National Republican., 1882-07-20

that so contemplate faction shall not
rule by the bold suppression of the ma
jority, either Jetore or after roiiug in nearly
all of the late confederate States.
The negroes have not the training, the
arms, nor the combative propensity to
force a regard for their political rights.
Federal interference with Federal po-
Hticdl crimes at the South is impracticable
by reason of the opposition of the Demo-
cratic minorities of the North, re-enforced
as they are, and have been for twelve
years, by deserters from the Republican
party. Traitors TO the Republican cause
have falsely and Systematically asserted
that elections were free in the South, and
that the Republicans who declared to
the contrary were slande ring the peace
able Bourbons and waving the bloody
shirt for selfish purposes This treason
to principle became so respectable that
its leading spirits obtained posses
sion Of the government itself, after
an election which hads been carried
mainly through Federal interference"
and vivid presentation to the Northern
people of Southern outrages." AS Ba-
rabbas, the robber, was released by men
who had it in their power to have set
Christ at liberty instead, so in 1877 rcd
handed rioters had the preference over
the survivors of their victims, and Re-
publicanism in the South was done to
DEATH But as the release of Barabbas
resulted in the establishment of the
'Lrfg rplis,;p,, tha trnnnl ar1,t that
placed Bourbonism on the throne twelve
years after Lees surrender is resulting
in the natural and healthy reconstruc-
ton of the South through its own inter
nal forces. We have no regrets for the
failure of the reconstruction policy of
Congress, however we may contemn
those who betrayed it; it had its uses,
and was necessary preliminary to the
more acknowledgements the more dura-
ble-work of the reconstruction of the
South by the South. We simply review
history. .
AS neither the negro then, nor the gen.
eral government, nor both combined,
could enforce the political rights essen
tial to majority rule, that work has of
necessity been left for accomplishment.
to other forces. Happily these have been
found. They are the Democrats who
refuse to resist Manifest Destiny. Num-
bers cannot rule without applying
phi ysical force greater than the resistance
| they meet Where the habit of obe-
dience to law has been incucated, there
is no resistance to overcome. The slave
system taught obedience chiefly to slaves
The enforcement of law in the South,
and the consequent liberation of the
political majority, must come through
division of the phySical forces which
dominate Southern society. The South
ern whites are those forces. They are
dividing into Bourbon and anti-Bour-
| bon-the reactionary and the progressive.
| There will be no peace in this country
until the Bourbon dream of a restoration
shall be dispelled. Nor can there be Sue
cess in the struggle against Bourbonism
until the Republicans in the South shall
abandon the hope Of bringing to their
local party drill the Scared veterans who
fought under Lee, but who are ready to
prove that, like Lee, their surrender was
honest Wheneuer they can fight Bourbonism
in Republican company 'CahoM forswearing
Themselves or aCearing the Republican badges
| of 1856.
These truths should be realized by all
| Southern Republicans who would not
rather see the Bourbons restored in 1854
than see them beaten By a party Jrodd
! enough to embrace the Southern Liberals.
The North is divided. Repubicanism
cannot again prevail over q solid South.
Wisdom invites us to such a course as
will put Republicans and Liberals shoul-
der to shoulder in the fall elections. The
pretty talk about maintaining the integ-
rity of the Republican organization in
the South will be small compensation for
the election of Bourbon House this
year, and u Bourbon President in 1884.
We had better maintain the integrity of
Republican form of government, which
! can only be done by a union of its friends
against its Bourbon enemies. Upon the
general willingness to do this, the elec.
ton, this year, of a House Of Representa-
tives in general accord with the Repub-
lican party appears to us to depend.
| s