The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-12-01

who were lately their slaves, --but 1t may be
doubted whether these would have tempted
the minority to commit the wrongs that
have been committed unless there had been
the proyocation of exasperating misrule
Governor d. Il. Cham aerla1n, the last Re-
publican governor of South Carolina has
said, "The men who overthrow us in that
fight (lS76) were the robbers and knaves
who in six years OF power, from 1868 to
1915, in South Carolina, had ruined her
credit, covered her with debt, made her
taxes intolerable, and SO ght to fill even her
judicial offices with ignorant and degraded
partisans."
These being the facts, we very much fear
that the wrongs by which the white Demo
Gratis secure control of their local govern
ments, as well as aid the Northern Demo-
Gratis to obtain control of the national adj.
ministration and Congress, will not soon
be abandoned in those States where the ne
groes acting together would be able again to
rule in local affairs. Nor do we see how Re-
publican national administration can accom-
plish much by way of prevention. The revolu-
ton was accomplished during the admins
trations Of President Grant and President
Hayes, the latter dong as to South Caro-
lima, Louisiana aHd Florida what his prede-
cessor had done as to Mississippi, Arkansas,
Georgia and other States. they abandoned
the ffortto protect by executive interference
the Republicans in these States from the re-
suits of the illegal and wicked election de-
vices of the Democratic minority. That pol
icy can never be resumed, and it is delu-
sion to imagine it can be resumed. For bet
ter or for worse it is a thing of the past.
Can Republicans then do nothing TO help
correct this blighting denial of the great
principle OF the right of the majority to
rule? they can do much and they will fail
in duty II they are not active aud Instant
With heir influence to correc it. The
protest must not cease. Everywhere and al
ways the sacredness and invioabilisy of the
freeman's suffrage must be maintained.
Everywhere and always whoever sanctions
or connives at the wrongful usnrpation of
power by minority must be rebuked
~HN NSboShidONs tuHunJ
and unofficial investigation let the truth
of each outrage be ascertained and mace
known. But this is not all. Repubi-
cans are under an CD igalion to do all that
may be done to educate the masses of the
Southern people, white and back, to truer
understanding and appreciation of the du-
ties aud responsibilities of citizenship. The
colored race viii be less feared in politics 10
those States where it is powerful by reason of
numbers Sben it better understands the prin-
clples Of good government and the limita-
tons of delegated power. The white race
will be less willing to be unjust when it real
ICES how surely injustice tends 10 reiard
prosperity and warn off migration and in
vestments.
Few people consider how vast and intri-
cate problem emancipation has imposed
upon this country to be solved. It is likely
to vex our statesmen for long time Who
ever thinks it can be settled by an election,
or by some political stratagem. is mistaken.
1t will not be settled until 1t is settled right.
and in manner satisfactory not only to the
freed race bat to those who are most imme-
diately associated with that race in political
relations. The solution will be reached step
by step 1t is important that no mistakes be
made, aud more important still that If mis-
takes are made they shall be promptly recti-
fed. Owing to the nature of the case, and
to the peculiar relations of State aud federal
powers, the problem must be worked out 10
the States themselves by the operation of So
ciai influences, business considerations, edu-
cation and the healing power of Time. Those
outside of these States can aid the progress
by making plain the fundamental principles
of Republican institutions aud bringing to
bear on public sentiment in every legitimate
way the high instruction of justice.