National Republican., 1879-09-30
SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS.

soblhElSN hEE CILItANS.
Perhaps it is not iudicious to regard Re-
publicans in n sectional light, for it would
seem that n Republican should be Repub-
lican so long as he is true to the faith,
whe ther lie resides in Maine or Louisiana,
in Rh ode Island or Arkansas but those Re-
publicans whose lots are cast in the late
Confederate States seem to be deeply im-
pressed with the belief that they have been
the objects of unjust discrimination in the
distribution of political benefits arising
from Republican success. We apprehend
that there is some ground for such feeling,
and that injustice has been done that branch
of the Republican party. Whether this has
been intended or not, let those who have
had the control of public patronage and the
distinctions Of position make answer TO the
wrongs, If any exist, relating to the South.
1t is matter of history that when every
voter in the South was permitted to exer-
else the right of suffrage without intimida-
tion or restraint, large majority if not all
of the States that rebelled were under local
and general Republican domination. The
South, untramelled by intimidation and
violence, would declare for Republican
principles to-day, aud yet there is scarcely
Republican State left to tell the tale
That there may have been instances in
which Republicans in those States have
been guilty of unwise and perhaps dishon-
est practices, we are not prepared to deny;
but Republican principles and their import
ance to good government remain un-
changed. 1t is for the supremacy of these
principles that the Republican party was
organized, and whenever aud wherever suc-
cess attend them it is an accepted right
that those whohad secured that supremacy
should enjoy the official benefits arising
from success. Local Republican govern
ments in the South have been bull-dozed,
intimidated and murdered out of exist
ence, until every State has come under
Democratic domination through violence
and outrage-not through n change of pub
lie sentiment,
There are a class of men-and some OF
them were in the Confederate service-who
have stood faithfully by the Republican
flag through evil MS well rs good report
These men have endured prescription and
persecution-some of them have been fol-
lowed by ostracism, almost to fOrcible ex-
pulsion from their homes, until they have
become refugees to save their lives They
have endured all that ingenuity could in,
vent and hatred could execute-save the
sacrifice of their lives-and they now ask
of Republican National Administration
such recognition rs will in some degree
save them from the worst consequences oi
the prosecutions they have received Al
their homes, and which have substantially
made them refugees within the boundaries
of the land of their birth. These Southern
Republicans have suffered for the cause
they have espoused rs no Northern ol
Western Republican has suffered They
have been ostracised and expelled from
their homes by rank persecution. They
have lost their property, have been broken
up in their business interests, and have
been driven from their homes for no othel
olfcnsc than that they were Republicans
and could not be tolerated within tn,
| limits of the late Contederacy. This is thei
present estate, and they are unhappy unde
n sense of deep wrong,
| One great cause of disquietude on tn
| part of Southern Republicans arises nov
| from the fact that portion Of the oificia
benefits that attach to the Republican con
| troll Of the National Administration is be
| slowed upon Democrats, and what is worse
upon Confederate Democrats. Every plac
under this National Administration belong
to q Republican, unless it should be def
nitely ascertaned that no Republican ca
be found who is qualified to discharge tn
duties thereof 1t is alleged that the Fed
eral Offices in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas
Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Care
lima, North Carolina, Florida and Yirgni
are bestowed upon Democrats to degre
scarcely to be tolerated, and it is propose
that showing shall be made which wi
fully Justify this allegation. If this fac
shall be established Southern Republican
have Just cause of complaint and their dl,
satisfaction is justfiable Then, again, I'll
allegation is made that the various depar
ments of the Government hold Democrat
in subordinate positions which, under a
sound rules of political policy, belong
Republicans Should such m allegation /
verified the entire Republican party will hay
cause of complaint, so long as it is well VI
derstood by the Democrats themselves tn,
if their party was in power no Republica
would be allowed to hold public postio
under Democratic rule, This has been yer
clearly demonstrated since the Democra
attained to power in Congress, for just {
fast as changes could be made, withol
swamping the public business, Bepublicar
have been removed and Democrats hay
been put in their places-and that, too. a