National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-06
sEcrInNAIIsNI.

r1l0rcd RuliCal. aud would, If &c were possible,
I band the North aud West against the South,
| in crush ont the ruling class--thc men Of prop
I eftv sud intelligence in this section. Its
] highest ambition Is % secure solid North
I against the section that Radical excuses aud
I mlsrnvcrsncnt made solid, and keeps solid,
Z Zoe che sole purpose of sclf.protcction aud TO
secure thc ends tp be attained through good
I government. fJucb5urp lirgiHidt
la the above paragraph our cotemporary
is partially right, but more largely wrong
In iis estimate Of our position, feelings, and
wishes politically THE REPUBLICAN is
sialwart In politics, for the reason that it
has an abiding fiith In the conserving
power Of Republican principles in securing
the pcmancnce Of the Government
and its fire. institutions. 1t does
not recognize any neutral ground or half
way house that can he safely occupied be-
tween the contcnding forces, which are di-
vidcd by Union aud disunion; n respect
for the Constitution and the laws and those
who bear little or no fealty 10 either; an
admiration for the Old Flag and those who
rogaui II rs "an emblem of oppression and
trampie 10 In The dust; q defense Of the
equal political rights Of all American citi-
zens and those who osiraoize class on uc-
count of color and political opinion. Under
all snch divisions TnE REPUBLICAN, is
stalwari.' and proposes 10 remain so until
equal protection and cxnct justice can he
awarded 30 every citizen of the United
States without regard to color, birth, or
distinction. Nothing short o. a realization
of all this will ever induce MS 30 change po-
sition aud accept anything else In the gov
eminent Of on the American people. We
believe that the constitutional guarantees
are Cor white md black, rich and poor, eN-
altod aud humble, alike; and that man who
autagouises that belief be he from the
South or thc North, will find no fellowship
with rs, politically. We have no kind
word for such because we regard them ns
enemies 10 the American Republic and the
principle, upon which q Is established.
The lig'HiaH alleges that we "would, if
T cit were possible band the North and West
"agninst the South 10 crush out the ruling
b class So Ear as this applies 10 those who
contcmn The Constitution and the laws who
! defy the authority Of the Government who
pcsecutc osimcizc Danish, and even muir
, der their icllow-citizens for political opin-
G ion sake; who regard the Old Flag rs "au
: emblem of oppression and who believe
4 that state sovereignty is superior 10 that of
n the Federal power we do not plead moi
/ guilty. But when the ''Solid South" puts
. itself in line with the Federal Government
its Constitution aud laws, and respects the
rights of all its citizens alike, we shall
never antagonze its interests or seek to
5 array one section of the country against an
u other. So long, howeyer,as the South occupies
itspTcsent attitude toward the Government
! and the colored and white citizen ofthat Sec
!. ton on account of color or opinion, we
l. shall continue TO invoke union of the
d North and West, as we did TO save the ma.
n n tional life during the rebellion against thai
Is section, until it shall be brought 10 n real
10 izing sense of its duty to the Government
u aud all the governed. If the South woult
,f have respect it must earn il by n becoming
10 regard for the Union, the flag, the laws, ant
the rights of citizenship, and by bowinl
submissvely TO the laws and Governmen
At of the United States without reservation o
~ evasion.
v Our cotemporary denies the soft impeach
Is ment that it seeks an alliance with tn
Y West. VIII it explain its intimation tina
VS. the West and the South, if they choose
A. "can dictate the Government and laws G
Of the country" if it did not seek such n
IL alliance? We have no purpose to misreI
of. resent it in any degree. But to pass o
~ with its criticism. II says:
lo "Treason and rebellion began in the North
'e ern States more than sixty years ago, as ever
oil reader Of our political history well knows
he When, where, and in what shape hay
Vs. "treason and rebellion ever reared the
nd heads in the Northern States to an exten
ic. that cost life or treasure to any extent
e! crush them out? History furnishes no il
. stance where at the North there has bee
i. organized "treason and rebellion" beyon
b. the impulsive action Of riot or mo
e. which readily yielded TO the majesty {
w ;,o the law.
res In referring to the question of subtract
ing the colored population from the Soutl
gn the YiyginidR says the freedmen will hay
est " something to say about that when Il
he " time comes to carry this Radical pr
ay "gramme for cripplng the South into ex
ito cution." No doubt. And they are n
ist ready beginning TO have something to sa
ys- about that The freedmen understan
81 and feel the weight of the oppressive har
ed that the South has laid upon them rs cit
'ct zens and it only requires encouragement
* and aid to lead them to seek
tie more congenial field for their futur
If the people of the South oou
learn n lesson of duty toward the color,
~ race, and conld consent TO their enjoyiI
" ~ peacefully and without interference Il
~ rights guaranteed to them by the Constit
." , ton, then no one would care TO disturb 4
~ existing relations between the whites ~
'oU blacks in that section. But at present the
~ is no evidence of such condition of thin
- =" being reached. The North secured ffeedo
w. and citizenship for the colored man, and
1G will fall short Of its duty if il shall des,
M ~. them now to policy Of oppression mo
~ grievous than slavery itself The rights
", u'' the colOred citizen must be treated with I
~ " same respect South that they arc at {
iu North and West or it is the duty of tho