National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-26
Concerning Democratic Complaints.

Nothing more completely establishes
the Bourbonism of the Democracy thar
their inability to comprehend the equa
rights of others. They bitterly denounce
their Republican opponents, charging
upon them constantly an intention to dc
wrong. They declare at this very time
that Republican sympathy with a revolt
by Democrats against their own organ
ization in Virginia is wicked, corrupt, and
dishonorable They brand successful
rebel against their authority, like Ma
hone, as a deserter and traitor. They
claim political ownership over men who
abhor theirpolitical methodsand schemes
and who have not associated with them
for years. If one resists their preten-
sions by explaining his independence,
they quarrel with him. If one explains
what is Objectionable in their party, they
complain that personalities are being in
dulged in. They seldom use the word
Republican, having substituted the cpl
tibet Radical" which is in the South a
term of great reproach. Yet they feel
much nettled if their opponents speak OF
them as Bourbons," which they are, in
stead of as Democrats, which they are not.
Now, all this is by way of preface to what
follows. The most earnest expressions of
opinion on public questions do not neces-
sarily reflect personally on those who diff
fer with such opinions. Ourparties are I'M
fortunately divided On questions involv-
ing the correctness of information as to
facts. The Republicans believe and charge
| that there is systematic suppression or
neutralizing of the black vote at the South.
This the Democrats angrily deny. There
is no room for argument when there is no
agreement as to premises. The Demo-
Gratis themselves are divided as to the
facts. General Hampton, for instance,
admits much that the Republicans COM
plain of. The Democrats generally claim
| that the negroes ruled the South by in
stalling themselves and carpet-baggers
in power. Those carpet-bag" govern
ments were not voted out by negroes.
How, then, did they disappear? This is
the mighty question which makes all the
bad blood. If the Democrats were I'M
able to outvote the Republicans in the
South from 1868 to 1874, how were
they able to do so after that?
Have they any reason to get angry be-
cause We say we do not believe them when
they claim that the negroes are now voting
the Democratic ticket? 1t is true that
Democratic State may become Republi-
can, and that a Republican State may be-
come Democratic; but the causes are gen.
orally known and admitted.
The great difficulty in the way of
calm and pleasant discussion of the stu
alton is that the claims put forth by the
Democratic party do not command the
credence of the Republicans. The latter
regard several of the existing State gov
ernments of the South as usurpations by
minority, established by violence and
maintained by fraud. They see Senators
from those States welding a power
which they do not believe was
ever fairly or lawfully conferred.
1t does not follow that any Sena-
tor on the Democratic side was
party to the violence or the fraud
by which his commission was obtained.
1t is not personal to him to discuss the
political methods of his party, unless he
admits and justifies its proven offenses.
If we are ever to be one people there
must be some mutual approaches by the
contending factions. The only road to
peace is through fair elections. The only
evidence of a fair disposition in this re-
gard will be absolute freedom of political
action. The world will not easily under
stand how there can be freedom of cleo
tons at the South when that freedom is
denied in the United States Senate Why
should men continue to act with the old
Bourbon party if they do not want to?
What crime is involved in opposing that
party? Why should Senate be bound
hand and foot by technical use of rules to
prevent it from voting on resolution
simply because a Senator elected as an |
refuses to vote with the op-
ponents,of that resolution? Political free |
dom is yet worth struggling for 1t does
not exist in this country to-day. 1t does |
noteXistin the Senate ofthe United States. |
To say these things is not indulging in |
personal assaults on Senators, as some |
Democratic journals have complained. 1t |
is exercising the great right of every citi-
zen to entertain and express his opinions
on public questions. 1t is right which
no man forfeits by being chosen to an
Office, and cannot therefore be reasonably
denied to any one who is merely pro-
posed for an office.
Whenever the ballot-box shall every
where be free to all the legal voters the
people will be compelled to divide on
new questions. Until then the tendency
Of the Northern States to political solidity
will increase. Illinois, New jersey, and
Oregon will elect Republican Senators
next year to succeed Davis, Mcpherson,
and Grover. The deadlock has insured
that. In 1884 Ohio, Indiana, Oregon, and
California will elect Republicans, unless
the breaking up of the Solid South shall
obliterate party lines and give us some
less vital issue than national life or politi-
cal freedom to contend for.
Homc-Made Science.
The presence of so many scientists in
the city last week and the effect of their
or some other cause, has
great many amateur philos-