National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-11

slavery was itself the leading rebel,
and they sought TO swell the
Union forces by deprecating omancipa-
ton This was most illogical, MS sub
sequcnt events demonstrated, but it was
honest. After the war these pro-slavery
Unionists, welded to their opinions on
the negro question, preferred the political
association of the pro-savery confeder-
ates with whom they had just been in
conflict to that of the Republican Union
lists, who favored emancipation and en-
reimbursement And so the Democratic
party of Kentucky since the war has been
made up of nearly all the old pro-slavery
element without regard to previous action
during the war. The Union Democrats
think they have not however, been
treated rs the equals Of those who
served in the confederate army.
They say they have been regarded
as tainted with the African odor,
which the true Bourbon scented in the
blue uniform of the Union. They have
been considered "lishy," and have not
been trusted. This discrimination has
shown itself in the conventions of the
party, where the eX-confederates have
usually borne off the honors.
The devotion of the Unionists to the
old Democratic traditions as to negroes
has not been sufficient to atone for their
fidelity to the State and the Nation dur
ing the war. This may be called di-
vision of Bourbonism against itself The
real simon-pure Bourbon demands Il
continuance of the days of mourning,
not alone for slavery, but for the confed-
cracy. The more moderate Democrat is
willing to mourn for the good old days of
slavery, but not for the dark days of the
rebellion.
The result of all this is that the nomi-
nation of a confederate to be clerk of the
Court of Appeals has aroused the ire of
the Union Democrats. They feel that it
is n defiance of them, and they revolt.
They say it is the last feather on the
camels back. A loud protest Isl being
| heard, and q conference has been called
for the 2Sth instant to take steps for
placing in the field an independent cam
NllNulC. lllC lNCluDllCuIlS arc
together, and will no doubt decide to
stand by the men who have the courage
to rebel against the Bourbon yoke. This
is the natural thing to do. Not to do it
would seem the highest degree of folly
always supposing that such a course is
not made impossible by the manner in
| which the canvass is made.
OF course it would be no gain for the
Republicans to support candidate upon
n platform which would mortgage him to
the very Boutbons TO beat whom he had
been nominated. He would not then de.
serve any but Bourbon support. On the
other hand, the Republicans ought to be
content with absolute independence on
the part of the candidate, and deem it O
victory to defeat the Bourbons by an ALI
ance with an unpledged party. Those
who revolt against Bourbon tyranny will
not again have fellowship with their
former masters. 1t is best to trust to the
chemistry of politics to work out the
question of future affiliations.
The following letter, addressed by a
very prominent Republican, now in this
city, to friend in Kentucky, is so full Of
sense and patriotism that we incorporate
it into this article for the instruction oil
all who read THE REPUBLICAN:
FEBRUARY 7, 1852.
| MY DEAR SIR: Your valued favor of the I'd
instant reached me yesterday and has received
my earnest attention. The revolt of the Union
war Democrats against the Bourbons of Kentucky
| IL ihprnnphly instfpl npOl tho highest prOun1 n
political morality. Kentucky Tennessee, 0nt
Missouri border States during the war, became
the theatre for the enactment of some Of the mos
dreadful tragedies, by confederate guerrillas eve
perpetratcd in the annals of civilized war, and ye
Ewhen the war ceased the men who adhered to thC
Union, and by whose suilrages those State
were under the control and government o
Union men, admitted the confederate
to the ballot upon equal terms with them. VIVA
has been the result? An exhibition ofingratitud
as black MS midnight. In yoior State q large pro
portion ofthe men who fought for the Union con
tinued their allegiance to the Democratic part
instead of their devotion to the Union and thei
magnanimity to the confederates standing then
IN hand as SO much political capital, these thing
were reproach and disability; they did not a
any time occupy their positions in the Democrat
organization upon terms of equality with thos
who struggled TO drag Kentucky from the Union
Besides all this the Union Democrats hay
10 doubt inwardly condemned the reaction
airy spirit constantly exhibited by the Bourbons
and their want Of those progressive tendoncle
| which have secured to ncighbOrng States create
protection TO life and splendid opportunities TO
the education Of the children. II must be kept II
mind that the Union Democrats of Kentucky
although borne away from the Republican or
ganizaiion by causes which seemed TO them jus
tiiable, must necessarily have in their heart o
hearts profound sympathy and respect for Re
publican people, and have no doubt that to- day
seventeen years after the great struggle for III
Union, they arc enabled to sec moro clearly tina
ever before the stupcndous criminal folly of tn
rebellion and the grandeur Of the cause the
cspoused In 1861 aud the absolute justice and wiz
dom of those great measures which resulted froI
the war. And Npprehond that these patriotic me
ut times are led TO doubt the wisdom Of the courS
they have pursued in respect to political aillia
lions. To me this movement seems to be the rC
suit Of motives so honorable, deep-seatcd, an
fOrcible that am constrained to the opinion Thu
the hour has struck for a breach in the Democrat
party, and | think that every proper encourage
ment should be given to IT, Political aiilil
tons when made should always have n GOO
end in view, and the eild If good, justines the anil
alton. Republicans demand universal libert
equal protection TO all under just laws, the educi
ton OF the masses at the expense Of tho State, an
the breaking down of the Bourbon spirit of into
erance. The Union Democrats propose to strugg
. 10 accomplish the same purposes These are priI
clples upon which the progressive men Of vol
State, without reference to former party prGdile
J tions, can honorably unite for the overthrow
I Bourbon rule and sincerely trust that this NOV
ment, which is SO full Of promise for your peopl
may be successful. Very truly yours,
! - -.
Let the Laws BE Enforced.
In New Mexico and Arizona there