Daily Republican., 1878-10-23
A solid south.

districts now in Democratic uands.
A solid South.
The political signs Of the times since
the October elections portand greater
success in the northern states for the
Republicans. II Is altogether likely
that owing 70 the shot gun policy aiop-
ted by the Democrats in the South, that
not single Republican Congressman
will be elected from that section though
IN some of the Congressional districts
there are from 5000 to 5000 and in two
.s much as 1000 Republican majority.
That these large maiorities do cxis,
is well known to all who have given
the subject passing thought, and
We are met with the sneering remark
that ii the Republicans have such large
majorities and allow themselves tO be
bull-dozed away from the polls they
deserve to be defeated. Such senti-
ments come only from preiudicrd and
unscrupuous politicians. Such per.
sons have no desire to SEE fair play, and
they know full well that if the Repuh-
leans of the South We're to attempt to
assert their rights at the polls it would
he met with bloody massacre.
1t must be admitted that the Repub.
lican party of the South is composed
principally of colored p-ople, tut thai
makes no difference in the face of the
amendments to the constitution which
clothes them with the rights and priv
ileges o, citizenship, aud if they are de-
MED this right by a murderols shot
gun policy what ayails the bloody civil
var through which We have passed -
rher- ar. congressional districts III the
south which the colored Republicans
,ould hold but it would be at til. sac
ifc- nf untold numbers Ofhuman lives
they could arm themselves and meet
the rile clubs, gun for gun, y's ten TO
me, and if they desired they rouli
.radicat- the white league organiza
tions in defence Of their rights. Nothing
less than this would enable them to eX d.
rrcise the rights Of citizenship, but
they argue what good would it do
them even if they should in selfdetenc~
xii HUNDREDS OF these shot gun mur-
derersl That would only be the signal
for a general uprising of all the White
League organizations in the South. and
a general and indiScriminate slaughter
Of colored people would b- commenced
and with the hands of the adlninistra.
ton tied, no assistance could be afford
ed. Those thoughtless and We might
say heartless persons who say that the
Republicans in these districts arr COW
ards, because they do not maintain their
lights, full well know the Consequences
hat would follow shoult they attempt
0 do 50. If the Republicans were t.
make half the effort to vote, that the
Democrats make to keep them from vo,-
ng, South Carolin., Mississippi and
Louisiana would be continually dren.h
d in blood. The Republicans know
ng this, rather than to bring Oh such a
nurderOus conflict abstain from voting.
Under the two years policy Of recon
1iliation which i, said 10 have had won.
lerful effect, tn Republicans OF Sumter
south Carolina, few days ago thought
hat they might attempt to hold Re-
publican meeting quirtly and peace
ully, but when they met the: found
themselves confronted with several ri.
le clubs and a company of artillery
present Just to show fair play. Had
hey persisted in holding their meeting
and attempted to maintain that right
By force, the streets of Sumter would
have run red with human blood that
day and general rising of the White
Leagues all over the South would
have followed. Under these circum
stances it is useless to expect the elec-
ton Of a single Republican from the
South.