The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-10-28
SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS.
Why ALI Men With Any Character to
Lose Among Them viii Vote and
Work for Hancock.
How the Policy of the Republican
Party Drove the Most Decent
of Its Southern Members
From Its Ranks.

At conference of prominent Southern
Republicans, held in New York last
week, the following address, indicative
Of the feeling among the class of men
who stood by the Republican party in
the South as long as they considered it
sntitled to support, and in the face of
popular opposition, was prepared and
directed to be issued:
The undersigned, having earnestly supported
the Republican party in carrying out the prln-
ciples of the reconstruction measures of Con-
gress in the Southern States, feel constrained
oy the present situation IN public affairs TO
state some Of the grounds npon which change
in the party character Of the national admins
tration is demanded.
The reconstruction measures were precipitat-
ed upon the South in time of great public ex-
element. They wero to subvert ideas, habits,
and conditions fixed by the usage and expert
ence of generations. This was to be done at a
time and under circumstances well calculated
to produce most serious apprehension. The
acknowledgements of the principal property
holders, coupled with the enfranchisement of
the whole body of former slaves, to be put into
operation in the midst of a disrupted condition
of Government, alarmed the most thoughtful
and patriotic citizens. Thoughtful men had
tested steps in the adjustment of matters SO
vital to the peace and equilibrium of society.
But the alarm and opposition were greatly in
creased by the disgraceful and reckless conduct
OF many Of the persons intrusted with the exc
cution of this new order of things. This con-
duct inhamed prejudices and provoked con-
ticts. Instead of discountenancing the mis-
conduct Of these persons by its restraining at
tention, the national administration has contin-
ually extended to them special countenance and
favor, and has repressed the exertions of the
more worthy and judicious supporters of re-
construction. We deem it sufficient simply to
state the facts, without indulging in any
warmth OF expression or referring In detail
either to the repeated acts or to the general
spirit and policy by which the the present and
preceding administrations have made the man.
agement of reconstruction a curse to the col
cred race as well as to the white people of the
Southern States.
But the first apprehension in relation to the
immediate execution of the principles of the re-
construction measures has been greatly relieved
by time and the test of experience. The dis
franchisement feature having been removed,
there is now general acquiescence in the prin-
ciples involved. as indeed nothing more than
the fundamental ideas of the American system
of government. But the recollection of unre-
strained abuses still remains, and there is still
deep-grounded apprehension that such abuses
may at any time be repeated in their worst form
as long as the national administration continues
in the hands of the Republican party.
We are satisfied from personal knowledge de-
rived from observation and from participation
in the reconstruction policy, that change in
the party character of the national administra-
ton is now the surest and best means of plac-
ing reconstruction upon safe and peaceful
basis, and of at once uniting the country in mu-
tual confidence and kindly relationship. And,
as this should be the first and leading purpose
of the American people in the pending Presi-
dental election, we believe it ought to override
tool 10 and Onfn dor rafi
To elect Republican President at this time
by sectional vote would be public calamity
Of the gravest character. Itwould unquestion-
ably set back the growing sentiment of nation
atty and unity which Just and enlightened
policy in the management Of reconstruction
would long since have permanently secured.
While wishing to avoid as far as possible any
matter appealing to feeling rather than sober
reason, we cannot well omit aluding to the
fact that the Republican party has made its
present campaign direct attack upon the
South by seeking to revive against it the dis
trusts and hostile feelings engendered by the
war. We cannot be unmindful that this is be-
ing done for the purpose of securing party
triumph which is to install such distrust and
hostility in complete control of the national ad-
mlnistration. It is natural and reasonable that
the Southern people, so threatened, should
unite in resisting, by their votes, the consum-
nation of such purpose; and that they should
appeal to the thoughtful and just men in the
North for protection and support.
We are unable to see in any existing condi-
tons reason why such protection should not
be extended. Slavery no longer exists, SO there
is absolutely no sentiment in the South that
would favor its restoration, and scarcely any
that regrets its destruction. The Union has been
reconstructed upon the basis of freedom and
political equality, and there is no element in the
South that would attempt to have it otherwise.
The sentiment has become practically universal
among the Southern people that the Union is
best security to their liberties and the surest the
guarantee of their future prosperity and happi
ness. But they would not conceal their dread
of evil from the organization into poltica
party Of all who are unfriendly to them, for the
purpose of controlling the common Government
to their oppression and injury.
We have sincerely regretted the failure of th,
Republican leaders to recognize the true stu
alton of the Southern States Their mistakes
and wrongful conduct, in the execution Of tn,
Reconstruction acts, have caused us to despair
Of their ability to establish mutual confdenc'
and harmony between the sections. The sec
nonaI grounds upon which they are seeking tS
carry tie pending election have forced us to dis
trust their disposition to regard the Southern
people as equals in the Union Ror worthy TO be
trusted as participants in the common Govern,
ment of their country. They have year by veal
steadily driven from the party in the South mum
bers Of its most considerate and earnest sup
porters, until they have practically destroyed II
in every Southern State. Its revival in the fu
ture would be placed beyond all possibility b.
the success of their present attempt to elect
President by sectional vote, under the hostile
attitude they have made this campaign assume
The nomination of Gen. Hancock has place.
the Democratic party upon the most elevatet
plane of devotion to the Union, the constitu
ton and tho execution of the laws. He ha
pledged the country an administration upon tn
safest and soundest principles of free institu
tions. This pledge is guaranteed by his provet
devotion to the Union and his great public ser
vices, and by the frmness and purity OF hi
private character. We confidently believe tina
his election to the Presidency is the safest an
surest means of removing all remaining OF
stacles to the perfect and peaceful estat
lishment of reconstruction upon the basi
of freedom and political equality and c
restoring complete reconciliation and confdenc
between all sections of the country and anon
all cfasses of the people. The Southern peopl
would then divide upon other issues, with n
regard to race distinctions, and there woul
soon be established q normal condition of pc
htical sentiment and action, conducive alike t
the interests and happiness of both races an
to the general peace and welfare of the Who'll
country.
JOHN Pool, JOSEPH s. FOWLER,
DANIEL COLEMAN, JAMES II. EMERY,
WILLIAM Il. RILEY, GEORGE WILLIAMSON,
SOLOMON Pool, WILLIAM A GURTHRn
JOHN TYLER, e. p. PHELPS
ALEXANDER WHITE.
The signers to the above address ar
all men of note. Mr.. John Pool wa
United States Senator from North Caro-
lima from 1867 to 1773. Mr.. Joseph S
Fowler was United States Senator fror
Tennessee from 1865 to 1871. Mr.. Dar
iel Coleman, of North Carolina, wa
Assistant Postmaster General under tn
administration of Mr.. Van Buren. Nj
james b. Embry, of Kentucky, was {
one time on the bench, and afterwar
became the law partner of Reverb
johnson and ex-senator Doolittle, form
ing the law firm of johnson, Doolittl
& Embry. Mr.. VIM. G. Riley ws