National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-17
" The National Republican and
Southern Politics,


ton that they have united in recon-
mending to their constituents the pro-
priety of supporting and circulating THE
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN as one of the best
means Of accomplishing this desired re-
suit. Among those who have thus in
dorsed our policy is Colonel G. w. Jones,
of the Fifth Congressional District of
Texas. The Democratic press of Texas
is giving wide circulation to his letter,
and are charging it as an evidence that
Colonel Jones has gone over to the Re-
publicans. We beg leave to express our
obligations to our Democratic contempo-
raries of Texas for their kindness in CIV
ing such a boom TO the letter of Colonel
Jones, as it will thus be brought to the
attention of many who would not other
wise have had any knowledge of it, and
will certainly very largely increase our
subscription list in the Lone Star State
The policy that we are presenting to
the consideration of the Southern people
has nothing in it of mere partisan
character but has the higher and nobler
aim of enfranchising the people of the
South and freeing them from the politi-
cal intolerance and violence that have
crushed out in many States all free
thought and free action, and reduced the
\ majority of their people to the degrade
ton of being ruled and governed by the
minority. This condition of affairs is
contrary to every principle of republican
government, and cannot be longer main
tanned without danger to free institu-
tions. Where the rights of the humblest
citizens of the States are denied the
rights of all are endangered, and this fact
is being realized by the more thoughtful
and rejecting people of the South.
They are becoming restive under the rule
of the oligarchy of Bourbon leaders that
for several years have controlled the
Southern States and this feeling has
found vent in the election of several in
dependent Representatives to Congress.
To these independent Representatives,
who are Independent, and not mere
whippers-in for the Democracy, we give
our cordial and hearty sympathy and
support, without regard to the fact that
they may call themselves Grcenbackers
or Independents, for they are fighting
the battle of freedom, which, when won,
as it will be, will enable free people to
make free choice in party affiliations and
give to them free voice and vote in the
affairs of both State and Nation. In their
contest they will also have the sympathy
and support of every liberal minded man
of the North, unless the Democrats go
back on the declaration of their leader
in the late presidential contest in favor
of a fr &C vote and n fair count. And they
will receive the support of the National
Administration, which can give then,
material aid and comfort in their battle
5 for the liberty of the citizen and the
, rights of manhood.
Under the present condition of affairs
in the South the number of Republicans
= who are driven or who stay away from
the polls is constantly increasing with
, each recurring election, and if it contin
ues the Republican party will soon di.
minish to mere squads of oflice-holder'
, and place-hunters in the several States
, as was 70 formerly the case with the Demo
Gratis in Massachusetts, and thus become
; disturbing element to the party in ma
tional conventions by the facility will
which they may be manipulated for {
J consideration, by ambitious and intriguing
party chiefs. The continuance of sucl
an unhealthy system would eventually
result in danger to the national organiza
ton, and hence it is far preferable Il
the Republican party that an.
Independent movement should sue
ceed in the South rather than
that the party should be weighed
down by an holding oligarchy
: not unlike that of the Bourbon leaders il
: the South, with no principle of action bu
that of securing to itself the spoils of office
t Nothing but a strong, healthy, and vigor
Gus opposition party can secure good gov
, ernment to the people, and our policy
Z for the South is to build up such party
f out of all the elements of opposition tc
Bourbonism. In this contest we hav,
, enlisted for the war, BY the overthrow
= of Bourbonism in the South the funda
+. mental principles of the Republican party
l will be vindicated and the Southern
t States relieved from an odious despotisn
that has kept out immigration, the innu1
$ of capital, prevented the education of tn,
| people, and checked the march of civiiza
= ton and progress in all that section of ou
country.