Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-10
Eyht. Frederick Douglas thinks Of
tic South.

DariDg his speech 10 New York OF Dacora
ton Day, Frederick Douglas, MIR. Hayes COL
cred Marshal Of The District of Columbia, said:
la locking back to this tremendous conflict,
alter coming gcatralions will find much at
which to marvel They will marvel that men
to whom was committed the custody of the
Government, sworn to protect aud defend the
Constitution and the Uoon Of the States, did
cot crush this rebellion 10 lis egg; that they
permitted treason 10 grow up under their very
noses, not only without rebuke or repulse, but
rather with approval, aid. and comfort-vainly
thinkng thus to conciliate the rebels; that
they permitted The RESOURCES Of the Union to
be scattered, and its forts and arsenals to be
taken possession Of without raising voice or
lifting Gagcr 10 prevent the crime. They
will marvel that the men who, with broad
blades and bloody hands, sought to destroy the
Government were the very men who had been
through all its history the most highly favored
by the Government. They will marvel at this
as when a child stab5 the breast that nursed
it into life. They will marvel still moro that,
afser the rebellion was suppressed and treason
put down by the loss Of nearly 100000 men,
and after putting on the nations neck debt
| heavier than mountain OF gold. tho Govern.
mant has so soon been virtually captured by the
party which sought It's destruction. And what
is The attitude OF this sane party to day?
| We all know what it vas in 1860 The al.
Tentative presented to The nation then was, give
us the President, or we will plunge the country
into all the horrors Ct a bloody revolution. The
position OF that party is The Same to- day as then.
The chosen man then was John G. Breckiu.
ridge, of Kentucky. The chosen man of that
party to day is Samuel j. Tildcn. The man to
be kept out OF the Presidential chair by threat
OF revolution was Abraham LiCcolo. The man
TO be driven from the Presidential chair by the
machinery OF political investigation is Ruher-
ford B. Hayes. Now as then, the same re.
bcou5 spirit is much disturbed by the army
and navy. 10 the first instance it was the policy
to scatter, now it is to stalvc. The plotters OF
mischief hato the army. 1t is loyal and true to
the Republic.
This is not, as have already said, a day for
speech; certainly not fer long speeches.
Though the portcnts upon our national horizon
arc dark and sinister; though a somewhat
reckless disregard Ct our national obligations
and national credit arc shown in the words AID
votes of some Of our public men; though tho
temper and maDner Of the plantation which
talk Of honor and esponsbility, are increasingly
manifest in legislative councils Of the nation;
though party strife and personal ambition
somewhat distract the public mind; though ef-
forts are being made tendiog to embroi CAPT.
tai and labor, and to autagonize interests
whoh it is for The good OF each to harmonze;
though freedom OF speech and Of the ballot
have for the present fallen before tho shot guns
of the South and the party of slavery is now 10
the ascendant, we need bate no jot of heart or
hcp,. The American people will, in any great
emergency, be true to themselves. The heart
OF the nalioc is still sound and strong, and as
in the past, so 10 the future, patriotic millions,
with able captains to lead them, will stand as
wall of fire around the Republic, and 10 the
end sec Liberty, Equality, and Justice trum-
/ phant