The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-11-13
The Programme Of the kePuDii
can Leaders Z neha nged.

delphia speech. We have preceded
its publication with the speeches
of Senator Conkling and Secreta-
~ Sherman. This trio constitute
the leadership-the brains and gov
erning element = of the Republican
party. They are all men of ability who
govern with aHtocratic will the constitu-
ents they severally represent, and their
word is Republican gospel all over the
Union. No man can study these
speeches and become soothed with the
fiattering Junction that the Republican
leaders intend to permit the sectional
issues that have so'long vexed the coun
try, to be at rest. Their authors know
that the party, of which they are the
acknowledged opponents, grew out of
sectional animosity--that it was rocked
in the cradle OF sectionaIism; was fed
upon it-and that its own life depends
wholly upon keeping it alive.
There are several noteworthy features
in the speech of the Maine Senator.
One is the bitterness with which the fact
is dwelt upon that the suffrage conferred
upon the lately emancipated race in the
South with the design of humiliating
the whites by subjecting them to the rule
of their former slaves, and of increasing
the power Of the Radical party, was an
invention which has returned to torture
/ It's authors. 1t is now seen that the col
ored vote has added immensely to the
strength of the South IN Congress and
the Electoral Colleges; and in proper
ton to its numbers it had counterbal
anced the Republican vote Of the North.
This fact is dwelt upon by Senator
Blaine, and is attributed to anything but
the true cause. As information of the
responsibilities Of self government and the
obligation it imposed, has increased
among the cOIored voters, they have be-
come convinced that the Democratic
party is the one to which they should
adhere; that the Republican is party
OF false promises, of privileged classes
at the expense of the poor, and of IN
ceasing strife between the races. With
msgivings and suspicion they have tried
Democratic rule in the South and found
that it affords peace, protection and
safety to all men of every race and
cline, rich and poor, high and low. To
this cause is attributable the fact that
the colored sufragan is no longer
voting machine for the leaders of the
Republican party.
For partisan purposes these leaders
attribute the remarkable change in
Southern politics to violence and intim
midation; but they know as we'll as we
DO that these facts are drawn from their
imagination. 1t was an idle hope which
they INDUCED that the Southern whites
in their disappointment at the turn of
affairs would continue to repel the negro
vote; but they little understood the
strong current of practical sense that
underlaid the surface of passion which
dubbed and passed away with the events
that produced it. A factor so important
in deciding the struggle Of the South for
potent voice in the councils of the
Union and recognition of her rights, was
not alwys to be rejected. Some of US
grasped the idea in advance of others,
but it was not long before it became as
clear as the sun at MONDAY to all. The
negro vote gave to the Democratic Presi-
Dental candidates the victory out of which
they were cheated in 1876; and it has Sc
cured a majority in the lower branch of the
10th Congress. Mr.. Blaine says this vote
is controlled by violent measures; and
he cited Missississippi as a case in point
The reference was unfortunate. Missis-
sippi has returned a solid delegation of
of regular Democratic nominees to the
House of Representatives; and there
never has been in any State, North or
South, e more quiet aud peaceful election.
We will await future events to decide
what is meant by the remark of Mr..
Blaine that the Republicans twill be
compelled in the end, from self-interest
and selt-protection, to resort to that which
at the outset we (the Republicans should
have resorted to from principle" When
the vindictive legislation of the past was
adoDted the South was wifhout q voica
in the federal government. Her States
are in the Union now, however, to stay,
and they have the satisfaction of know
ing that they viii have to be consulted
in whatever legislation may be attempt
ed. The powerful inspiration of ''self
interest and self-protection" will not oper-
ate entirely ON one side in this contest