National Republican., 1883-05-15
The Leading Question.


The Leading Question.
Every day sees tho limo more distinctly
drawn between the protoctionists and the
tree'iradors. Tho old questions arc every
day tecoming less interesting. The people
will not be fed on sentimental political
huski. They are listening to those who
have something to say of their material
interests How to make the pot boil-that
is now tho main question.
The slavery controversy, hidden under
various disguises, ragged from the
admission of Missouri in 1920 to
the abolition of slavery by constitutional
amendment in 1866. What to do with the
conquered SOUTH" and how, with safety,
to let 1t do for itself, has been the leading
question in national politics. Tho discussion
OF this question has postponed its settlement,
and even Che republican party has developed
within its ranks an uneasy element which,
like the old doughfaces, has sought to thrive
by betraying their associates into tho hands of
tho bourbon implacablos The republican
party has been weakened by dissonsions
caused primarily by tho attempt of
'ono of its leaders to please the
southern reactionists. Tho moral sense
of the country has been deadened so far as the
legal rights of tho negro are concerned. If his
enemies are to be prevented from attaining
political supremacy in the nation, it will not
be upon the broad issue of enforcing the laws
which have made him free and promised him
equality, but upon questions connected with
material prosperity. The north will not again
be unit on the issues growing out Of the war.
1t is certain, however, TO rally " very nearly
n solid opposition to the free trade ideas be-
queathed to the democracy by tho necessities
of slavery.
Says John s. Wise, liberal congressman
elect from Virginia, and son of tho Virginia
governor who hung John Brown twenty~three
years ago: "old Harry of the West with his
American system would have swept Virginia
like whirlwind fifty years ago ifthe Virgin
ans had not been slave owners and afraid
to givo too much to the national idea Of ma
tional supremacy. To-day, standing
with slavery abolished, with all her hopes of the
future lying in the development of her
manufacturing resources, her people have as
little fear of federal supremacy as Pennsyl-
vanians, and as high hopes of aggrandize-
mont from the triu mph of tho American sys-
tenn involving pro lection and restoration of
commerce. Gov. Cameron, of Virginia, pre-
diets the rescue of six southern states from
bourbon control in 1884 if the tariff question
is given the, greatest prominence. "I beg
you men of Pennsylvania" he said to
some distinguished visitors "to mako the
tariff the leading issue this fall, so that
these southern states may have time to pre-
pare for the greater battle to follow" Ma
hone was recognized as among the most re-
liabc friends Of protection in the senate at
the late session. Riddlcberger has earnestly ad
vocated protecti N from the stump for three
years past as well as in the newspaper he pub
| fishes at his home. These Virginians are the
leaders of political opinion in their state
They have thrice beaten the whole bourbon
outfit in the Old Dominion, aided, though
it was, each time by some blind and stupid
republicans who could not endure fresh
political air unless their own hands opened
the windows to let it in. 1t is polti-
cal daybreak when Virginia ex-confed-
crates overthrow bat-blind bourbon
ism and free trade in their own
state, in the name of national suprem-
acy and n protective tariff, and place
the men Of their choice in every state office,
in both of Virginia's chairs in the United
the United States house of representatives.
1t is broad daylight when this is done, as it
has been done, by an honest and open coali-
tion with the freedmen, who are to-day as
free in Virginia, and as fully protected by
the laws, as are their brethren in New York
or Pennsylvania.
1t seems time then for northern republi-
cans, who have battled with each other over
non.essentials until the enemy has for the
! time being captured nine no. .thern states, to
respond to the new departure of Virginia,
and learn from her how to unite all
voters who agree as to measures. The
control of this country in the immediate
future belongs to the friends of protection if
they will but unite against the adherents of
the old colonial system. The party which
apologies for protecting American labor on
the ground that by no other means can reve-
nue. DO raised is un-American in its instincts
and impulses, and will be ground to powder il
repu olicans will cease reading each other out
of tho party, and commence reading into the
party all who agree with them upon the tariff
question.
Concerning the Right 10 Bolt.
| Tbo ranuhlican Marty cannot he built nm hv