National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-11
NEwLy-DIsoovERED BLOODY SHIRT.

Whatever differences we may may nave
had with GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, the
editor of Hdrper's Weekly, on account ofany
divergence from straight line in politics
under his civil-service dogmas and advocacy
of the anti-bloody-shirt Southern policy,
heretofore, they are all condoned by his
sudden conversion to the bloody shirt :"
now. Harper'S Weekly for August 10, which
has already reached us in advance Of its
date, contains leading editorial under the
attractive title of "The Bloody Shirt"
which should receive warm commendation
and hearty response from the most stalwart
of the Stalwarts. This editorial starts out
with the statement that while the Republic
can speeches and platforms uttered this
summer are notable for their strong state
ment of the sectional question, and are
greatly to be regretted, no fair man will say
that the responsibility rests with the Re-
publican party. It contends that for this
"the Democrats are exclusively responsible"
The suppression of the colored vote in the
South and the tone in which those who
suppress it demand State rights, are alone
responsible for the unfurling of "the bloody
Shirt rs an emblem in politics, for that is a
wrong, Harper's Weekly says, (which the
Intelligent North will not tolerate" 1t
| contends further, that "the sectional ques-
"tion is kept alive by the Democratic treat
"ment of equal citizens in the Southern
Estates, not by the Republican protest
against it, and to reproach the Republicans
because of that protest with shaking the
"'bloody shirt is to reproach them for main
"taining the fundamental principle of the
| Government, free and fair elections"
Hdrper's Weekly then refers to the South
ern cry of State Rights, under which the
suppression of individual right is made GER
tain, and thinks this fact should arouse ap'
prehension. II says in the States W her,
this wrong is perpetrated there is no re
dress. These crimes against the Southern
citizen have never been indicted and pun
ished and yet the oppressed and wronget
people of the South have never attempted
to take the laws into their own hands, il
order TO vindicate right against tn ese wrongs
1t insists that when those who are respon
"sible for these wrongs raise the cry o
Estate Rights, their demand means only
"greater impunity in criminally seizinl
political power" 1t is peculiarly crafty
ing to notice that the Weekly has been abb
to see so distinctly through its Southeri
policy glasses and discover, even at this
late day, the great wrong and danger tina
have menaced the Republicans Of the Soutl
for nearly two years. "Better late than never
is homely, but philosophic maxim, tina
has force in this case. 1t now says, will
Anglo-Saxon emphasis, to the South, which
has robbed the citizen of his rights ant
stolen seats in Congress through such
policy:
Now, if exposing and opposing this fl n
grant fofcble and confessed attempt q
usurpation is shaking the Bloody-Shirt
the Bloody-Shirt has become the banne
"of American liberty, and he who does no
wave it is a contemplate coward"
We rather like this style of expression
for it seems to mean something beyond
: meek submission to the insolence, wrong
aud outrages that are heaped upon freemel
) In the name of Home Rule and Stat
S Rights This is true Stalwart doctrine.
3 is the profession of such political faith this
r makes Republican stalwart and it Is onl
by such faith and the waving of the Wee
: ly's Bloody-Shirt that these wrongs ca
: ever be righted and the life of the Republ
, insured. We extend the hand of FELLOWSHIP
: to Harper'S Weekly over the waving folds
its Bloody-Shirt.