The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-04-29
The Democratic Programme.

tue DtuiOCThtiC ITOHTuHiine.
The systematically unscrupulous ei-
/ forts TO make the South ''solid" for the
Democracy have not regarded that OPP
/ pressive accomplishment as an end,
but merely as the means TO an end. II
I was but one step In series OF ascend
ing advances toward an ultimate OBJ
| ject--the Furnishing Of the North for
whipping the South back into the Un-
ion, and the reimbursement OF all the
pecuniary losses sustained in the South
by the war. This theory affords con-
sistent explanation OF every act done,
and OF every threat made, with politi-
cal design, in the South since the close
OF the rebellion. Let us enumerate,
then, the various schemes which np.
pear TO make up the Democratic pro-
gramme:
l. The repeal OF the election laws
which secure the ballot-boK against
/ the practice Of Wholesale frauds, so
that corruption and force may have IN
restrainable scope in the Presidential
contest Of 1890.
.. The choice Of Democratic Pres
ident next year, with confirmation and
enlargement OF Democratic power in
the House OF Representatives and the
Senate, giving every department Of the
/ government into the hands OF the
Bourbon Democracy.
3. The notification of the constitu-
/ tional amendments, either by decisions
OF a reorgsnized Supreme Court or else
1 by reconsidering and Withdrawing the
action of three-fourths Of the State
I Legislatures.
4. The abolition Of the political fran.
chise now accorded 10 the colored peo-
/ pie in State constitutions and State
laws throughout the South, and the
practical reinstatement Of the rece
under the operation OF n degraded po-
liticRl condition, falsely dignified with
the name Of freedom.
.. The repayment of the cotton tax,
/ with interest 10 date, out Of the public
treasury. or by using the national cred
il 70 Issue bonds TO be applied to the
same purpose.
6. The reimbursement OF the former
owners for the loss OF their slaves by
/ emancipation, for which purpose an ac-
curate and thorough record Of proofs
Of title has long been made for preser-
yation against the day OF fruition.
Z. The liquidation, az national cost,
Of the great mass Of Southern claims
arising out Of the war.
&. The granting OF a pension to every
Confederate soldier, or 10 his heirs,
who would have been entitled TO pen
sion had he served, instead, in the Tn.
ion armies.
Q. The assumption OF the rebel war
debt, both State and Confederate, by
the general Government, 10 be proyid.
I ed for by new issue Of national bonds,
for which purposes the evidences OF
the Southern indebtedness have been
carefully preserved.
10. The reorganization and increase
OF the army, 80 as 10 place II complete
ly under control OF the Southern off,
GERS, with q view 10 efficient nee in con-
templated emergencies.
IL. The appropriation Of large sums
OF money for the Mississippi levees,
for Southern harbors, and generally
for internal improvements throughout
the South, for the benefit OF that sec.
ton 10 the neglect OF the North.
We do not presume TO name these
purposes ia the order Of their intend.
ed accomplishments; but the circum.
stances and threats OF both past and
present, with the movements ia gesta.
tion, cast an appearance Of much prob
ability upon the programme we have
outlined. Every successive develop
ment seems 30 he tending toward the
designated end. The avowal that the
South intended TO get even" With the
North has long been common among
the speakers aud writer's Of the South.
Ben Hill has said in Atlanta that the
next rebels would be in the North. He
knew that the finding OF "the lost
cause, and its rehabilitation under the
ngls Of the national colors, perhaps
then Transformed from the "stars and
stripes" into the "stars aud bars"
would be exceedingly exasperating,
and even uncomfortable by the people Of
this section. A reorganized army, un-
der Southern control, would be handy
instrument to employ in quslling any
active spirit Of discomfort.
II even n hundredth part OF the
above programme be the designs OF the
Southern Democracy, il behooves the
President and the Republicans in Con-
gress 30 reject all compromises about
legislation on the election laws, and 10
stand with Jacksonian frmness and
patriotism, an uDbroken and unfinch.
ing unit Of opposition 10 concession OF
any kind. The loyal sentiment Of the
country will support with 2ealous una.
nimity such an attitude OF steadiast.
ness on the part Of the public servants.
Not the breadth Of hair should be
yielded.