Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-05-24
Not Yet Completed.

The return of the season OF flowers
again calls the people of this country to
the duty of decorating the graves Of the
patriot dead. Standing by the mounds
that mark the spots where lie the ashes of
those who sacrificed their lives that this
government might live. we cannot forbear
rejecting upon the results acheived by
the destruction of the Coniederacy. Nine
teen years have come and gone since the
rebellion was overthrown. The old flag
waves everywhere over the land in indis-
puted supremacy. Slavery has gone,
peace reigns. The growth OF the nation
in population and wealth. in the develop
ment Of its resources. in the increase of
its manufactures and the yield of its ag
ricultural products. in the spread of edu-
cation and the cultivation of the arts.
has been wonderful since the date when
the final surrender took place at Apo
mattox. Surely we may say as we crown
with flowers the turf above the dust of our
gallant dead. this nation has been pros
rcrcd since Its baptism of blood as never
before in any equal period Of its history.
Even the Union stands more firmly than
before the bloody contest. and govern
ment by the people and for the people is
seen to be stronger than the rule of des-
potic and autocratic nationalities
But while this is true there yet remains
the solemn fact that the great work in
which our Uaion soldiers shed their pre-
cious blood is not yet completed. At every
election which occurs In the Southern
States We read the CHASTITY intelligence
that men hAye been Murdered. driven
from their homes, persscuted like dogs.
because they attempted to exercise the
right and privilege Of voting as their judg-
msnt and conscience dictated. This wick.
cd state Of things has been carried on In
the South since the so called recoastruc-
ton of the Southern States. Fair and free
voting and an honest count are unknown
in those States. Whatever violence is
necessary to suppress. trample out. de-
stroy the power of the opposition to the
democratic party in that section is en-
ployed. Read the report Of the Senate
investigating committee that went to
Mississippi and examined the facts in re-
lation to the murder of Matthew'S at CO.
piah because he intended to vote for and
uphold the republican ticket. See the
verdict Of the jury in that case recently
rendered. In which Wheeler was found
snot guilty" though he confessed the
crime and his guilt Was too manifest for
denial. making il plain to all understand
ings that murder is no crime In Mississippi
when done to promote the success of the
democratic party. Are these things right 2
Can that be called republican government
in which the ruling power Is the shotgun.
and the minority controls the majority By
force and fraud nfW
We desire friendly relations with the
South. but how can there be trust. friend.
ship, good will. even tolerstiou, when the
people of the North are asked to endorse
the crimes that are perpetrsted in the
South against black and white indiscrimi
nately. in the name and for the benefit o
the democratic party' We know it jars on
the ears Of some to hear these bloody
facts rehearsed. but the cry OF innocent
blood cannot be stifed. the demand for re.
dress will make itself felt and the remedy
viii come sooner or later. For . lons
time the people of this country clesed theil
ears and hearts against the curse ot islav