Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-26
The Lesson of the Hamburg Mas
Sacre.


To the Editor of the Journal:
WASHINGTON D. c., July, % 1876.
I'well remember that, in a short but telling
speech of Hon. w. P. Frye before the Maine ke-
publican Club In this city, he remarked, in sub
stance, that the "Bloody shirt" theory was not
myth, but reality, and that he was not ashamed
to advocate it; that the republican party in view
of the same rebel spirit existing in strong force
in the South, would have to WELD this theory in
the coming campaign. and that 1t would be ITS
strongest weapon; that the spirit of rebellion
bate Of the North and opposition to negro eniran-
chisement and equality before the law, was upper
most in the southern mind, and if the democratic
party again came into power, that spirit would DC
rampant and control its action.
Mr.. Frye was one Of the Wheeler Compromise
Committee, which had Investigated Louisiana
troubles most Thoroughly. and he was, OF all the
members of that committee, best able to judge OF
the condition of affairs, having made most search
ing and complete investigation, both as member
of the committee and in his private capacity.
His was no "wine supper" or teadyish examin-
alton. He went determined to get at the bottom
facts and be undoubtedly found them, as his
strong utterances in denunciation of southern hate
and revenge, murder and rapine, which had come
fully to his knowledge, proved. He indicated
then, that this mslevolence and utter disregard
for the lives of "carpet- baggers" and "niggers
would manifest itself whenever opportunity Of
fered, and that nothing but the strong arm of the
Government, firmly and steadily exercised, would
keep this spirit in subsection.
;r i,IO 1ot
the terrorisms Of Mississippi and South Carolina,
of late, show. Certain classes of well meaning
politicians at the North had begun to think that
these stories of southern misrule and malice were
kept before the public for political effect, and that
such men as Senator Morton with bloody shirt
speeches should be sent to the rear They mag-
ned that the era of good feeling so much predict
ed by the conservatives, and really SO much hoped
for by every right minded individual, had very
nearly arrived, and they were willing to concede
much and forgive much to accelerate the forward
movement of the "good time coming" Shrewdei
men-those who, like Mr.. Morton had studied
thoroughly the feelings and character of the
Southern people-or. like Mr.. Frye, had personal
ly inspected their political, moral, and social sta
tus-knew better. They were at once and at al
times ready to sustain the measures adopted ant
maintained by the Government-harsh though
they might seem TO some-to sustain. the rights O.
the whols people in the south, which means pro
lection to those newly enfranchised as we'll as te
those lately in rebellion. Educated, as have beer
the Southern people. to regard law as only subser
Went to their own political or social well-being
they will continue TO oppose in their own way. a.
shown in the Hamburg massacre, the execution O.
any measures that trench on their high-born no
tons of citizenship or equality. These notions
are directly antagontstic to the results evolved
in the ir midst by action Of war; that it will tax,
many, many years of political and intellectual ed
ucaton, besides Immigration, and ntcrminginl
of other peoples, to change the nature and senti
ment of this hot blooded section of our country
Until that time arrives. their erroneous opinions
which constantly manifest themselves in disregard
of life, rights and opinions, N as be held in check