The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-07-13
Airlnloail 1ispatth,
THURSDAY. ............JULY is, 1875.
The Centennial President

The Centennial President.
The Republican party is sectional party.
From the beginning Of its existence until
now, there has never been q day when its
success did not bode injury to the South.
1t began life as turbulent disturber Of the
peace OF the country. 1t has kept up its
existence by promoting strife between the
different sections Of the country. Its Pres
ident was chosen in 1850 not by the people
but by the electors. LINCOLN having re-
ceived much less than half Of the votes cast
by the people for President. In 1864 he
was reelected because the country was at
war. In 1868 and 1872 GRANT was elected
because he was recognized as the conqueror
OF the South. In 1876 HAYES is the cand-
date OF this same party, which has thus al
ways represented not the United States but
the disunited States.
This is the centennial OF American indie
pendence. 1t should be a year OF jubilee.
There should be an end to all strife between
the people OF the North and those Of the
South. There should be nothing to remind
the country Of the dreadful scenes OF the
war. Peace ought to be allowed TO extend
her protecting and sheltering wings over all
the land. From Maine to Texas and from
Virginia to California the voice OF rejoicing
should be heard.
Can this state bf things follow the election
Of HAYES and WHEELER? Can they be re-
Union-of a reunited people? Will not
their success be accounted triumph Of the
North over the South? Will it not mean
condemnation Of large part OF the Union?
Will it not be an indication to all the world
that we cry ''Peace, Peace, when there is
no peace:
Are the northern people willing to enter
upon the second century Of the existence OF
this country as free and independent COM
munity with blood in their hearts and
swords in their hands? Are they willing to
begin the new century by brandishing over
our heads the symbols OF oppression and con-
quest? Can they find it in their hearts to
belle the principles laid down one hundred
years ago in the Declaration OF Indcpend-
ence, and still claimed by the people OF both
sections OF the Union as the basis OF all good
government:
What would the election Of HAYES indi-
cate to the world? Not that the people are
in favor OF reform in the civil service, nor
OF free education, nor Of economy III the
expenditure OF money, nor OF any sound
principle 81 government. It would Indicate
that one third OF the States are still con-
sidercd as subjugated provinces, and one
third OF the people as unfit to have gov
crnmcnt OF their own choice. The success
OF the Republican ticket would be verdict
OF condemnation pronounced upon the
people OF the South, not because they arc
not honest, Just, and true, but because they
attempted fifteen years ago to secedc from
the Union. Shall such verdict be pro-
nounced in this centennial year!
The election OF Mr.. TILDEN would, on the
contrary, be presage of peace and union
a guarantee Of brotherhood and trustiul-
ness. 1t would carry with it no memories
OF the war. It would lie no sort OF verdict
against the northern people, nor against the
cause for which they fought from 1861 To
1865. 1t would be promise that the bitter
memories OF the past were to be obliterated,
yet a substantial and real triumph Of the
cause OF the Union. It would be one OF
those victories which are no less renowned
than those OF war-u victory OF kindness
and brotherly love.
The South does not ask that any OF her
sons shall be entrusted with the Govern
ment. She asks only that a man shall be
chosen to preside over the destinies OF our
grand Union whose election would be the
best thing that could take place for the peo-
pie Of every State in the Union. TlLDEN'S
success would be the triumph OF good gov
eminent, OF honesty, of reform in every
department, OF peace and goodwill, and OF
the principles whose declaration one hun
dred years ago made it possible for the peo-
pie Of the United States to choose this year
Centennial President.