The Republican journal., 1878-12-05
A Question of Policy as Well as Prin-
chile

| C1ple.
The problems which the war of the re-
| bellion gave rise to-many and threaten
ing as they ought to have been
solved in the thirteen years that have
elapsed since the remnant Of the Confcd-
| crate army grounded its arms in Virginia.
| The country was then brought face to
! face with a new and to this people a
| strange condition of a1airs-a condition
! quite as distaStctul to the great mass OF
the northern Democracy, who had taken
no part in the war, as to the Contcderates
| who had marshalled for the battle field.
/ But like wise and prudent men they ac-
4 cepted the inevitable, and set to work at
| the task of restoration, not only of de
/ stroyed homes, but of society, and the
shattered fabric of government itself
Parties north and south were and are
/ pledged to these acceptances and obser
vances pledges which imply that the
| past Shall he forgotten, and that the
future shall he looked to with courage
and hope.
1t is alleged that mistakes were made
in the processes of bringing order out of
chaos that the enfranchlscment of the
ignorant freedmen without a standard of
intelligence as prerequisite thereto,
made them the tools of designing and
dangerous men. There was and is force
in this. But there is a compensation to
the south in no small degree in the fact
that the amended constitution gives to
that section increased representation in
Congress. and added power in the electo-
raj college, which 60 hand in hand with
Embarrassment And whether this be
regarded as Objectionable or otherwise.
the provisions of constitution and stat
ute which sanction them cannot now be
changed, but must stand and be accepted
The south and the whole country had
lust reason to complain of the carpet bag
governments, supported by military force.
They were simply disgracefn. 1t is cred
liable 70 large portion of the Republi-
can party and its presses that they re-
monstratcd against the men and measures
that rose into power through this means.
and that they predicted disaster to the
party and the country, if new policy
should not prevail
The administration Of President Hayes.
10y Withdrawing the army Us a political
agent, and suhordnating it strictly 10
civil authority, put an end to the abuses
OF the character we mention. There had
been given previously the strongest as
Surance from prominent southern men,
and particularly from Coy. Wade Hamp-
ton, OF South Carolina, that nothing in
the nature of outrage or oppression Of
colored people should be tolerated Or
countcnanced. But late reports from
that section. reports which appear to be
authentic, indicate that the men of the
south who gave the assurances mention
ed, are unable to make good their
pledges. We credit them with the in-
tention to act fairly but the turbulent
element there IS too much for their pow
or influence to overcome. The accounts
Of force, fraud and ballot box stufllns in
South Carolina and other states ought to
be thoroughly investigated, aud some
means found for insurIng free and far
elections
The Presidential contest of $50 is ap-
preaching rapidly. There are many prom
nent men in the south who see. as near
i everybody elsewhere does, that the
victory in that contest is certain 70 fall TO
the party which, regrctting the mistakes
OF the past, that cannot be recalled, shall
resplutely labor 10 make the lchoL coun-
r.. morally ana materially better. in
broad spirit Of philanthropy which shall
overlook neither race, color nor condition:
but which shall give the ignorant and
humble At least equal opportunities with
the educated and capable The party
that shall ...I. +, I,,.i,,,, mt, +b,+ ,,,,+,.
- ~ ms ''i'' ''i''' NoH'o''
either fraud or firearms, Will fare hard
h.fnr. ~. .-,.,+ t,ilr,,I f ~ .l,
Ni'' 7''"' 'lio''I"i VI 'u' PcolIc'
In this connection, that sound independ-
n.,.,..,.,;., .., ~.
'i' 'cii'' '"lio P"Pti' thc boston IltI-
AID has some excellent SUGGESTIONS We
copy tllcHl btIoN
Tile north is growing much faster than the south
The electoral college Is nov composed of 35l mem
ocrs from the north Aud l;ss from the south Tn
der the new apportionmeut. winch viii be made
Oh the census Of $50 the north will lie nearly ii
hot Quite twice rs strong as the south III the tlec
tur4l college, uder these circumstances is not
foolish tor the south to pursue a co0r,. which
teuGs 10 array a solid north against A sohd south
And Is it not equally foolish for the Democratic
party, which extend. through north ana south 10
wink at a policy which is as sure to drive it ont of
power in the north As water is to run down hilIf
The more progressive Of the southern statesmen
j., II ,t,,,,r- I'LL; III. ,.,,