Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-09-19
BLOODY SHIRT

an'maIes tue hePuUlcan party. we cOulQ
wish that every man in this County who de-
sires the election of Tilden and Hendricks in
November next, could have a copy of the adj
dress which is b FIRE US, aud headed, a "Warn-
in to the South" This precious paper is
affixed to the letters of acceptance of Messre.
Hayes and Wheeler, and is scattered broad
cast over the country. Its object is to ''ire
the Northern heart" by appealing to the
worst passions of the Northern people, and af
ter reading it we felt that the South may in
deed cry, "Woe to US, if we are un~faithful."
Here is an extract containing about as many
falsehoods as can be conveniently crammed
into so small a space
"When the war was over the Republican
party desired to reconstruct the South on =
basis in accord with the new condition of So
ciety and its political welfare. At first the
rebel Democracy held s~ulIenly aloof, and
would do nothing to aid the cause. But while
abstinence from interference was an open pre-
tense, it was soon discovered that the rebel
element had been industriously at work found
log Ku-Klux Klans, White Leagues, and.
the White Mans party, every member of
which was a rebel, oath-bound to intimidate
or murder Republicans"
A little further on comes another sweet
soothing morsel in these words
'The disloyal men responsible for this cons
dition of affairs must be pointed out and held
up to the bar of public opinion. Instead of
the ignominous sight of rebels who had es-
capped the halter through amnesty, arrsigniDg
the nation in Congress for the acts of the Re-
publican party in saving the Union, which
amnes;ied rebels had sought to destroy, the
ignominy must be made TO rest on the heads
of rebels and other Democrats who have taken
part in that arraignment, that their character
may be known and passed upon by the people,"
Then comes a wave of the bloody shirt in
this gallant style
Rebels are in Congress, and some of them
had been members of the rebel Congress.
How they got into the Congress of the Union
must be made known. \ true history of
what was done to secure the appearance of
their election would be startling reading.
Wives and children of colored citizens, terri
fed by the appearance at midnight of White
Lesguers, masked but well>knowp, demand
ing and taking away the husband and father
to mutilate with cruel whippiDgs or shoot in
the woods; Republicans intimidated and or
dered to leave and this is in the year of the
Lord 1875, the year before the Centennial,
and continued since. x x x < x +
That the victims live under the glorious
old flag with the stars and stripes, of which
we are so proud that we cannot help Boosting
of it, is an anomaly and an outrage that needs
explanation"
After a threatening admonition to 'the
South, to take warning in time" Chat is, vote
for Hayes and Wheeler) we have som advice
to the Republican party upon the necessity of
combining and holding together, which would
be very applicable to the Democratic Conser-
vative party of this County in its present dis
o-gonizsd nnnditina-
"RePublicAns, be true to your principles
but above all things combine and hold to-
getheT. By voting rightly and certainly
not one ballot left uncsst, and watch>
ing against fraud and injustice to mako
ii knowa-the power of the Democratic ex-
Confederacy in the South will be broken" + *
These extracts show not only the fierce bloody
shirt spirit of unreasoning hatred towards the
South generally, and especially towards all
''rebels who had escaped the halter" by the
inexcusable mercy of Congress, but they
oAO" u AOIkS DGlDSh dUe
by the Republican party to keep well organ
ized-to concentrate their strength-to act
in solid column. They we'll know that or
ganizstion and disorganization never came in
coDfict.upon snythiDg ike equal terms, that
the latter was not overwhelmingly defeated.
The disorganization of the Democratic.
Conservative party of this County may really
cause the election of Hayes and Wheeler.
We know that many readers may be disposed
to laugh at such an idea. But the assertion
is none the less true. Whether the Eve Elec-
toraI votes to which West Virginia is entitled
will be cast for Mr. Hayes or Mr. Tilden will
depend upon whether the Republicans or the
Democrats cast the most votes throughout the
entire State. If the Republicans cast only
one vote more than are cast by the Democrats
all i've of the Republican Electors will be
elected, and those f~ve..may decide the cleo
tion of President. In this view of the sub
Jectis 1t not important that every effort should
be made by every Democratic Conservative
man in Jefferson County-whether he be a
candidate or only a voter-to promote a feel>
ing Of harmony and good feeling in the party.
DISCRIMINATION, especially in this Presidential
year, can do no good and may result in in
caleuiable harm Horace Greeley was beaten
10 1872 because the Democrats would not
stand by their party nominee. Who osn say
~,a: may be the result in this Centennial
gear II rot standing BY our party nominees,
County and State, as well as Federal.
1t is charged by some who dislike the ION.
ina'ion made for Sheriff on Saturday week,
that 'Mr. Baker is a Granger" Why is not
the same, charge brought against Col. r. W.
BAYLOR. who is one of the bnads oF tho ordo-