National Republican., 1877-02-21


Republican party. 1t may not be
inappropriate TO suggest some changes
IN policy, which, in our opinion, should
Characterize the conduct Of the Govern.
ment. 1t will not be denied, we think,
that II the country h ever to bo united In
interest, In sympsthies and in destiny, so
as to be In fact what Il Is In name-l union,
there must he some comprehensive plan
devised which shall divide the sections
smoDg themselves 10 respect Of their rela.
tors to parties, in the same manner they
were In the olden time, when the distinc.
tiops of party knew no section lines, and
each Of the great divisions claimed adher.
cnts in every State. 1t viii not do, IL we
are to expect duration, to have solid
South" and nearly solid North. on ques.
tions agitating the public mind, re.
quiring decision at the polls; for
such state OF things is dsunlon the mo.
ment 1t exists, although the nominal rela.
tion Of union remains.
The war entailed disorder which has
lasted too long, and which must be eradi.
Gated. or the end will be what our enemies
desire and predict. When hostilities ceased,
some of the Southern States were found to
be under the control Of an alien element,
sustained by the votes OF the native meniaI
classes, and the former governing classes
we're excluded from all participation in
public affairs, in part by reason of political
disabilities, a,d in part bya natural dislike
to cooperate as equals with their late
slaves, known by them to be as yet incapa.
bic Of the Intelligent exercise of the privi.
leges Of citizenship. This was an abnor.
NAL condition Of the political body which
could not long continue, and 1t has been
undergoing modification from that day,
until now It's dropping phase is that of ap.
parent dissolution. State after State has
gradually passed from its power, and
where 1t has present recognition,
obedience is coerced. The ever.spring.
ing impulse Of nature has done Its
perfect work, according to the law
of our being, by its silent operation, restor.
ing the service and sympathies of the SO.
cial dependent to the social head, and, by
the same law, subjecting the will of the
former in large degree to the wishes of
the latter. The stimulus of ne ewly attained
liberty, and the plenty of the camp, gave
him inclination and leisure to divert him.
self for time with the bauble of suffrage;
but the trial Of years, alter the physical
support was Withdrawn, induced him to
relinquish the artificial right to vote for the
natural right to live, and to make his peace
with his old master as the highest interest to
be subserved. Satisfied with his personal
liberty, he appears now, as rule, willing to
vote with his former master or refrain from
the exercise Of the right, in return for food
and clothing; and while there has been
much cruelty used in some parts to keep
him from the polls, we are persuaded that
instances Of this kind bear the same pro-
portion to the mass that cruel masters
bore to the multitude of good o.os IN the
do, Or slavery.
The landed proprletors In agricultural
districts, and the capitalists In cities
have 1t in their power to control the
laboring classes to very large extent,
and this has been done In the South
to such degree that the alien element,
which made common cause with the col.
ored people, finds itself abandoned by Its
allies and unable TO maintain its position
without the aid Of the general government.
And whether such aid shall be given, or
whether the State governments so situated
shall be left to the early demise which
awaits them in Its absence, is the para
mount question for the consideration of
the incoming administration. In our view
there is but one course. and that is the one
pointed out by policy and right slike-if
1t can be said that these ever point to
separate courses. Just governments are
always founded upon the will of the peo-
pie, and when that is turned against ex.
isting laws and agencies, they should be
repealed and removed. And If any foreign
or superior power interreres to prevent
such a result the act is oppressive and
dangerous to free government. What is
the will Of the people Is the only question
to be asked, and when 1t is ascertained, 1t
should govern.
There Is no longer anything to hold the
North and So nth apart but everything to
counsel union and harmony. And there
will be no permanent prosperity for the
country until such counsels prevail. Nor
is there any reason why the Republican
party shall not embrace as great and as re-
spectacle proposition of the inhabitants
of the South as the Democratic party.
And We know that when this Is the case
there will be no more in timidation of the