National Republican., 1878-12-21

aud judgment. We have all along con-
tended that the sentiments and wishes Of
the people were TO be more eminently in
huential in the selection Of q standard
bearer for the Republican party in 1880
than at any previous period. The masses
have trusted more TO leaders heretofore than
they will in the ensuing campaign, for the
reason that they feel sensible that the cause
Of human rights and American citizenship
has been somewhat lost sight of,
and that great and grievous wrongs
have been perpetrated under an i'm
munity that cannot be endured. For
this reason we anticipate that tho choice of
a leader will become so apparent through
out the country before the holding of the
Republican National Convention that its
action will be only that of acquiescence in
and confirmation of the popular judgment.
Whether that selection is to be named
among those who have attracted public
attention already, time and opportunity will
determine; but, be the selection what it
may, 1t will be made under circumstances
to insure certain victory. The people
have determined to conserve the Govern
ment and the rights Of citizenship in the
result of the next Presidential election.
THE BLINDNEss OF CONSERVATISM.
The Lynchburg ITrgiaian interposes the
felon's plea of mot guilty to the allega-
tions We have made relating to its conduct
on the question Of Southern outrages upon
the rights Of citizenship. II is but little
more than year since we have had any
knowledge Of the TGginiaR and its peculiar
characteristics of conservatism on the Bour-
bon side, and only judge its character un-
der our almost daily personal observations
during that period If the TI6giaian has
even reproved the Savannah Recorder for its
atrocious comments upon the Presidents
message or has rebuked the lawless depre-
dations of the South upon the rights Of citi-
zenship; or the brutal assassinations and
murders for opinion sake, even in its own
State, as was the case in GOODIES district,
or in South Carolina, Mississippi, or Louis
lana, we have yet to notice it, aud If we
have overlooked any such instance, and the
IirgiHidn will reproduce it we shall take
great pleasure in giving il the full benefit of
that proof in defense of its plea of mot
guilty" We should be glad to respect the
position and conduct of our contemporary,
and would be the last Intentionally to mis-
represent either but with the light we have,
drawn from Somewhat careful pcr,lsal of
its columns for n year, we think our several
allegations fully justified. II we do it in
justice, that fact can be easily established
by reproduction Of its own utterances
that we have overlooked or forgotten.
1t is not very adroit for the lirgiHian to
attempt TO frame screen for itself by
charging that THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN
" is wholly incapable Of doing justice even
= to the chief Of its own party, when lie at
tcmpts 10 he just TO the South, for in this
1t only resorts 10 a subterfuge. We sup
ported and voted for President HAYES, and
while we have not had as much conf
dencc rs himself in the wisdom and benef-
ccncc of his implicit trust in the sincerity
and sense of justice of the Democratic
managers Of the South, prior to the last
elections, we think there is no difference
between us now on that point; and we
know that TnE REPUBLICAN has not
changed its position materially as to the
South and its policy of outlawry, injustice,
aud wrong within the last year. So that
screen which the IiyiHidn has set up for n
hiding place in this controversy is little
too thin " 10 be of service TO its cause or
position.
Our cotcmporary no doubt desires to he
cminently conservative, and we think it
succeeds even to insensibility in some in-
stances, for il should aim to conserve the
Constitution and laws and the rights of
citizenship which they guarantee in every
part OF the country but when the Presi-
dent addresses Congress on this subject and
n tre-eater snarls Mt him therefor and we
rebuke the lire-eater for its insOlencc and
efl'rOntery, and the Iigiaidh characterIzes
our treatment of 1t as "atrocOus," we think
il fails to evince true conservative spirit.
This is what we characterize rs the blind
ness and insensibility of conservatism.