Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-29
The Southern Question.

The Southern Question looms up again
in large proportions. 1t will not keep
out Of sight or mind until ii is settled on
the basis of Justice. The people of this
country will not submit forever to have
State after State carried by the bulldozer.
Northern men are drawing nearer togeth-
er in sentiment against this great wrong,
in like manner as they gradually came to
see alike before the election of Lincoln,
on the slavery question. Mr.. Evarts well
said $50 long as there remains this dis
cord in the harmony of our restored ale
glance. SO long the republican party will
have duties which it will not hesitate to
perform" In speech made at STAFFORD,
N. H.. on the 10Th, Hon. VIM. f., Chan
dler spoke as follows: y.
From South Carolina, even while we are here
assembled, comes the information that the 80 00C
republican majority is to he broken down, and the
rebel butcher, Wade Hampton, elected governor
rs he was in 1876, by murder and bv outrage.
committed by armed and drunken democrats
The Charleston News and Courier of September
7, says: "We want no other plan of csnpsign
than that Of 1876, but that plan must be carried
out not only In the State as State. but in every
election precinct in the State" The plan is the
Mississippi PLAN" which means intimidation,
violence and mnr'ier, and the mounted rife clubs
ere to be the chief methods of electoneering.
Imagine this republican meeting TO be treated
as similar gatherings In South Carolina now
are. Suppose two or three hundred democratic
bullies, mounted and armed, had paraded the
streess Of Strstford. drinking. yelling and firing
on their guns, and had then invaded this hall
exhibiting their guns and pistols, uttering deadly
threst, demanding for their speakers half the
time Of the meeting, and desgnedly by violence
preventing all free utterance by the republicans.
We know the effect of such proceedings in South
Carolina, but, thank Heaven, it would be differ
ent In free New HAMPSHIRE. There would be no
dissolution Of this meeting, nor would there be
any peaceful discussion, such as we have had of
the subjects Of currency and finance. A question
of greater moment than thu. OF money and its
uses" battle for "man and his liberty for
freedom of speech" and "full. free, and open
political action" would arise and be fought out to
q successful issue, because every patriotic citizen
would feel that an assault had been made upon
vital principle of the Republic which must be
resisted and overcome at once at any sacrifice
Ii no single instance of such suppression of free
dom Of speech would be submitted to, in even the
strongest democratic township in the North, can
the nation be Indifferent when such suppression is
universe in six Southern States of the Union 7
Republican governments do not exist there; the
vital, fundamental principle on which this great
republic is founded is constantly, systemat-
icaliy, designedly condemned and trsmpled under
foot; sud colored people, white republicans, ma
tive Southernefs and Northern emigrants, are in.
suited, inundated and murdered in violation OF
Federal law, and in defiance OF the solemn pledges
of the republican party that there shall he secured
TO every American citizen complete liberty and
exact equality in the exercise Of all civil, political
and public rights" and to this end there shall be
80 Congress and Chief Executive whose courage
and fidelity 10 these duties shall not falter until
these results are placed beyond dispute or recall
Fellow republicans, these things shall not much
longer be. Stand by the republican party, and
when it has fulfilled its evident but lesser duty Of
making every paper dollar in the country worth
dollar in gold and silver II will again, in spite O
heartess sneers, take up its burden, however disa
agreeable or heavy ii may be, of maintaining and
enforcing human rig hts and free politics all owe,
the nation. Already the incubus that for more
than a year has weighed like q nightmare upot
the republican brain and heart and conscience II
lifted. No more is Wade Hampton proc aimed a,
great, good and patriotic man, but be agair
stands forth a. the PEI 6dious, bloody butcher tina
tne hfPh-tobed, chivarous Sou herner is 80 apt T.
show himself when republican victory over him i
Imminent Nc more are unrepen'ant rebels tolC
that they are be respected for their treason Il
the Union and their war NJ on the flag, and to bs
amnestied and discharged from Indictment and
trial Tor political murders of our brother republ
cans. Hencefoftb they are to be told thai tho,
are to obey law or n be punished for their DISC
bedience: and in 1880 republican victory will h,
again achieved under leader who will not onlx
proclaim the dangers Of "soli South and yeh,
rule" but whose election will surely secure
universal liberty, free speech and ponica
sctiop. snd unintmidaici suffrage everywhere uu
der the flag OF the Union Thus aud thus On II,
can the republic be saved from dangers worse tina
battles, And he made DeFppfual