The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-09
a POLITICAL BUGABOO.
One of the Republican, FictiOns Dissipate'
by ClevelaHdS Inaugural.

| One of the Republican, FictiOns Dissipated
by ClevelaHds Inaugural.
Not the least of the unscrupulous
methods adopted by the Republican
party to hold on to- power was the at
tempt to scare the negroes of the South
by predicting the most horrible misfor-
tunes for them should the Democrats
ever gain possession of the Administra-
ton. Astounding lies were prcmul-
gated among those people that they
would be subjected to condition of
slavery or at least deprived of all rights
of citizenship. Republican newspapers
came out wish the most audacious state
ments of the hostility OF the Democrats
against the eolored people and Repub-
lican orators warned them of the fate
they might expect should they falter in
their allegiance to them. For time
those methods had the desired effect
and the Democratic bugaboo kept the
colored citizens of the South loyal to the
party in power in Washington. But
after their sad experience of carpet-bag
governments and the collapse of the
Freedmen's Bank they began to think
over the matter more seriously and to
realize that their interests were identi-
fed with those of their former masters,
and that as free citizens they should aid
the white people of the South to estab-
lish sound Government and to de-
velop the illimitable resources of their
section by industry and harmonious
acton. They did so and the result has
fully justified the wisdom of their
course They enjoy not only the bless
ings of freedom, but the rewards of
well-d;rected labor and Their relations
with their former masters are OF the
most friendly and profitable kind.
When the Democratic Administration
came into power at Washington there
was certain feeling of fear among the
negroes, foStered by the mendacious
proclamations of MeSsrS. Blaine, Evarts
& Co. They were led to believe that
some of the first measures Of the party
in power would be directed against
.hem and they awaited the Inauguration
with some anxiety. All their fears van
ished at the ringing words OF President
Cleveland:
In the administration of a Governments
pledged to do equal and exact Justice 10 AL
men. there should be no pTete1t for anxiety
touching the protection OF the freedmen III
their rights, or their security in the enjoyment
of their privileges under the Constitution and
its amendments All discussion as to their
fitness for the place accorded to them -
American citizens is idle and Improbable, cX
cept as il Su ggests the neceSS ty for their I'M
prOvement. The fact that they are citizens en-
titles them to all the rig~tS due 10 that reEa-
ton. and charges them W tn all its duties, oo-
legations and responsibilities.
Now, their leader, Frederick Doug
lass. assures them that those words of
the President removes any cause for fear
that they may have felt and leave moth
ing for The co!ored people to crticise.
The citizen will be guarded in al his
rights, and the constitutional amend
ments are irrevocabie. Thus a bngaboo
has been laid TO rest and the bloody
shirt consigned to the rag-bag. Not all
the eloquence of Blaine. Evarts or Sher-
man can alter the opinion of the col
ored people of the South, that their in
terests are perfectly safe in the hands
of ..MasSa Cleveland" There is moth
ing like truth in the long run. Before
its bright light all the elaborate struet-
ure of Republican lies and misrepre-
sentation is vanishing as an ice palace
in the rays of the sun. The union of
the white and colored people Will be
made closer and more enduring through
the influence of the Democratic Admin
istration.--N ]. Rorld