National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-03
a New Depnrttfrn.


A state election was held in Georgia
Tuesday. An election in Georgia is not
an event of character to inspire tho
lover Of republican institutions with
pride. On tho contrary, the citizen who
can rise above partisanship and trace tho
effect of political events in their hearing
upon tho general good of tho country
must view Q Georgia election with gloomy
forebodings. 1T is m Ill day for any state
when tho great MACS of its voters cease to
feel interest in tho award of its govern
ing powers. 1t is still worse for that state
when largo proportion of its citizens
hardly dream of attempting to exercise a
citizens right of suffrage because they
know their voting is farce-that no
possibility exists that their ballots will be
counted rs cast, and that outrage and
murder may bo their reward IL they
should attempt to secure redress for their
Acknowledgement.
The vigorous opposition ofstrong parties,
alert to take advantage of the errors and
shortcomings OF each other, is for the
highest good of tho people. 1t leads
public officials to discharge their trusts
with scrupulous care, and maintains in
tho breast Of the voter healthy and
vigilant interest in tho public affairs Of
his community, state, and country. But
in Georgia, as in other southern states, q
cruel and rolentless spirit has dushed out
all opposition to democracy through the
unsparing use Of violence and fraud.
The result is that the controlling party,
deprived of tho inspiring attrition of
strong, FREQ opposition, has fallen into a
condition of dry-rot in which the citi-
zon's right of suffrage has SO little value
that only mcager percentage of its
members think il worth while to take
tho trouble of voting. Mr.. Mcdaniel will
take his Office as governor of the great,
rich state of Georgia by virtue of an
election in which probably no more than
20 per cent. Of the states voters partici-
pated. 1t is not an Endorsement that he
can justly take pride in.
The republican national committee, be-
lieving that tho time is ripe for awaken
ing the south from this unhealthy condi-
| tion of political death-in-life, has just
opened branch headquarters in Nash
vile, Tenn, and from thence issued an
| admirably phrased address to the people
of the south. The committee takes for its
text Mr.. Blaine's utterances that ''tho
south needs capital and occupations, not
controversy" and that the southern states
which have already entered upon career
of industrial development and prosperity
should not lend their electoral votes to
destroy their own future" and seeks to
awaken in tho south tho same lively
spirit of interest in questions of material
progress as affected by political policies
that characterizes political contests in the
north. The great natural resources of the
south, the industrial beginning already
made, and the paramount interest of that
section in the continuance of the republic
can tariff doctrines are clearly set forth.
Quoting further from Mr. Blaine's gem
erous and friendly expressions toward the
south, the address says:
1t is to carry out the spirit OF the language
just quoted that the republican party has come
to the south at this time and frankly appeals
to southern men for Il hearing. Tho republl-
can party is national in its doctrines and pur-
poses. Its tariff has already helped the south
to the industrial beginnings that are SO rich
and full OF promise. In the flllness Of time
the period has now come when the south Il
the one section most sure to become the fore.
most field for enterprise and Investment, If re-
publican economic policies are continued II
will be the crowning glory and triumph of the
republican party, if, through its continued
dominance, all the wastes of the war waged tc
make labor free and armed with the suffrage
shall be repaired by the free and intelligent
labor of the south, protected against the
pauper labor of Europe and aided by the sur
plus aud otherwise idle capital Of the north
In this peaceful, frateTnal, and benefcent Co
operation of all sections, all the old issues vii
die out, all sectional prejudices will fade intc
oblivion, the horrors OF war and the throes o
reconstruction will become as distant mem
ories, and the common prosperity of all part
of our ocean-bound republic will afford com
mon cause Of gratitude, pride, patriotism, anC
brotherly concord.
The bourbonism that does the voting
holds the offices, and has brought about
the present condition Of affairs in tn,
south will do all that lies in its powe
to break the force of this appeal, but 4
breathes spirit that must attract favor
able attention from the greater body tina
has almost ceased to attach value to citi
zcnship. If it leads to supplanting tn
present corroding apathy with renewed
interest in public questions, by pointing
out the intimate association of futur
wealth and prosperity with the presen
+ exercise Of the right Of suffrage, then th'
committee will have rendered servic
, that advances from the plane Of partisan
ship to that of patriotism.