the charges? Not
that he has corruptly conducted public office,
not That he has plunderei the treasury but
that ne has taken improper and illegal steps
to support the duly elected officers of Vicks-
burg. This is the cause assigned. The real
motive is to get rid OF Republican governor
to remove and impose political disabilities
upon Gen. Adelbert Ames-a gallant soldier
on the Union side and native of this state.
by falr means or by foul, the conservative
leaders propose to acquire political supremacy
in every Southern state and that at the earli-
est day possible.
fortunately for the country these rash
leaders have developed their purpose too