New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-13

SENATOR BRUCE, OF MISSISSIPPI.

| SENATOR BRUCE, OF MISSISSIPPI.
| We have the testimony of the Washing
ton dispatches to the effect that Senator
Bruce made terrific arraignnent of the
Radicals" in speech made in the execu'
tive session Of the Senate, when the ques.
ton Of Judge Billings confirmation was
under consideration. The trouble with
this successor of Jefferson Davis appears
to arise from the dilatory action of the
Senate in coming to a final conclusion in
the case Of Senator Plnchback. Senator
West and his advocacy of the confrma-
ton, as well as President Grant, come in
for their share of this "terrifc arraign-
ment, though we must yet remain in the
dark as to any specific offenses which he
alleged against either the one or the other.
The party, however, to which Mr.. Bruce
owes his place in the Senate, is warned in
the most solemn manner that they could
not hereafter depend upon the Republican
vote, since the negro votes as his interests
direct.
We suspect Mr.. Bruce has been little
more than rash and imprudent. He has
probably repeated in the Senate threats
which have been imposed upon him by
some of the members of the lobby. The
implied threat that unless the Republican
Senators made haste to seat his friend
Pinchback, the whole negro race would
instantly leave the party and make terms
with the old masters, is stereotyped
form of bluff and buster which we
remember to have heard on divers
and sundry occasions in this city.
It never succeeded in alarming any
body, however, and We thought never to
hear it again, until it is sent back home
second hand from Washington. If the
negro has not heretofore voted as his in
terests directed, it is time he set about it.
The case of Senator Revels, Pinchback
and himself show that the interests of
these three individuals have been cared
for by the colored voters in times past,
when white Republicans and United
States troops protected them from being
frightened away from the polls. This |
was, Of course, before the adoption of the |
shotgun policy in Mississippi, by means
Of which party which claimed to have
30, 900 majority was virtually forced to re-
tire from the contest The threat to relieve |
the Republican party of this immense
mass of manhood will have little effect
On Senators who have periled their repu-
alton and popularity with their own con-
'tituents in their long continued and per-
'istent struggles to protect it. Mr.. Bruce
Till find when he returns to Mississippi
hat the Democracy have not yet the
highest use for him or the negro vote.
f the Republican Senators, whom Mr.
Bruce is now convinced are such hypo-
rites, will keep their hands of, and direct
he President to do the same, the Missis-
ippi Democracy will speedily dispose OF
he negro vote in that State, without much
egard for his feelings or interests.
We regard this outbreak of Senator
Bruce as exceedingly imprudent and i'll
lined. It comes at time when Senators
1orton, Howe and other Republicans
ave, after long and patient labor, trained
he Senatorial mind up to point of sue
ess BY an estimated majority of two votes
q seventy-three and when the danger Of
elapse has by no means passed away.
anything could defeat Pinchback's
hances, this ill-natured outburst
would do it. For the men whom
le addressed as hypocrites know they
re nothing Of the sort, and are not the
ind Of men to be bullied. We hope Mr..
'inchback will hasten to disclaim all
with Mr.. Bruce, in time to pre-
ent the alienation of any more friends
u he has not one to spare. He, as we'll
8 Senator Bruce, should know, and be
sady to acknowledge that it is the Demo-
racy, and not the Republicans, who
land between him and his seat in the
eua.e.