The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-21
The Bloody Shirt Issue.

Inc Bloody Sfirt Issue.
1t now seems probable that John Sher-
man will receive the republican nomination
for presidency, and the bloody shirt issue
comes to the front as the great question on
which the republican party will again appeal
to the country.
Mr.. Sherman is the foremost representa-
tive of the bloody shirt contingent, and his
nomination will mean that this issue will
be pushed more vehemently than ever by
the republican party When Mr.. Blaine
was nominated four years ago, it was GER
tainly his purpose to conduct the campaign
on a higher plane than that to which it was
lowered before its close. His whole course
as public man gave rise to the hope that
he would eschew sectonalism in his cam
paign for the presidency, and that he would
base his candidacy on more solid substan-
tial and patriotic principles. He undoubt-
edly entered the contest with this in view,
and it was not until he saw that he was con-
Quoting what he believed would be a losing
fight, that he raised the bloody shirt; and
in hopes of turning defeat into victory,
waved it before the country with venom
and hostility which surprised even his own
support. Instead of the result being as Mr..
Blaine desired, it insured his defeat and
robbed him of even that kindly feeling which
the people of the south had felt for him.
OF those who stood behind Mr. Blaine,
holding up his hands and lending every
encouragement to his TRADE against the
south Mr.. John S. Clarkson, editor of the
Iowa State Register, and a member of the
national republican executive committee,
was among the most prominent. Mr..
Clarlson has for years been looked upon as
a most bitter, prejudiced, yindictive and
acrimonious enemy of the south, which his
paper has abused with venom almost
inconceivable in its intensity; and when
Mr. Blaine, in desperation, took up the
bloody shirt, he did so with the heartiest
approval of Mr.. Clarkson and his paper.
The country was startled q few weeks ago
by the announcement that Mr. Clarkson
and the Register had experienced COM
pleto change in sentiment about the bloody
shirt. He oponly announced that there was
no chance OF republican success as things
now stood, and that to be successful, it was
necessary to break the solidity of the south.
lie believed that this could be done, if the
republican party abandoned its position Of
hostility and broadened its platform; drop
ping old war issues. and cultivating a
friendly feeling with the white people OF the
south. Since then Mr. Clarkson has been
very emphatic in his position on this ques-
tton. and has continually urged the repub-
lican party 70 take down the bloody shirt
as It's standard, and go before the country
on live and patriotic issues.
Whatever may have been Mr.. Ciarkson's
purpose in adopting this course, he will find
,la. he does not represent the sentiment of
the leaders of the republican party. If he
is candid in the position he takes, he de-
serves credit. and will be sustained by good
republicans throughout the country. How
ever, the men who control the machinery
81 the republican party will not listen 10
him. but will continue their relentless war
fare on the south in hopes that they may
ye. be successful on that issue. 1t IS said