The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-12-14

tics of the country continued to turn on
the issues and the passions of the late
civil war. But their words were little
needed. The whole people seemed an
xious to seperate into two great hostile
armies and how it looks very much as if
these armies were about ready to drop
the ballot box and settle their fierce diff
ferences with the bayonet.
The calamity of it all is that those
citizens who have foreseen the threaten
ed dangers, and who labored to avert
them, will be dragged into the inevita>
BILE convu.sion. In snch time the
moderate and the prudent have little
power; the extremists and the mad-caps
rule the hour. The country to>day is
like q vast powder magazine. Any fool
can apply the match that will blow it
into the air.
There is enough OF fact and argument.
on each side to justify men in extreme
measures; while ambition and greed
will prepare the way for those meas
ures and doubtless large element in
the South will see in universal anarchy
prospect tor the realition OF their old
dream of seperate independence.
There is but one human power which
is able to avert civil war; that is, the
money power OF the country. In case
of . widespread conflict the bonds Of
the nation would be worth almost
nothing, while the national bank notes
would fall to corresponding level. This
consideration will compel the capitalists
to bring tremendous pressure to bear
upon their tools in Congress to avert
civil war.
In the meantime those of the people
who are not partizans grow more and
more perplexed with the multiplicity OF
legal questions, which have arisen upon
each one Of which the result seems to
hinge.
There can be no doubt that the rule of
the carpet bag element in the Sonth has
covered that unfortunate region with an
enormous burden of debt and taxation.
Irresponsible and corrupt white men
from the north, holding power by the
votes Of an ignorant negro population,
and having no stake in the prosperity OF
the state, have inaugurated ! reign OF
plunder. The men who spent the taxes
paid none; and the men who paid the
taxes had no influence in determining
how they should be spent. The wealth
and tie int diligence ofthe state were sub
iect to the rule OF landless and igno-
rant population.
This evil result is not due 70 the mere
fact that the negroes had the right to
vote but to the further tact that the car,
pet baggers worked on the prejudices Of
the coiored people and held them to-
gether in one sulid phalaux, until the
| line OF color became the line OF politics.
The white men of the South found
that no argument could reach the negro
vote they found their material pros.
perity disappearing under crushing and
endless burdens OF taxation; they were
driven to desperation and they resorted
to violence and that violence 1T once
horrifed and disguised the people OF the
North.
We who stand afar off, in the midst 0
peace and order, simply see the dreadful
fact that men are scourged, mutilated o
murdered because oftheir political opin
ions. With such acts we have no sym
pathy, Whatever our political opinion!
may be. They are repugnant to chris
tianity: to civilization tand to all to
merciful dispositions ofthe human heart
they are . disgrace to the nineteent
century and horrible burles1ue upol
free institutions.
When the republicans are able :
quote such acts as the following the.
make the strongest possible appeal Y
the supper, Of the North:
1.-The white people Of that and Othe
southern states had, by their rebellion
forfeited all right to representation ]
Congress, or to any participation 10 th
government Of the Union, aud had bee
compelled Is 4 condition OF resumin
their former political rights to assent
. constitutional amendments By which, !
,, hostility to their will, they who had bee
but late their slaves were made citizeni
and although it was their duty to subm
: to this political Reorganization, the AZ
! nails OF the south. and especially I
Louisiana, disclose widespread Al
persistent determination of its ruliu
!: white people to prevent the exercise
: : the elective franchise by the colore
race, except subject to their will. Tn
> was manifested BY violence, outrag'
! and murders perpetraied 10 that sta
!; Just proceeding the presidential clectie
9 Of 1868. They will be found stated
various congressional reports. Fro
3 these it appears that over two thousa'
I: were killed, wounded andDtherwise
. ;ured in that state within few weeks
. the presidential election OF that yea.
that half the state was overrun by vi
fence, midnight raids. secret murder
and open riots. which kept the people
/, constant terror until the republicans 81
70 rendered all claims.
= 1.-The i've parishes Of Eass and W
A. Felicinia. East Baton Rouge, Acerhou
~ Ouachita, appear, - the evidence q
g closes. TO hsve been especially select
= g.. ~, ,.nrvoersYion 0f Such violence 4