New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13

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Until vifhin shoFt time Is has been CON-
ceded BY Republican,, almost - 9 matter OF
course. that the Democrats would carry -
solid South" This concession hes been
based partly ON the bold assertion OF Demo-
crats themselves, and partly ON the expert.
euce of tho past and the proved efficiency OF
shotguns and Derringer pistols Is election.
no ccnceelmeut of their purpose to carry
every Southern State, and all their calCular
tions of success are based ON this aseulnp-
ton. There are several Southern States
which they could not possibly carry by
fair means, but when it ID remembered
that they did carry the State OF Missile
sippi last year over fair Republican ma
jority Of At least 25,o0O 1t 70 not sur
prising that Republicans have been
dlspoeed to concede their ability to
carry every Southern State BY the same
violent and forcible methods. But We are
pleased to note q change in the course of
Republican sentiment on this question, aHd
q growing disposition to contest the claim
of the Democracy to solid South. We
welcome this as an indication OF the in.
creasing vitality and aggressiveness Of Re-
In the party to assert the principles Of lib
er.y and Justice IN every part Of the coun-
try. There exists not particle of doubt
that in at least four Southern States, viz,
the two CarOlinas, Louisiana and Missis-
sippi. the Republicans have decided ma
jority, which can only be overcome BY viO-
fence and intimidation. This being the case,
the question arises as to the duty of Re-
publicars with regard to theee States.
First, as to the duty Of Republicans in
the North. They should make united de-
mand on the government authorities for the
| exercise of such preventive measures az will
| insure the protection of every legal voter
and fair election in the States named.
| They should do this in such way and with
q degree of earnestness that the govern
ment can not fail to heed and act upon
it. Self;respect, justice to ourselves and
| to the Southern Republican,, justice to
| law and liberty and Republican principles
| demand that this should be done. We can
not afford to allow the principle become
| established that an armed and militant
| minority may Overawe and intimidate an
unarmed majority. and carry elections year
after year by force and violence. The
government had better abandon at once all
pretense of authority in the Southern States
/ than to maintain the form of asserting it
| there without enforcing the laws or protect
| ing men in the exercise of the c0mmOnest
| rights of citizenship. Every citizen of the
| United States 10 disgraced. the government
| itself is disgraced, while this state Of things
| continues. We repeat therefore, it is the
| duty of Republicans to urge this matter up
| on the attention Of the government author
| tiles, necessarily and imperatively, until
| such steps shall be taken a. will evince Q
! purpose to protect life and enforce the laws
| in those States.
Second, e. to the duty of Southern Re-
| publicans. We maintain that it il their
duty a. freemen and citizens to make a.
| thorough organization ~ possible in every
| Southern State, and especially in the States
where they are in majority, to nominate
| good men for Office, declare their prin-
| ciples and assert their right to vote. Provi-
! dence has placed them in q position where
they are called upon to assert Republican
| principles under very trying circumstances;
has placed them, as it were, on the
picket line of the army Of liberty;
| but as freemep, and men Of convie-
tiOns, they ought to assert their rights
| temporarily and dlscreetly, but firmly
and inhexibly. The preservation and es-
tablishment Of Republican principles is en-
trusted, under Providence. to their hands,
and they have no right to shirk or evade
their duty. We repeat, therefore, let them
organize thoroughly in every Southern
State and assert their rights. It is imposei-
bic that the government or the nation can
much longer remain deaf to their appeals,
or blind to the impending danger in the
South. That danger is nothing less than
the practical throttling of liberty in many
States of the Union. and it can only be met
and obviated by an aggressive movement
Of the Republican party all along the line
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