Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-03-20

Across the Potomac.

A newspaper published somewhere in
Mississippi Is almost frantic with delight
that "the Confederacy has az last captured
the Capitol" Yes, thank God" ex-
claims the pious fire eater. I'VE have capt
ured the Capitol, and in 1850 cur man will
walk up the White House steps and take
his seat In the Presidential chair. Then
will our glorious triumph be complete.
Then will We proceed TO tear your amend
ments from the Constitution aud trample
them 10 the mire Then will we break the
shackles you have forged for the tree, SOW
ereign and independent commonwealth OF
right of secession-a right that is not dead,
but sleeping. Then will we decorate the
Capitol with the pictures OF Davis, aud
Lee. and Stuart. and all the glorious leaders
OF a cause that is not lost, bat living still.
Yes, thank God. we have captured the
Capitol, and from that coigne of vantage
we propose TO rule the Republic In way
that will make your Radical laws and your
RADICAL ltkutfs lOfcNtf III
lea This sounds rather wild; and the
gentleman who is screaming Is probably a
person OF no individual consequence, as
his paper is certainly not al organ OF com
msnding importance. Yet the most ex.
rrayagant outcries OF the Southern press
are not without their significance. The
literary swashbuckler who dis himself
with gunpowder ard new whiskey. and
laws rawhide on the table before him
when he begins 10 demolish the Radical
party and defend the sacred rights Of the
South, Is not an awe-inspiring figure; but
he does very often express the sentiments
of his neighborhood, and forecast the pol
icy OF his party.
There is not much doubt al any rate that
the ruling passion Of The South at present
is to trample the Constitutional Amend
ments in the mire-which, indeed. has al
ready been done in most of the recon-
structed Ststes-and TO sweep away oil the
..Radicai laws by which the Republican
party attempted 70 secure the results OF
the war when the rebel States were al
lowed 10 return 10 their old places 10 the
Union. Equal rights, tree suffrage, fair
vote, an honest count, protection for the
weak and ignorant. were the only demands
which we made OF the defeated party st the
end Of the contest, and it wss TO guarantee
these things that the Amendments and the
Radical laws were enacted, While the
Republican party held an undlsputed ma
iority In the country. ne were assured that
the South accepted everything 10 good
faith. The Lost Cause Vas lost forever.
The doctrine Of equality was no more 70
be denied either In practice or 10 theory
The Amendments uere recognized without
demur. The lass passed in accordance
with them we're not TO be disturbed. Moth
ing could have been more satisfactory than
the behavior Of the Confederates so long q.
they were out of power, with no immediate
prospects OF getting in. They were so pro
fuse ta promises and protestations thai
they slasost seemed to be more deepl,
attached 70 the Union than the soldier,
who fought fo1 IL.
With the first siga Of possible return oi
the Democratic party TO power all thee
pleasant pretences are suddenly absn.
doned Tne spirit OF secession, nullifies-
ton and rebellion flames up as hot a. il
was in ls6O. The Lost CsRse Is again a
cause to be fought for. The Northern
Radical is an enemy to be cursed with
great sounding oaths- The Southern white
Radical is an .incendiary" to be driven
our of the country. The niger is to be
taught his place. And Radical laws aBd
Radical amendments to the Constitution,
with all other devices Of oppression are
70 be promptly trodden in the 0,ire. There
il nothing like sudden prosperity to lest a
mans character. A CLEAN OF good forlHas
works An instantaneous change 10 our rec
ouciied brother. Last year he WAS the
most cordial ssd genteei OF human beings
to-day he ID - tgueulenf ~ II he still owned
niggera
But this is NOT the first time that the Con.
federates have boasfed Of the conquest Of
the Capitol before taking it, They may re-
meober previous occasions % which they
crossed the Potomac: we have no 6optt
that they Aseo remember he circumstance
under which they vent back gain. b.
fore their s'glorjoss triumph is complete
they will have 10 reckon vifh The same
party which met theN u ADtietsm sud
Getty sbnrG.