National Republican., 1878-10-23

involuntary that the writer felt aggrieved
over the fact tl,at the generous South" had
been placed ndcr obligations to Yankee
Soldier.
THE PRE- yPbENr AND THE SOUTH.
The evidences begin to thickcn that the
President has become thoroughly aroused
TO the importance of some action to check
the progress of outlawry and persecution in
the South. This is the first important cleo
ton that has been held in that section since
he entered upon his official duty, and the
first opportunity that has occurred during
his administration to test the temper an1
disposition of the Southern Democrats to-
ward the Constitution, the laws, the Gov
crnment, and the rights Of the people.
While they had it all their own way OF
course all was serene and lovely. The
Southern Republicans were permitted to
live and labor and help to cultivate and
gather crops in perfect peace so long as
there was no opposition to the Democratic
sentiment of that section. Thus far every
thing was pacific. But when the period
for electing members of Congress approach
ed, the elements of politics began to show
signs of activity, and the Republicans gave
evidence that they had surrendered neither
their principles nor their sense of
duty, the scene changed. Red
shirts and rifles were at once brought
forth. The sleeping organizations OF rifle
clubs were aroused to lite and activity, and
they flew to horse with the alacrity Of n
surprised camp of cavalry. The calling of
Republican meeting to discuss the politi-
cal issues of pending campaign was the
signal for muster of armed and mounted
Democrats, who secured the country to
spread terror and intimidation far and wide.
The gathering of Republicans for the rur-
pose of peaceful consultation and discussion
was made the occasion for rally of armed
| Democrats at the same point and at the
same time, to impudently demand division
of time, and to break up the cOnvocation if
that request was refused This policy has
been pursued with great persistence, in
volving outrage xnd even murder, to make
it suCCessful and it has thus far succeeded
in breaking up public Nssemblages of Repdb-
licons in nearly every instance where they
have been attempted.
All the Southern States are more or less
obnoxious to this allegation, but South
Carolina is more conspicuous in that role
than any of the others. Next to South
Carolina come Louisiana and Alabama, but
the spirit of Outlawry infccts others, among
which is Mississippi. That State, while in
spirit it is no doubt equally hostile to the
Republicans and the laws, 1t has been more
prudent and less violent in open demon
stratiOn But there is no concealment OF
the fact that all the late insurgent States
are determined in a purpose to crush out
Republican sentiment, Republican organi-
cation, and Republicans individually aud
collectively, peaceably if that is feast.
bc but iorcibly if needs be, until the
dominant political sentiment of those States
is entirely subordinated to the Democratic
minority. There is one way that this could
have been prevented. Had the Republicans
of those States met force with force, involv
ing n scene of bloodshed, which the Demo
Gratis not only provoked but invited, th'
Republican standard would to-day wave il
triumph over all those States which nov
boast of Democratic prcdominance. Blu
the Republicans of the North, unlik
the Democrats have Counseled peace
and no trouble has come except where i
has been thrust upon the Republicans
through Democratic bull-dozing and out
lawry. II the Republican party had fol
lowed the example of the opposition il
those States and had put arms in the hand
of their Republican brethren there, with tn
: admonitiOn that they should carry til
elections, though it should be throug
: bloodshed and slaughter, it is not diflicul
, to Judge what the consequences would hav
f been. The Democratic party would hay
e found early graves, aud the Republican
would bear rule, AZ the Democrats do now
/ by the force of arms. Such would be til
a posture of affairs there at this time if tn
q gage of contest presented by the Democrat
v had been accepted in n corresponding spiri
!. aud might had been left to settle the que'
= tion of right Now, as ut the close of til
:. war, the Democrats of the South are II
debted to the indulgence of Republicans ft
n any position above that of absolute subje,
- tion to physical power.
Il Under the existing condition of thing
v which has grown out of Republican ellen
q cncy, all eyes are turned toward the Pres
=. dent for an interpostion which shall sccu,
20 every Republican in the South the full ei
a joyment of all the rights that are promise
# him in the Constitution and laws of Il
l. United States. The oppressed and pcrs
= cuted people of the South have appealed
=. the Chief Magistrate of the nutiop, and
has taken steps for their protection tl,roul
the agency of the United States distric
g attorneys and marshnIs Of tho3. State
n Thus far these officers Of the la" have IL
n been able to secure that full protectiC
Il which is due to every citizen under the lay
- hur We find in the Cincinnati GdatHe of Il
y 4lot instant the account Of an interyie
D. with the President, which affords fire.
d assurances from himself that
rs ! He desired it to be understood that he wou