Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-01
REPUBLICANS-STAND FIRM AND
ORG ME-


The wonder to many thoughtful people
who take great interest in the welfare OF
the colored race in the South is that there
are not some men of talent and influence
among them to guide with safety the more
ignorant and numerous who wish TO 40
right. In the Southern States where the
colored people are in the majority there
ought to be an effective organization ior
political objects; and men Entrusted win
the leadership should act with openness
and wisdom, and explain the power of
numbers when acting in combination.
The colored citizens cannot help seeing
that all the strength of the Southern De-
mocracv is derived from their holding to-
gether Democrats know that their prin-
ciples and their record do not entitle them
to much respect at the hands of men who
perled their lives for the protection OF the
Union. You do not look for disloyalty in
the ranks of republicans; but you expect
to meet il in the ranks of Southern demo-
Gratis. And the evil eliminates in the
democratic effort to keep free South I'M
der the same control as that which
welded power during the days of slavery
The South is no longer procrustean
bed, to which tall persons are to be fitted
by looping off their limbs. Like other
communities, it has outgrown the period
of .hackles; and republicans of the South
must long since have discovered that they
must combine for their own protection.
The democracy have rendered it mpossi
bic to join hands on political questions.
Republicans were true to their country and
are so still. A democrat represents a
state of things which the war destroyed
which has passed away; but which he Ia
bors TO revive in order to restore what was
dominant before the war. He is in favor
of the color line; of caste distinctions; of
the subordination OF the blacks of white
superiority; of maintaining. as far as pos
sible, the obnoxious judgment OF Chief
Justice fancy that ''lhe colored man has
no rights which the white man is bound
to respect"
The republican party is the representa-
tive of justice; of justice between man
and man; of the principle of the equality
of all men before the law; and of the pro-
lection of the rights of all. II is not like
ly that republicans who endured without
flinching the fierce opposition of the de-
mocracy against human freedom, and who
fought the Slave Power until slavery was
destroyed, will be disposed to yield to the
efforts made to keep down the freemen,
and to keep open the gulf between the
white man and the black The action of
Southern democrats and democratic lead
ers is leading to grave complications,
which only become graver as time passes
on. Disturbance and violent collisions
are the natural result, which not only inn
pede thu restoration of good feeling. but
delay indefinitely the practicability OF the
South becoming part of the Union where
in the laws are obeyed and the people pur-
sue their business without interference,
as elsewhere. Politically, republicans are
the salt of the country. The doctrines Of
the republican party have been the coun-
try's preservation. Had the democracy
been allowed to enforce their views it
would have been an ntolerable burden.
Their partial success in some of the States
in the South has been felt to be Il griev
ance calling loudly for redress. 1t will
always be so until the power of the ma
joritv is recognized, and its Legitimate re-
suits accepted. Can there be peace in
any section where the minority seeks to
oyerawe and break down the will of the
majorityP 1t is both an otfense to civil
cation and national danger; and the
danger is accommodating, until to-day the
attitude Of the democratic party in the
South is so menacing that unless republic
can principles shall have their sway and
republicans be allowed in safety to exer-
else their rights, on the ground of the ne
cessity of public justice, there can be no
peace The democratic party in the South
and North has become an ulcer on the
body polite which is sloughing away the
strength of the people and defeating the
public will Let republicans stand firm
to their principles and organize their
forces, and then stand by one another,
shoulder to shoulder, and success is Ger
tain 1.-The Republic.