National Republican., 1883-11-19
the brutal perpetrators to commit these dOods


swiftly aud completely, Is not matter OF
doubt IL IL truo that bOurb0nism has gained
q triumph upon q campaign OF iaisohoou anu
deception, by appeals TO passion, ana ny
barbarous resolve to shed as much inhocont
blood rs was necessary TO its success 1t IS
true that by fair means and by foul 1t has
procured q temporary majority. Ana yet IL
is equally true that the majority OF our poo
plo are conservative at heart, and abhor
falsehood and violence.
Already tho voice of those who wero de-
luded, bohOlding the injury thcy have done
their own interests under tho false excite
ment by which they were infamed, begins to
he heard. Already, even among those who
have heretofore acted with this revolution
ary faction, men begin to realize that tho dcs-
peratc ngtators and promoters of these out
ragcs cannot be trusted to control the dos
TIMES Of peaceful commonwealth. Already
the voice of the nation is upliited against this
awful outbreak in n state heretofore regarded
rs peaccful and liberty loving. Already the
cry of "This way. Froomnn" has become
known rs mocking threat that, unless You
are q bourbon freeman, your life, your liberty,
and your enjoyment of your political rights
are nj the mercy of band ns lawlCsS rs high
waymen and as desperate MS outlaws. The
motto of bourbonism, interpreted by tho
blaze of their weapons, reads: Unless you
are bourbon freeman you shall be the bour-
If this ho overdrawn, whero is tho first word
of censuro from any sO.callcd democratic
source. in or out of tho state, of the crimes
which arc but feebly set forth in this re-
cital2
The FIGHT AGAINST BouRBoNIsM MUST
GO on
Under these circumstances what course
shall readiusters pursue honceforthP Is
it true, as asserted by our enemies, that
we are hopelessly crushed? Arc We to dis
band, cowed and demorali2cd, aud leave tho
fiold in the undisputed possession OF the
bourbons2 Shall some of us make terms of
peace and surrender with our foes, while
others retire in sullenDess, silence, and sub
mission, to await more propitious oppor-
tunity for reorganization and resistance?
Fellow citizens of the rcadiuster party, for
myself and s0eaking doubtless Oh behalf
of thousands OF Virginians Us truo and bravo
as any of our sons, while deploring as much
as any one the disaster which has Overtakon
our cause / am thankful for this opportunity
to proclaim now, surrounded by temporary
clouds and darkness, as boldly and defantly
as when our cause was bathed in sunshine,
that our hearts are firmly and forever fixed
to tho immutable principles of liberty aud
human right, as announced by the liberal
platform; and that the fight shall go on
against the bigotry and violence of bourbon
ism as long as it shall please God to spare our
lives for the struggle.
When we began this contest we were in o
minority. Those who enlisted under tho
banner of readjustment came to no victorious
camp to win laurels in campaign OF certain
victory, aud they made no terms that defeat
should grant them their discharge. They
came to u standard which had no victory EN-
blaaoned upon it, they enlisted for the
war; and, to-day, gathered around it in its
first defeat, they can yet read upon its battle-
Scared folds u splendid tale of victories
which they themselves have won, and reform
for triumphs more glorious than any tina
have gone before.
NATIoNALIsM, HUMAN RIGHTS, LIBERTY,
PEACE. MANHOOD, AND REPUBLICAN GOV
ERNMENT.
The scope Of the readjuster party has en-
larged with its age and growth. 1t originated
in an issue local, and to some extent unpopu-
lar. With time, and the changing issues
which time brings, it has widened its sphere,
and, while its original object has become less
prominent, ISSUES OF NATIoNALIsM, OF
HUMAN RIGHTS, OF LIBERTY, OF PEACE, OF
MANHOOD, OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT,
HAVE BEEN FORCED UPON 1T BY THE FIERCE
ONSLAUGHT OF BoURBoNIsM, until these issues
are broad enough to be national, aud it has
the sympathy of every man in this nation
who loves liberty aud abhors The prescription
and bigotry Of caste, class, and race prejudice
which is the life of bourbonism.
For myself, as your chairman from the
outset CT this struggle | have conceived that
the true duty imposed upon mo by the spirit
OF our party was to wage undying war upon
bourbonism; not only us it opposed the debt
settlement; not only rs it is the enemy OF ed
ucation not only as it is imbecile heartless,
aud wasteful in administration; not only as
it is tho enemy of free suffrage; but as it is
tho enemy of that true democracy which
means that tho humble and weak shall par
ticipate in and be protected by the admin
istration of the government as well as the
powerful and strong,
A GULF WHICH SHALL YAwN FOREVER.
In the effort to perpetuate caste, class and
race rule bv crushing out by force, fraud, or
otherwise the weak and unprotected in this
state,the bourbons have made gulf between
themselves and the readjuster party which
shall yawn forever, for they cannot bridge it,
and we will not.
Let the fight proceed. If we are to be in
the minority in the future, 1T is minority
| struggling for principles as strong and holy
as when they were backed by q majority
| The manhood which sustains them in defeat
proves sincerity and devotion which in due
time must and will be crowned with triumph
But, whether future triumphs come or not, thu
blessings we have secured for Virginia arr
fixed aud indestructible. Our enemies stant
| before us.
We .know that they are our foes and tn,
foes of our commonwealth; that they hav'
in the past paralyzed her energies robbed
her treasury, defrauded and dwarfed her fret
schools, stranged her suffrage brough
national hate upon her, adhered to no prin
ciple, and made terms with any renegade O
prostitute who would aid them. And that the,
have at last triumphed by murder and blood
shed that have disgraced the State. w
know that we have asked for and given n
quarters in the past, that we will accept
mono, and promise none now.
ALL OPPOSED TO BoURBoNIsM SHOULD MAX
COMMON CAUSE.
We know that with bourbonism before u
we have an enemy to fight, powerful an
dangerous to the interests of the state w
know that, masquerading in the stolen liver
of democracy, il is no true representative {
democracy, either in principle or personne
and believe tho readjustcr party will whe
it next meets in council mite cordially an
thoroughly with our friends, state and ma
tional, and make common cause with ther
against tho bourbons, their aidoTs, counsellorS
and abettors, state and national, by whatsc
ever name they may bo designated
repeat, therefore, that the struggl
against bourbonism is TO be renewed forth
with and to tho death, and, as your chairman
i call upon every loyal readjuster In Virgini
TO rally to the standard and reform TO tigf
now battle against their old bourbon foe
the nation al campaign Of 1884.
Bearing In mind the old WatohWord Of
free ballot and a fair count, we have rigl
to demand and expect support from the stat
F.l.