National Republican., 1880-05-20
A DISEASE AND IT'S REMEDY.


A readjuster meeting held in Richmond
one night last week was greatly disturbed
by the hootings and riotous behavior of
young men and boys, sent there, it is said
by those opposed to the views of the persons
who called the meeting. or course the
Richmond Wing is very indignant at the
attempt to suppress free speech and prevent
a discussion of political questions. The
Commonwealth condemns those who disturbed
the meeting, but calls it "the thoughtless
freak of few boys and youths"
The incident shows how certainly loose
practices, encouraged to obtain momentary
political advantages, remain to plague the
very men who thought they could control
the bad elements they had set in motion.
To suppress the lawlessness winked at when
it wns useful in overawing the colored re
publicans will tax the patience of conserva-
tive men all over the south. A determined
effort seems to be making in South Carolina
| to this end. We referred q few DAYS ago
to General GARYs letter urging law
against the carrying of deadly weap-
ons. The press of the state has taken
up the question and appears TO be unan-
nous in demanding q reform of customs in
this respect South Carolina finds that she
is reaping what she sowed Every drop of
blood shed at Hamburg and Ellenton is
being required of those who inspired its
shedding. From every act of violence from
every threat, from every tissue ballot has
sprung tendency fatal to the peace and
prosperity of the state In suppressing the
republican party the democratic politicians
have undermined the foundations of their
commonwealth.
The people of New Orleans are also call
ing loudly for protection against turbu-
lent minority of their population. A re-
form in police methods or change of the
personal of tn force is demanded in order
that the rowdy element may be thoroughly
suppressed. In Georgia the moonshiners
have demoraized the population of thirty
counties by their resistance to law. The
politicians heve palliated their violence and
have denounced the officers of the revenue
as tyrants aud oppressors, until the section
is infected with something little better than
the brigandage of the Abruzzi.
1t has been so all over the south. That
. section is daily losing ground in comparison
with other sections of the union The
great stream of foreign immigrants refuses
to 90 southwark. The wel-to.do, strong
and firm-hearted go west; the poorer re.
main in the eastern and middle states, in
mines, as servants or as mechanics the
negroes, too, crowd north ward. The south
is avoided, while the north and west are in,
creased by this overflow of muscle, brains
ana money. We are sorry that il is so
but there is no room for surprise.
There is some hope, however, that there
will be a reform in Southern practices which
will bring in time relief from its punish,
ment.
The Ncrs and Courier of Charleston, S. C.
shows in the following extract that the evil
is seen, IN all its dire proportions:
No country can call itself civilized where
men habitualy go armed aud so often in.
I famed by ardent spirits, No country can be
| one desirable for settlement where, in the
sanctuary Of justice itself death dealing instru.
meuts are hung about the bodies Of frequenters
there. The people of South Carolina, who are
IN a vast majority, peaceable, law.abiding aud
temperate, should see to it that a circle as
. strong as that OF holy church shall be drawn
a around the courthouse and the polling booth,
!, aud that no drunkard or walking arsenal shall
" polute that hallowed ground. The broken
o hearts Of women plead for it; the cries Of or.
a phans demand IL; outraged society insist.
upon IL the good name of the south require.
D ii. Even the dead wh0 have been summoned
!. hence untlmely and in CORY shrouds, warn tho
!. living that the reputation that comes from
dark aud bloody ground " is not a thing t.
J be proud of, but rather reprobatcd and eter
= nally deplored
r Cause and effect are here distinctly
r, pointed out and the remedy is sought il
c the proper direction When the court
o house and "polling- booth are surrounded
q by u circle of citizens who respect law an,
), who are no respecters of persons; when Tia,
. polling booth is as sacred from the walk
@ ing arsenal" and the ballot-box stuffer
n then, indeed may the south call itself civil
r lied and become desirable rs a place q