The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-09-10

men-men loyal to the nation, loyal to liberty
men tolerant OF the rights OF others-men who
love labor. II is suffering for the want OF stall
wart Republicanism.
/ am anxious to see all sections of our coun-
try reconciled, but want them all reconclled
TO good government to liberty and to rigid
enforcement OF all the laws Of the nation. The
laws enacted by the States OF the south discrim-
mats in favor of the whites, and are far from
being impartially executed. The schemes for
repudiating honest debts by southern States
and cities receive no censure by Democrats In
the NORTH and the lawlessness and violence
practiced there are never condemned by them,
but invariably denied.
s1The north ID asked to vote for Hancock be-
cause OF the herolsm displayed by him on the
battle fields OF the war for the Union. IL this
be good reason for elevating man to high
office, | think you will agree with me that it is
new, very new doctrine in the Democratic
faith; and on account OF its extreme yoath IT
should be handled with great care; for If urged
too hard it may wither before it blossoms. 1t
may be truly said that my mind has undergone
considerable change upon this southern ques-
ton within the past two years
l think you will agree with me that, as Dem
ocrats, We have'not always adhered TO the same
political IDEAS
In 1861, as Democrats, we opposed coercion,
and denied any authority in the constitution for
it. We have not adhered to this very strictly
we think the constitution little more than
compact, operative only during the pleasure OF
the States.
We opposed the issue of the Greenback aud
maintained that it was unconstitutional to make
1t legal tender. We have modified our views
somewhat upon this question.
We opposed the arming Of the blacks, and
were never accused of being very enthusiastic
over the arming OF the whites. We found, how
ever, that the blacks did not impair the effcien-
cy OF the Union army.
In 1884, as Democrats, we declared the war
failure in 1865 we concluded that we might
have been mistaken, though we never thought
it right 10 talk about such slight mistakes.
We opposed negro suffrage, and do not re-
member that we ever did give it a very hearty
support-stll we accepted it (when we could
not avoid IT'D and 90 not now say anything
against IT.
We opposed the constitutional amendments,
and after their adoption declared them revolu-
tionary and void. We accepted them, however,
IN 1876, and General Hancock says they are all
right now.
We have both opposed and favored resump
ton.
We have said it was unwise TO elect Republi-
cans to Office, and still we selected the most
radical one we could find in that party for our
standard bearer in 1872.
We have bitterly opposed the election OF mil
itary men to civil Offices. On this subject we
have changed, radically changed.
If experience were good teacher Democrats
ought to be thoroughly posted upon the polti-
cal issues OF the age, for they have been on ev-
cry side OF oil political questions that have ag-
tated the country for the past 20 years.
If you wish to continue this shifting, oscllat-
ing course you may do so; but as for myself
am wearied Of it. There has been no time in
the last Is years when we, as Democrats, could
retire at night with any assurance that our par
ty leaders would not have some new political
dose for us in the morning. 1t has been march
and countermarch. We have begged our lead
ers to take advance steps-to lay hold Of pro-
gressive ideas, instead Of adopting them after
they had been made popular by tue Republican
party.
The leaders OF the Democratic party have
been weak and vascillating-always trying some
puerlle scheme to WIN.
Instead of grasplug those living principles
and progressive ideas that electrify snd wiz the
hearts of the people, they have kept us digging
in political grayeyards for the remains OF dead
issues.
They have kept US in the rear shooting paper
wads at Republicans in the van. and every time
we hut the enemy the only effect was to give it
a boom. The shifting, fault-6nding, non-pro-
gressive and confessedly mistaken course which
the leaders have forced the Democratic party to
pursue for the past 20 years has shaken the
confidence and wearisd the patience OF its indie
pendent thinking members. have conversed
with several Democrats during the past month,
who view the subject as do, but who have not
the courage to openly declare their views, but
they will be heard from at the ballot box in No
vember.
Yours truly, JOHN CARVETH.