National Republican., 1880-12-10
Concerning er.Cnnfedcrntes.

We have some plain words TO say on
the spirit, (which we believe eliminates all
thinking Republicans in relation to that
portion of the American people who adj
hered to the late confederacy.
/. The fact that man was confeder-
ate does not prove that he now has any
desire TO oppose the Union or its laws.
On the contrary, there is abundant evil
dence that great numbers of ex-confed-
crates view with disgust and Indignation
The mulish and impracticable conduct of
the hopeless Bourbon element, and are
ready, if permitted to do 50, TO aid in its
destruction as political power, and in
the maintainance of law and the protec
ton of the equal rights of citizens.
ii. The fact that man adhered to the
Union cause during the civil war does not
prove that he now has any objection to
the villainous methods by which the solid
political South is able to stamp out Re-
publiCanism in that section in the inter-
est of the Barnum and Hewitt class of
Northern Democratic politicians. On the
contrary very large number of the most
unroasoning Democrats of to-day were
Union men during the war.
III. Whenever n few brave and en-
lightened ex-conlcderates are found strug-
Cling to make their less progressive neigh
bors see the right, they are entitled to the
highest respect and the warmcst en-
couragemcnt from the Republican party,
after they have made good their profes-
sions by acts. Instead of this il cannot
he denied that there is sometimes too
much distrust, too much narrowness, and
peradventurc, fear lest new comers into
the ranks may prove uncomfortable rivals.
Let us beware of the lcaven of the Phari-
secs.
". The Republican party is not joint
stock association based on spoils; it is
the majority of the people, earnest in adj
vocacy of the right, and welcoming at all
times to its ranks such of the minority as
can be persuaded to change their political
course. Indeed, it would be the highest
duty of the Republicans in any State
where they are minority to sacrifice non
essentials-including even a name-if
thereby enough could be recruited from
the majority to redeem the State from
Democratic rule This, of course, should
never be done at the sacrifice of any cor
rect principle. The next national contest
would vindicate the wisdom of this policy
by the increased strength of the party.
V. If there are Republicans anywhere
u1,n 1nlirn fn Eanr, thn small for
any selfish purpose, or who honestly repel
political association on liberal basis be-
cause they think it duty to exclude all
but original Republicans, they ought to
be regarded as Bourbons requiring edu-
cation, or as mcrcenarioS requiring dis
cipline. These are general principles,
and any one who reads this will know
best whether or not they have application
anywhere within his own experience.
VI. In conclusion, if we are to have
peace and progress, obedience to law
must be a passport TO our respect. The
Republican party must be broad enough
for all patriots who honestly believe in
our amended Constitution, and the power
and duty of the Nation to enforce it. A
confederate brigadier, who now stands
bravely out in opposition to the unrecon-
ciled of his former associates, is n good
political companion, while a Union major
general, who is the flvorite of the Bour-
bons, is not to be trusted. Let us ever be
ready to open wide the doors of our party
to receive tried friends of the new Ma
ton, and, if need be, go out and meet
them on the open plain of Liberalism
Law, and Order.