Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-28
From the New York Tribune
The Need of Il Solid South.

4 LETTER FROM WILLIAM LLOYD GARRisoN
GEoRGIA--WHAT "SoLIp" SouTH MrsT
LEAD TO.
To the Editor Of the Tribune:
SIR Among the letters of thanks and
various quarters for a letter OF mine which
recently appeared in the Tribune, declaring
the south to be still essentially dsloyal in
spirit, and cruelty despotic in purpose and
is impcratvcly demanded at the approaching
Presidential election, in order to avert the
most disastrous consequences to the whole
country. is the following from trustworthy
resident in Georgia who holds an official po-
sition under the Federal Government. |
omit his name and place of abode, unwilling
that he should run any risk of maltreatment
for giving this clear and emphatic testimony
for nothing can speak more trumpet
tongued' rs to the awful state of things in
that slavery section than the fact
that every loyal republican at the
South white or black, who ventures to COM
municate to the Northern press the terrible
facts connected with the 'bulldozing' pro-
cess, under his own signature, and with
manly protest, is liable to be brutally out
ragged, even to ''the deep damnation of his
taking off, by shotgun or bowie-knife. In
every such case killing is considered no muir
der; and though multtudes have been slain
in this manner and to this end, no punish
ment has followed. Hence, every witness
summoned by the Congressional investigating
committee to the atrocities that have been
pcrpetrated is under durcss and placed in
imminent peril. Under such circumstances,
not one person in hundred has the courage
to incur such fearful liability. What
savage state of society. Respectfully yours,
WIN. LLOYD GARRISON.
Boston, Jan. 20, 1879.
WIN. LLOYD GARRISON, Esq:
Dear Sir-Allow me to thank you for the
bold, clear and ringing words in which, in a
letter recently published in the New York
Tribune, you give uttcrance to your views as
of the South and express your opinions as to
the best policy for the republican party to
pursue in the coming Presidential struggle.
Every Southern republican must feel the
truth and force of your statements and | re-
greet that a larger number of the men at the
North who mould and direct public opinion
cannot be awakened to a juster understanding
of the present condition of affairs in the
South, and To clearer insight into the pur-
poses and designs Of the Southern leaders.
The South, defeated in war, is neverthe-
less determined to rule the government il
could not destroy; and its leaders-the men
who before the war fought the battles Of
slavery, and later marshaIled the forces of
the Confederacy in the effort to disrupt the
Cnion--hope still to guide the destinies of
the Republic. With this purpose in view.
the South has been made solid by ruthlcsslv
tramplng under foot the most sacred rights
of citizenship. Freedom of speech and of
the press is not tolerated the sanctity of the
ballot-box il not regarded; honest elections
are unknown; and men are ostraciscd ex
lied and murdered on account of their polti-
cal opinions The mission of the republican
party will not be accomplished until these
great wrongs are righted; and upon no plat
form can it more successfully appeal 10 the
support of loyal, liberty loying masses of the
North. than one which recognizes this condi-
ton of affairs and demands its removal.
The next Presidential contest will give rise
70 grave crisis in our National affairs.
Nothing but Solid North opposed TO a Solid
south will be able to avert what may prove
the most serious shock to our free institu-
tions which they have yet had to sustain. In
the event that the democracy carry Just
enough states at the North to insure them.
WIN SOLID South, a small majority of votes
~ tne Electoral college, the people of the
country will be confronted with the question
rs to whether organized murder and fraud
are TO be permitted to be triumphant in the
Aauon, and whether the North is to he des
poiied OF the fruits Of a victory TO which she