National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-04-08
A FIRE-EArEvs CHALLENGE.

Mr.. BLACKBURN, who has been chaiac-
torized as the rhetorical flambeau of Ken
tucly and who may be regarded as the
boss fire.eater Of the South in Congress at
the present time, has had his say, aud he
spoke up loud aud plain like little man.
lie made the following distinct, unequivo-
cal, and defiant proclamation of the pur-
poses of the South in recent speech on the
floor of Congress, which is attracting much
attention throughout the North and is ex-
citing some alarm among Northern Demo-
Gratis. He said: I'VE do not intend 10 stop
uatH zee hare stricken The last reStige Of your
trdr measures fom The statute book" And
this prouunciamento is made in behalf of
the Democratic party and by authority. 1t
gives notice of intention, and in terms not
to be mistaken. The Confederate briga-
diers, of whom BLACKBURN Is chief have
determined to strike from the statute book
the last vestige of the war measures that
attended the rebellion and became in
cidents OF that bloody attempt TO
destroy the Union, overturn the Constitu-
AlOh' NllNl ttAl NlON IL lllt VI wv
United States. He admits of no exceptions
The whole must CO. for the Coniederates
have decreed it, and give notice that they
will not stop until the work is fully accom-
plished.
Among the war measures that followed
after we had mustered our army and put il
in the field to crush the rebellion, was the
proclamation of freedom which struck the
shackles of slavery from four millions OF
our people. Then followed the thirteenth,
fourteenth aud fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution, and the laws for theil
proper enforcement. All these We're wa,
measures then, and are so regarded now
The laws intended to protect all citizens ii
their right of suffrage in all the States o
the sustained Union were also regarded
as war measures, and now come
under the ban and maledictior
of this stalwart Confederate brigadier who
becomes chief trumpeter for the rebel hosts
and who proclaims that the last vestige o
them are to be wiped from the statute bool
of the nation by the ruthless hands tina
would have wiped the Union out of exist
ence if they had had the powG~
This proclamation of traitors and rebel
now should convince the loyal people o
these United States that the war did no
end with the surrender at Appomattox
That event was only lull in the storm, tha
it might, under a temporary rest, gathe
| Ct ,oil fnr Trng1, ftr in, ntnihnr mud N
less offensive and mischievous direction
Step by step, under the clemency of TIL
YictOrs in the struggle on the field, thes
enemies of the Union, these traitors to tn
Constitution, these rebels in arms, hav
steadily plotted to render the fruits of the wa
worthless to the country, and of no avail
its future peace, unity, and prosperity. The
now fancy that theiradvantage is so secure
established that they can tear the Con
stitution in pieces; strip the laws for its ell
forccment from the statute book reman
four millions of people to slavery strip I'll
citizen of his rights, and subjugate I'll
nation and its Government TO the evil in
tents of its worst enemies. This is til
avowed purpose of Mr.. BLACKBURN, wi
forfeited his life by n treason that shoul
neverhave been forgiven under any condor
ment, save that which is provided for tre
son under the laws Of the country. III
issue is now presented. The gauntlet
thrown at the feet of loyalty, and it woul
be sheer cowardice not to lift it and accel
the issue with the same determination to d
fcnd the Constitution and the laws from vi
lation that attended the loyalists in IL
+ dark days of the rebellion.