New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-20

uLNhtbAL OhuhO ~ EAlfND AtO AMI
COMFORT TO THE PRESCRIBED AND FAITHFUL
REPUBLIcANs-A TRIBUTE TO THE CoLoRED
RACE,
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
MENTOR, Ohio Jan. 1O-Sevou Republican
leaders from different parts of tho extreme South
are here to-day Most of them are of Southern
birth and several were officers in the rebel army.
After the war they became Republicans, and have
shown themselves worthy of the name. For obvious
reasons they do not wish to have their visit to Men
tor known at the present time If THE TRIBUNE
correspondent were permitted to give their names
they would be recognized at once representative
men of the white Republicans of the South.
These gentlemen came to Mentor. not to urge any
personal claims for office. but to impress upon Gen.
era Garfied's mind the necessity Of giving the full
est possible recognition to the sraightOut working
Republicans Of the South. They say that official
favors shown to Southern Democrats do great harm
by discouragng and disgusting the frmest Repub-
cans, and by making the disloyal Democrats moro
defiant. When Democrats are appointed TO Office
under Republican administration they taunt
Republicans with boasts Of superiority and declare
that Democrats are appointed because there not
enough competent and honest Rerub-
licans to fill the Offices. The fact
is that there are Republicans of high
character. both white and oOlored. Ia every
Southern State. who are moro capable and trust
worthy than the majority of the DemOcrats and
lf-DemOcrats who are now filing some Of the
Federal Offices in the South
In regard TO the negroes The TRIBUNE cor
respondent made special inquiries OF one Of the
party Who was a Confederate officer Of high rank
and whose present business gives him the Oppor-
tunities for observing all classes Of people .
"Well" said he. we who willing to learn
the truth and acknowledge it, confess that are
astonshed by the progress which the colOred people
are making. In my State a system OF pnblic schools
was put in operation under the Republican State
Government, which we had for a few years after the
war. But when the Democrats obtained control Of
the State the school laws wererepeaed, aud are
now without free schools Yet interest in popular
education has been awakened. and many schools are
maintained by private patronage. The most earnest
supporters of these schools the colored people,
and moro coOred children than white obtaining
q common school education. II this goes on
az il will for ten years more the effect will be won
derfnl in the character and standing of the negro
population. Why, sir already some OF tie most
brilliant men we have III tie SOnth are of the Airi
can race. They acquire knowledge and develop
intellectually with astonishing rapidity. In time
their example will stimulate the poor whites 20 do
more for the education of their children and the bet
ter class of whites will be compelled 10 acknowledge
the merits and respect the nights Ot mauhond that
dS1cIld ltSCh III oPitV VI NSHNNA''o ~ "'h'NN'"b
slavery
This favorable opinion OF the colored people and
their future was cOucurTed in by other gentlemen OF
the party. The corresponding conYetsed VITA all
these gentlemen, as he has with many other South
ern Republicans aud he has not yet found one who
was not decidedly stalwart in opinion. All are IN
favor of fair dealing with Southern Democrats, but
are opposed TO ali concessions and compromises.
The most conservative Southern Republicans who
have visited Mentor are the cOlOred men who
were here last week. The most stalwart
and radical arc those who call themselves
reconstructed rebels. They strongly advise strict
abb .rence to party organization and the appoint
ment of none but Aearnest, active Republicans 10
Federal offices. 1hey declare that snCh policy is
not dictated merely 10y partisan feeling but that the
moral and material interests OF all classes will be
advanced thereby.
do you think that General Garfield agrees with
you In these views - asked The TmBUNE cores
pondeut.
:" We DO not dOubt IT," answered All xRebel
Colonel. 1--WE expect his administration to be one
Of the most brilliant that this country has seen.
But to be 50, it must DO thoroughly Kepubllcan No
In N knows thus better than General Garfield, and
we are confident after seeing him. that 40 has tine
will and the ability TO pu r that will re-
from enemies and convince them that 1t Is folly
TO continue the prescription and persecution OF Re
publicans"
Il is noteworthy that the views expressed by the
representative white Republicans who arc mere to-
day sgree all respects with those OF the cOlOred
leaders who were here last week.