The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-07-03
THE REAL ISSUE BETWEEN DEMO
Gratis AND REPUBLICANS.

THE REAL ISSUE BETWEEN DEMO
GRATIS AND REPUBLICANS.
1t is quite clear that the nomination
of Garfield by the Republicans is in
tended to draw the old Mason and
Dixon's line between the North and
South again-tifteen years after the
universally acknowledged destruction
of the institution which originally
caused it to be drawn-fifteen years
after any real or imaginary necessity
for its existence. The reputation of
Grant by the Chicago Convention, the
man who was known to be universally
popular with all classes of Republicans
(save the of1ice-holders) in the South,
and who was supposed to be able to
carry three or four Southern States,
was an insolent slap in the face of the
entire Southern Republican party. 1t
was as much as to say to them 4" we
don't want you've can get along bet
ter without you 1t suits our interests
to drive you into the Democratic par
ty. We want to help make the South
solid,' because it will give lis Il
chance to make the North solid against
that section"
This is undoubtedly the true inter
probation of the spirit which inspired
the nomination of Garfield. No Won
der it fell upon the Republicans of the
South like wet blanket! No wonder
that col0red men evince II total indif-
ference to the ticket. They consider
themselves defeated already, and they
are right. They had no more voice in
making the nomination at Chicago
than they had in Cincinnati. This is
contest in which the managing Re-
publicans virtually ignore them.
Sagacious Republicans all over the
Union felt that a great mistake had
been committed at Chicago, and the
only hope of retrieving their lost
ground was based on their conviction
that the Democrats would make a
greater b,under. They hoped and be-
lieved that the Democratic Convention
would insist on the nomination of Til
den, and thus encounter a fat Il divis-
ion in their own ranks in New York
and the South. They felt confident if
Tilden missed the nomination, then
the Convention would name Mr.. Bay
ard, and thus present what they
ycarned for) the color of appearing to
be willing to except their chosen issue
of the North against the South. Here
again the Cincinnati Convention re-
fused to play into their hands.
Now what is the hope of the Re-
publican party? Having rudely
kicked out all their Southern element
of STRENGTHENING failed signally to
produce divisions in any section Of the
Dcmocracy-having provoked no ac-
ceptance of their sectional issue-how
do they expect to win?
We answer that the thinking men
of that party don't expect to win,
unless the Southern people by ill-ad-
vised and imprudent excesses i'll the
progress of the canvass, give nutri-
ment to the expiring flames ofsectional
luminosity. AS the case stands to-day
there is nothing whatever for the
bloody shirt to feed on. There is no
possible chance for that red garment
to maintain healthy living existence
in the absence of food. 1t is now
starving to death. And let it starve
says the South. Our Democratic Con-
gress has given it nothing to eat. Our
Southern State Administrations since
they fell into Democratic hands have
brought about marked aud palpable
in the condition of the
people which is universally apparent,
this vampire to fatten on. Our
National Democratic Convention went
with its patriotic work, intent
only on the redemption and saliva
ton of the country, and never for
thought of the necessity of
doing something specially foolish and
mean in order to supply aliment for
5he hungry bloody shirt.
Our opinion is that the chosen issue
If the Republicans will fall fiat before
he Northern people. Southern peo-
Die are not the fools to rush to their
'escue and fOrtify their forlorn posi- i
ION. There is a growing sentiment I
If nationalism in all parts of the Union I
IL WEAKNESS over this eternal bicker
ng between the sections-a yearning
or final and satisfactory settlement
nd there is renewing of health and
igor in the growth Of this sentiment. :
t promises safety to the country, and /
and happiness to the people. /
his sentiment is represented by Gen. i
Hancock and the party at his back. i
he opposite sentiment is represented
y Garfield and the party that nomi- l
Iated him. Can any man, who has
he good of the whole country at heart,
ESTATE which he will choose?