New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-07
THE NATIONAL GUARANTEE.

The President reiterates his views in re
gard to the acquisition Of San Domingo
We appreciate his explanation of polio
which encountered strange opposition
from the friends Of the colored race. az,
also from Southern people who are deepl,
interested in the commerce Of the tropica
countries. The views of the Presiden
have acquired even more force from oc
currences since it's first Recommendation
The progress Of the United States de
ponds greatly upon opening commercia
relations with our Southern continent
President Grant has always manifested
great interest in this policy.
He has steadily refused to acquire con
troll of Cuba by any indirect means, ye
he suggests the superior capacity of Sar
Domingo for the production of the trop
ical staples which American commerce
demands in exchange for our own pro-
auctions. We have said that the policy
of this acquisition has acquired new i'm.
portance within the past few years.
Nothing except the enforcement of the
Federal authority has, in our opinion,
prevented the practical notification Of
the rights accorded the colored citizen.
Universal amnesty has nullifed universal
suffrage. How far the casual defeat Of
the White League party has secured the
permanent protection of the colored citi-
zen, we can not now tell. Should the
same violence and intolerance which has
marked the past few years continue, it
will be impossible that the colored citi-
zens can preserve the rights accorded
them by the constitution.
They will capitulate and surrender
their suffrage to secure their lives. It
will be for the nation to determine
whether "the denial or abridgement" of
these rights shall be permitted by dis
abling the power that has inflicted it.
This will be determined by the present or
succeeding Congress. If, however, the
apprehensions of the colored citizens
should be realized in the denial of their
rights and the regulation of their wages;
if they are to be subjected to the murder
GUS caprice of irresponsible enemies,
they will need, and the nation will give
them, facilities of escape. The Repub-
lican President and Senate will give them
treaties by which they can find in their
native tropics an asylum denied them
here. The REPUBLICAN has pointed out
in detail which it is unnecessary to re-
peat, the facility with which these people
could conduct an exodus to the islands
and mainland where their virtue would
be recognized and rewarded. The fol-
lowing suggestion of the President is
more true now than at the period to
which it is applied by him:
l do not suppose the whole race would
have gone, nor is it desirable that they
should 60. Their labor is desirable, indis-
peneable, almost, where they now are; but
the possession of this territory whould have
left the negro master of this situation, bv
enabling him to demand his rights at homo
On pain OF finding them elsewhere.
Our anxiety that this desirable, almost
indispensable labor" should not be driven
from the South by violence and intoler-
ance, makes US call the attention of our
to the critical questions
now introduced in Congress. We have
no hesitation in saying that if the nation
can not protect these helpless colored
people in the rights which it has given
md guaranteed in this country, it should |
It least secure for them access to some
other country where the responsibilities
by emancipation may be secured.
It is for our fellow-citizens of Louisiana
% determine whether to "let these people
20" to the appointed promise Of peace
md freedom here, or lose there labor here
md incur their competition elsewhere.
We do not know that our fellow-citizens
egard the resolutions introduced by SEN
tor Edmunds as we have done in recent |
rticles. 1t is becoming obvious to our
minds that the nation is wearied of civil
var and with political conspiracy. It is
'alpable that the capture of the whole
'olitical power given to the colored race |
as placed the country in the jeopardy of
osing the results of bloody and costly
'ar. We are convinced that those who
ought and are now paying for that war
erceive the weak spot in their iustifca-
ion. They see Tilden marching up to tho
apitol upon the very strength assigned
he negro as protection of his rights.
this unexpected and astounding use
as been made of the rights granted. If
ne weapon Of suffrage has been wrested
'om the negro, and directed against his
berty, the nation will give another
1t will be to disable his
'eacherous enemy from profting by
leir breach of faith. If this unusual
smedy does not secure universal suffrage,
len may follow the constitutional limita-
on of the power of inquisition moved
y Senator Edmunds. Should that fail,
and patriotism will no
oubt combine to vindicate by some
fectual method the national faith, and
!: least redeem the colored citizens from
lie political and industrial bondage which
icy apprehend.
GENEROUS MAGNANIMITY.
It has ALWAYS seemed to MS sincnlar that |