New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-05-30
MR., MoRTOErs LETTER.

1t arrays the two sections against each
other upon the undecided issue of the
war. 1t renders more probable the theory
that the division between the North and
South were not created by slavery, but
was an open contest for power, conducted
upon the pretense of opposition to tariff
on one hand and human bondage on the
other. Mr.. Morton states the open issue
as follows:
As the Democracy have acquired solid
South by force, the Republicans should
acquire solid North by vigilance and the
eternal justice of their cause. Northern
Republicans are now admonished that
they can endure no divisions that will en-
danger their success.
This division will, of course, place the
Republicans Of the South in position
where it will be difficult for them to rem
der any aid to the national party. 1t is
very true, as stated by Mr.. Morton, that
the Democracy has resorted to military
force and social prescription to annihilate
the Republican party at the South. 1t is
very true that the Democratic Congress
has the power to disband the regular
army. 1t is everywhere obvious that the
colored Republicans, deprived of physical
protection, have surrendered to the DEM
ocraey, and can not be relied on to re-
cover the position which the Republicans
once occupied in the Southern States.
What, then, will be the position of the
Southern Republicans in a sectional fght2
Precisely that of prisoners of war and
hostages.
The soidity of the South means even
more than political victory. The col
ored members have given the South a
very strong congressional representation.
The colored people have been, in effect,
subjugated. Suppose we tell Mr.. Morton
that they may be brought into harmoni-
onsand even enthusiastic alliance with the
Democratic element? 1t may be in this
wise. Mr.. Morton says:
The large body of white people who
engaged in the rebellion are firmly united
in favor of several things. Among
these is payment for rebel property taken
or destroyed by our armies, and
the lost slaves will be treated as other
property sacrificed by our government.
There may be strong temptation
placed before the colored voters in regard
to this last indemnity. At first thought
tho eolored people CON not DO e4peotod TO
recognize the validity of claim for their
value, but suppose it occur to them that
by the purchase of such quit claim their
former masters may be appeased and sat
isfed? Is there no danger that they may
be content to see the nation secure this
confirmation of title to themselves?
Again, suppose the Democracy should
say to the eolored people, "Yote with us
for this indemnity and you shall have a.
part Of your own purchase money ?" 1t
would offer strong temptation to ordin-
airy men to receive the guarantee OF rights
and bonds to secure some compensation
for the labor they have given to otherE.
To the old and dependent this would be
strong inducement. There occurs to us
historical example that renders this
thing possible. One of the small islands
in the Caribbean sea was divided be-
tween an authority which recognized
slavery and power which did not AS
first consequence of this difference the
slaves escaped into the free territory until
it became nominal institution. There
was then an act of Unidentified emanci-
patton. No sooner was it known by the
old masters that they would be paid for
their former slaves than they gave guar
antees to those who had escaped from
bondage that they should receive share
of the indemnity, and this Immediately
repeopled the emsncipated district with
all the survivors of the former slaves.
The old masters put in their claims, and
the former slaves received their part Of
the purchase money. The basis Of SINH
lar agreement may be visible in the de-
mand for indemnify on account of the
Southern slaves emancipated by the ma
tional arms. It is very obvious that
solid South viii compel solid North,
and that the men Of each section will, as
in the last war, be compelled to rally to
thesection to which they belong.
We should deplore this second civil
war. There is but one. chanee-perhaps
a fOrlorn one--to prevent it. Let the
Republican administration offer the coun-
try the great measures Of development
and progress which the people Of the
South and West 90 earnestly demand.
Possibly the conservative sentiment Of
the South may consent to cooperate with
the Republicans in securing the passage
Of such measures The Southern De-
mocraey is, on principle, opposed to these
measures. They could not have succeed
ed under the administration Of Mr.. Til
den. Possibly with an unobiactionable
organization Of the Republican party at
the South, the public necessity for these
works may reconcile them to the coop
Grafton suggested. II We be mistaken in
tais hope, there viii remain nothing sx-
eept lie sectional division and conflict
outlined BY Senator Morton, and this
must Be succeeded BY the unconditional
and military suhiasalion and occupation
Of the one section By the other. The
nszt presidential election viii be held