National Republican., 1883-09-03
Tho south I'm 1854,

opposition to the democracy can be united on
lican nominee. Tho story about n hcadless,
unpledged ticket in Virginia is the coinage
of tho brain Of rank bourbon Malone
hator. In 1880 there was no coalition like
the present one in Virginia, and tho national
convention of the republican party did not
invite the cooperation of the Virginia inde-
pendents. Since then Gen. Malone has
proven his hostility to the bourbon organiza-
tion, and combated it at all times So did
tho readjuster members of congress. AS to
the course the readiusters will pursue in 1884,
that must depend on the action of the national
convention toward them. majority of the
Virginia readjusters are original republicans
Those who were democrats have no preiu-
dices against their friends. If they should find
the deputy bourbon straightouts preferred over
them by our party it would be impossible for
them to agree to that. If q candidate should
be nominated who invited their hostility he
would have it. But they will be likely to
estimate every man by what shall be his de-
liberately expressed judgment hereafter,
rather than BY any hastily formed or un-
kindly expressed opinion in the past. If the
republican party will call for the cooperation
of all who are for the restored union, who
will defend its amended constitution and up
hold its freedom protecting laws, who will
promote free schools and fair elections and
favor revenue tariff with all the protection
to home industry, which can be given
without creating surplus revenue
it will unite oil who are now advocating these
things There is no republican statesman
who would not be heartily supported by the
southern Independents, unless he should be
unwilling to declare in favor of cordial
union with all the opponents Of democracy.
A policy that would exclude any would be
too silly to have any considerable support. 1t
is because we see clearly the road to securing
to the republican candidate for the presi-
denoy, whoever he may be, all tho anti-bour-
bon votes of the south, and because we be-
lieve the work of bourbon disintegration
will give us the electoral votes of sovaral
southern states, that we dwell so much on this
subject. In what we say we have no idea of
pleasing either the democrats or those repub-
licans who have no particular objection to
the democracy. The New York Times, which
represents these latter, said in an editorial on
Saturday: '..f'
The great body of the voters Of either party are
taking very little interest in party action one way
or the other. There is q long session OF congress
to come between now and the national Conven-
tions and during that session both parties will be
on trial. If the democracy behaves with even
half way decencythc course of republicans will
be examined with great care and, We may as well
confess it. with a good deal of suspicion.
1t would be strange indie ed if party cursed
with such advocacy as the above were not
always under suspicion. Ag ain the Times
article says:
The suffrage is by no means safe in the south,
and many of the democratic leaders there are
still inclined to suppress the votes Of tho opposi
tion, But If they should be ever so successful
they could not now restore the arrogant rule OF
the solid south. The coHntry has outgrown that
danger. However mistaken might be its policy In
many ways, and dangerous TO the prosperity of
the country and the credit of the government a
democratic administration. if we should have one,
would be essentially national administration.
Comment is unnecessary. Republicans must
determine how much to trust to tho advice of
journals which coldly betray their cause in
words like those we have quoted. The bour-
bon bloodhound bays as loudly as ever for the
blood of those who would by voting remove
him from the pathway of national progress.
The bold men who defy him in his strong
holds are of course hated by him with double
ferocity. The northern republicans who side
with him against those who have resolved
upon his destruction arc the legitimate
successors of those doughfaces who
before the war were ever ready to volun-
teer in the hunt for a fugitive
from slavery. The time is coming when every
man will have TO tako sides on this question,
Tho Times says that the prominence of GER
tain southern independents in republican
councils "would create very great distrust in
the popular mind Itwould be regarded with
more apprehension than epen the domination in
the democratic councils of The solid south as IL
aOg presents itself. II, with other like tca-
lures in the contest, would compel the voters
to look upon the presidential election as
choice between evils, and that is not likely to
help the republican candidate"
That is to say, the Times and the class of
which 1t is type would consider tho rule of
"the solid south" preferable to that of the
republican party aided by southern men who
revolt against the bourbon party. "The suf.
frage is by no means safe in the south" says
this janus faced paper, but never mind that.
Even a bourbon restoration would be better
than n republican victory shared by southern
independents. This sentiment will not, in
our judgment, find any considerable response
in the republican heart of the north. We
shall see in due time.
-S--
Epldemlcs and Democracy.